Who Inherited Patsy Cline’s Estate? Everything You Need to Know

Patsy Cline was one of the most influential country music stars of the 20th century. Her powerful vocals and emotional performance style helped pave the way for the genre’s mainstream popularity. 

Though her life was tragically cut short at the age of 30, her musical legacy lives on. When Patsy died in 1963, questions arose about what would happen to her estate and belongings. This article will examine who ended up inheriting Patsy Cline’s estate after her untimely passing. She left behind two young children, a modest estate, and many questions about what would happen to her musical legacy. 

In this post, we’ll explore who inherited Cline’s estate after she died and how her children and family benefited from her career success. 

Who Inherited Patsy Cline’s Estate After She Died?

After Patsy Cline’s shocking death, her estate was inherited primarily by her husband, Charlie Dick. Charlie Dick was Patsy’s second husband, who she married in 1957 after divorcing her first husband, Gerald Cline. Charlie and Patsy had a passionate but turbulent relationship, separating and reuniting several times. 

However, they were married when Patsy died in 1963. As her widower, Charlie Dick inherited the bulk of Patsy’s estate, including the rights to her music catalog and royalties. This allowed Charlie to continue profiting off Patsy’s music for decades to come. Initially, Charlie Dick did not properly manage Patsy’s catalog, missing out on licensing opportunities. But over the years, he smartened up and turned Patsy’s estate into a lucrative asset.

Who Was Patsy Cline?

Patsy Cline was one of the most influential vocalists and groundbreaking female artists in country music history. Born Virginia Patterson Hensley in 1932 in Virginia, Cline sang in her church choir and taught herself how to play piano at a young age. She started performing locally at just 13 years old and soon caught the attention of local bandleader Bill Peer, who became her manager. 

Cline’s big break came in 1957 when she signed with Decca Records and released her first hits “Walkin’ After Midnight” and “I Fall to Pieces.” She had an unforgettable and emotive voice that resonated with fans. Over her short six-year career, Cline released three studio albums and multiple singles before passing away at age 30. She was the first female solo artist to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

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How Much Was Patsy Cline Worth When She Died?

When Patsy Cline passed away in 1963, her net worth was estimated to be around $500,000, which amounts to about $4 million in today’s dollars. While successful, most of her income came from live performances and touring rather than record sales. 

Cline lived comfortably but modestly in a middle-class Nashville home she purchased in 1961 for $30,000. She drove a Cadillac and could afford nice clothes and jewelry, but did not live an extravagant lifestyle. At the time of her death, she had some cash savings along with royalties from her music that continued earning money.

How Did She Make This Much Money?

For a country artist in the late 1950s and early 1960s, touring performances were the biggest source of income. Cline was constantly on the road playing shows to support each of her record releases. She performed at many of the big country music venues and events of the era.

Appearances on national TV programs also provided significant exposure and income during this time. Cline showcased her vocals on shows like American Bandstand, The Arthur Godfrey Show, and Grand Ole Opry. This allowed her to reach wider audiences beyond just country fans.

While she did earn royalties from her music sales, those amounts were quite small compared to today’s music industry. As one of the genre’s first female solo stars, her success paved the way for bigger paychecks for those that followed.

What Happened to Her Children? 

Cline had two young children – a daughter Julie and a son Randy – with her first husband Gerald Cline. At the time of her death in 1963, daughter Julie was 5 years old and son Randy was 3. 

Cline’s mother Hilda Hensley became their guardian and helped raise them along with their father. They inherited their mother’s estate and money that continued generating revenue from Patsy’s music. Both kids received royalty checks throughout their childhood.

As adults, Julie and Randy authorized biographies about their mother to share her story with fans. They also worked to protect Patsy’s legacy through licensing deals. Julie tragically died in a car accident in 1993 at age 43. Randy continues managing his mother’s estate today and oversees commercial uses of her music and image.

What Happened to Patsy Cline’s Husband?

Patsy Cline was married to her second husband, Charlie Dick, at the time of her death in a plane crash in 1963. Though their marriage had seen ups and downs, Charlie was devastated by Patsy’s passing.

However, Charlie did not inherit Patsy’s entire estate directly. Most of Patsy’s belongings and royalties went into a trust for their daughter, Julie Dick. Julie was only 4 years old when her mother died. 

Conclusion

Patsy Cline’s powerful voice and hit songs left an indelible mark on country music that continues inspiring artists today. Though successful in her lifetime, her earnings were modest compared to music stars of later eras.

The royalties and estate she left behind provided lifelong financial support for her two children. More than anything, Cline gifted her family and fans with a musical legacy that became part of the fabric of country music forever. Her emotional vocals and storytelling remain as impactful now as they were 60 years ago.

FAQs

How Old Was Patsy Cline When She Died? 

Patsy Cline died tragically young at just 30 years old in 1963. She was at the peak of her career, having just recorded her iconic album Sentimentally Yours. Patsy had only been singing country music professionally for 7 years before her untimely death. 

How Did Patsy Cline Die?

On March 5, 1963, Patsy Cline died in a plane crash near Camden, Tennessee. She was returning to Nashville after performing a benefit concert in Kansas City. Along with Patsy, fellow country stars Cowboy Copas and Hawkshaw Hawkins died in the crash, as well as Patsy’s manager Randy Hughes, who was piloting the plane.

The small aircraft encountered bad weather during the flight and crashed in a forested area roughly 100 miles outside of Nashville. Patsy likely died instantly from the impact and was unable to escape the wreckage. 

What Year Did Patsy Cline Die?

Patsy Cline died in 1963 at the age of 30. The date of the fatal plane crash was March 5th, 1963. Her death came shortly after the release of her third studio album Sentimentally Yours, which included classics like “She’s Got You,” “Heartaches,” and “Sweet Dreams (Of You).” 

Where Is Patsy Cline Buried?

Patsy Cline is buried in Shenandoah Memorial Park in her hometown of Winchester, Virginia. After her shocking death in the plane crash in Tennessee in 1963, her body was transported back to Virginia where a large funeral service was held on March 8th.

Thousands of fans and friends gathered to mourn and pay tribute to Patsy. She was initially buried in a temporary grave at Shenandoah before her family could commission a granite mausoleum befitting her status as a major country star. The mausoleum was complete by the end of 1963, and bears the name Virginia Patterson Hensley on its entrance, Patsy’s birth name.

Where Is Patsy Cline From?

Patsy Cline was born Virginia Patterson Hensley on September 8, 1932 in Winchester, Virginia. Winchester remained her hometown throughout her life.