Conway Twitty, the famed country star, died unexpectedly in 1993 at age 59 from an abdominal aortic aneurysm, leaving behind a $15-million estate. His will designated his four children—Michael, Joni, Kathy, and Jimmy—as the primary beneficiaries, inheriting his estate, including rights to his name, music, and image. However, his widow, Delores “Dee” Henry, whom he married in 1987, was legally entitled to one-third of the estate under Tennessee law, sparking a contentious legal battle with Twitty’s children.
The dispute, detailed in the 2011 episode of The Will: Family Secrets Revealed (Season 2, Episode 1), exposed deep family tensions. Dee’s claim to her share led to a multi-year legal saga, with the children fighting to preserve their father’s legacy as outlined in his will. The conflict extended beyond Dee’s entitlement, involving disputes over oral promises Twitty made to employees and family, such as bonuses of $1,000 per year of employment, which the estate later tried to reduce to $100. The Tennessee Appeals Court noted the estate’s executors kept “limited and sketchy information,” siding with Twitty’s daughters in one case against the estate’s claims that loans to them needed repayment.
After over six years of litigation, the Appellate Court of Tennessee ruled in 1999 in favor of Twitty’s children on three of five major issues, securing their inheritance and control over his musical legacy, including his name and image. Much of the remaining estate was sold at public auction after Dee rejected its appraisal value.
The public nature of the feud, aired on The Will: Family Secrets Revealed, drew criticism for tarnishing Twitty’s legacy. Some, including the author of a 2013 article, found the spectacle “embarrassing” and felt it dishonored Twitty, whose music had unified country fans. The legal battles also highlighted Twitty’s informal business practices, as he rarely documented contracts, complicating the estate’s administration.
Twitty’s children, particularly through efforts like the Twitty & Lynn shows by his grandson Tre Twitty, continue to honor his legacy, focusing on his contributions to country music rather than the disputes.