Eight women, including wives, fight for author Alex Haley's estate

Jet, Jan 10, 1994

When best-selling Roots author Alex Haley died unexpectedly two years ago, few believed the soft-spoken author's life could have been so complex, expensive and so rich in human experience.

Neither did his younger brother, lawyer George Haley, imagine he'd encounter such heart-wrenching difficulties while monitoring the economic cycles of his brother's fortunes. Atty. Haley has completed a four-year term as chairman of the U. S. Postal Rate Commission in Washington and recently was appointed by President Clinton for a second term as a commission member. When time allows, he attends to his family's business, which includes his famed brother's estate. Haley revealed he actually was forced into handling his brother's affairs. The two men nominated as co-executors by the will refused to serve, leaving the University of Arkansas-trained lawyer to persevere as the estate's personal representative.

As the second anniversary of the death of his better known brother approaches, Haley expects another two years of litigation, negotiations and salesmanship before he can wind up his work. Roughly 36 claims still remain against the estate, including eight women--Haley's ex-wives and friends. Other than his three wives--first wife, Nan; second wife, Juliette and third wife, Myra--the names of the other women in litigation were not revealed.

Currently bound for court is the contention of first wife Nan Haley that "the Mexican dissolution of their marriage was a sham." As the original surviving spouse, she seeks a third of the estate, together with the homestead and a year's support.

The other wives have filed suit to reclaim monies bequeathed to each wife in Haley's will.

Another suit, unrelated to the family claims, involves Betty Shabazz, the widow of Malcolm X. She, along with the Haley estate, co-own the copyright to the book, The Autobiography of Malcolm X. She wants half of the auction proceeds of the manuscript.

Secured claims against the estate total $1,150,519 while unsecured claims are $705,979.90.

Through business-like arrangements avoiding foreclosure and reducing administrative costs, Haley has succeeded in clearing up rumors that "Alex died broke." Receipts from an auction of his personal belongings brought $703,201.49. Still to be sold is Haley's farm in Tennessee, which has been appraised at about $1.5 million.

According to the latest information, the approximate value of the gross estate is $2,877,502.25. Besides the books already published, Haley had done research on two more books, Henning, and Mama Flora, which soon may be published. Another book, Queen, about an older relative, recently was readied for foreign sale.

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville already has profited from the gift of the Haley collection of treasured artifacts.

During February, Black History Month, Atty. George Haley will tell his side of the family story on a TV program directed by Vic Bulluck for Warner Brothers. His legal prowess, in the long run, has kept the Haley family believing in its roots. "Alex was a great brother" he told JET. "He did his share in telling our family story and I'll do mine in protecting his name."