Answered on : 2024-07-11
When Gene Autry passed away in 1998, his estate, which was estimated to be worth over $320 million, was primarily inherited by his widow, Jackie Autry [1][3].
### Key Beneficiaries of Gene Autry's Estate:
- **Jackie Autry:** She inherited a substantial portion of his estate, including personal belongings and properties [1][3].
- **Autry Museum of the American West:** Gene Autry's estate plan ensured that a significant portion of his wealth went towards supporting the museum he founded in 1988, reflecting his passion for preserving the history and culture of the American West [3].
- **Stepchildren:** Autry considered his stepchildren from Jackie’s previous marriage as his own, and they also received a share of his estate, although specific details were not publicly disclosed [3].
- **Charitable Organizations:** Several charitable organizations benefited from Autry’s estate. These included the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and the Motion Picture & Television Fund, among others [3].
After Jackie Autry passed away in 2015, her son John Wayne Autry became the sole heir and continued to manage Gene Autry's legacy, including Gene Autry Entertainment [1].