What Was Anthony Bourdain's Net Worth?

Anthony Bourdain was a beloved figure on TV, bringing his viewers to cultures and cuisines across the globe.

His sudden death, by suicide, over three years ago in June 2018 shook fans who grew to adore him on CNN's Emmy-winning series Parts Unknown.

His will was filed by his ex-wife Ottavia Busia-Bourdain. It left most of his estate his daughter Ariane Busia-Bourdain, who just 11-years-old at the time of her father's death.

While his net worth was previously estimated to be upwards of $16 million (£13.54 million), the New York Court record revealed his estate was only valued at $1.2 million (£1.02 million). In 2017 he told Wealthsimple that reported estimates of his net worth "are about ten times overstated".

Bourdain's assets were made up of $425,000 in savings and cash and $35,000 in brokerage accounts, and $250,000 in personal property. There was also $500,000 in intangibles such as royalties and residuals from his TV work and books including his New York Times bestseller and breakthrough memoir Kitchen Confidential.

However, the $1.2 million in the will may not cover all his assets as the document established a trust which does not become public record. The content of the trust is private.

Ottavia was appointed by Bourdain to oversee the trust until Ariane, the primary beneficiary, is able to receive money from the trust when she turns 25. She is able to receive money again at the age of 30 and then receive complete access to the balance when she turns 35.

A documentary about Bourdain was recently rereleased by HBO after hitting cinemas last summer. It shows Bourdain as a chef in New York in 1999 living paycheque to paycheque to the highs of his career.

The documentary was well received in theatre until it was discovered that director Morgan Neville used digitally manipulated audio to recreate the Bourdain's voice for parts of the narration. 

It was rereleased this summer, and despite the controversy, gives insight into the life of the world traveller. It ends in a haze when Bourdain died by suicide while on location in France, filming for Parts Unknown.