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Tammy Wynette's Death Examined on 'The Will'

Jim Steinfeldt, Michael Ochs Archives

The 1998 death of country legend Tammy Wynette and the controversies that surrounded her estate will be explored in a episode of the TV series, "The Will: Family Secrets Revealed," when it returns for its third season this October on the Investigation Discovery (ID) channel.

The premiere episode set for Oct. 18, uncovers the situation that arose after the country icon's death when her four daughters realized they had been denied their inheritance and began questioning the events surrounding their mother's death, which led to a $50-million wrongful death lawsuit against their stepfather, George Richey (who died in 2010) and their mother's physician.

Wynette was just 55 years old at the time of her death. As a result of the lawsuit filed by her daughters, Richey requested that his late wife's body be exhumed and an autopsy performed. The results of the autopsy were released on Sept. 25, 2001, declaring that she died of natural causes.

Tammy Wynette, who was born Virginia Wynette Pugh, was in the news again earlier this year when the name was changed on the tomb where she is laid to rest in Nashville. The plaque now reads "Virginia W Richardson," reflecting her married name, as George Richey's real last name was Richardson.

Other celebrities whose wills are examined during the new season of the ID network show include singer Ritchie Valens, the Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia, artist Andy Warhol, baseball legend Ted Williams and former child star Gary Coleman. Season three of "The Will: Family Secrets Revealed," premieres with the "Estate of Tammy Wynette" on Thursday, Oct. 18 at 9:00 PM ET on Investigation Discovery.


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Cindy
I think there should be some suspicion on why her daughters were left out of her will and why George Richey kids beneifited from her will and why he didn't call 911 when he discovered she was deceased he called her doctor who flew in from another state I find that strange that he would leave his dead wife lying on the sofa until the doctor got there to pronouce her dead

April 03 2013 at 9:25 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
prairiecal

Why did she cut her daughters out of her will? Did I miss something? A little more info please.

September 15 2012 at 7:14 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kathy

Moderator: why is my name appearing here? It never did before....my AOL "handle" always did before...please fix this ASAP

September 15 2012 at 2:12 AM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
Debbie

The article says her husband died. I wonder if he left any of Tammy's money to her children. I would be more interested in his will than in her will. Where did the money end up?

September 14 2012 at 11:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Debbie's comment
Eabdeb8176

I was thinking the same thing. He had a daughter who was born in 2001. Very sad that she had to lose her dad at such a young age.

September 15 2012 at 5:56 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
karaoqequeen6157

great show, and great singer and songwriter, dont understand the children being left out of will, but why exhume her, she died of natural causes geesh, surprised her dirst ex husband didnt try to cash in, and im not talking about george

September 14 2012 at 9:53 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to karaoqequeen6157's comment
Eabdeb8176

there were questions about her death it was not known officially why she died because there had not been an autopsy done until she was exhumed in 1999. Being just 55 when she died I'd question it too if I were her daughters. There was alot of questions and they were on dateline or 20/20.

It was odd because her personal physician was in Pittsburgh she didn't have a local doctor and I must say there are a ton of wonderful doctors here in Nashville she died at home on her sofa. One issue that came up was the kind of meds she was on at the time of her passing. I remember seeing her on a awards show just shortly before her passing and she looked so much older than she truly was.

She had so many medical conditions and had 26 major surgeries throughout her life. It's truly amazing she was able to be as successful as she was with all of those medical issues.

September 15 2012 at 6:08 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jo

Why can't writers still write these beautiful songs? Tammy Wynette was such a wonderful singer....JK

September 14 2012 at 7:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
neilbarcume

Leave here alone let her rest in peace !

September 14 2012 at 7:22 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to neilbarcume's comment
Eabdeb8176

they're not doing anything to bother her or paint her in a bad light.

September 15 2012 at 6:09 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
pslcitizen

What an amazing woman. RIP Tammy

September 14 2012 at 2:47 PM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
leonard

As one of America's Country music Icons, I wish people would leave her, and her family alone. Its a shame that Her and George Jones could'nt make it together as husband and Wife. We lost her too soon!

September 14 2012 at 2:15 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to leonard's comment
Eabdeb8176

I take it you've never seen the show the will. It's not painting her in a bad light it's merely looking at her will. There were alot of questions about her death when she died. Her family is participating in this show. They did the same with Conway Twitty and they did a very nice job in showing the facts of his will and due to the issues that went on with that nearly 20 years ago some probate laws were changed.

September 15 2012 at 6:22 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rey

Tammy, I love you just as much today as I did yesterday. Your legacy will live on in spite of all the controversy surrounding your life and death. With all the great women country singers of your day, I believe that you were, and are, the true Queen of Country Music, and there will never be another like you!

September 14 2012 at 1:04 PM Report abuse +3 rate up rate down Reply

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