Don Cornelius’ ex-wife wasn’t playing games about her come-up after his death. Not only once, but twice, she came into a large payday.
In 2001, Don Cornelius — founder, creator, and host of TV’s Soul Train — married Viktoria Chapman…the former Miss Ukraine, herself, who according to TMZ, Mr. Cornelius “despised.” International Business-Times also reported that the former beauty pageant model was an ex-adult film star at the time.
And apparently, her hustle game was on point…
Approaching Cornelius’ death, he was adamantly trying to divorce Viktoria, and he wanted it all final before his passing. The source said he wanted the turmoiled relationship behind him. In 2009, Don Cornelius stated in his divorce court docs, “I am 72 years old. I have significant health issues. I want to finalize this divorce before I die.”
Well, their divorce finally happened in 2010, two years before his death. However, that didn’t stop Viktoria Chapman Cornelius’ massive paydays. Of course, one payday came from Don’s death in the form of life insurance. Two policies, totaling $300,000.
Even though Cornelius’ death was ruled suicide, in the state of California, if the policy has been in place for more than two years, it will be paid out.
But The NEXT Payout Was MASSIVE — And For Something Totally Different
$1.85 Million?!? Although Don Cornelius‘ life insurance policies were typical, his property wasn’t. Matter of fact, his house went up for sale years after his death. The initial asking price was $2.295 million.
However, by the close of the sale, it was bought for $1.85 million in 2018. And guess who was the seller, of course. Yes. None other than Viktoria, Cornelius’ ex-wife.
According to Los Angeles Times, Cornelius’ house is described as follows:
“The Traditional-style two-story home, built in 1982, sits at the end of a gated driveway. A three-car garage faces the street. Vaulted ceilings, stained glass and sunken floors are among the features within the 3,500 square feet of living space.
The formal dining room opens to a step-down living room, which shares a two-sided flagstone fireplace with a billiards/game room,” the source continues its description. “The den features a tiled wet bar, and the kitchen has a bay window. There are four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Lawn, mature trees and patios make up the grounds.”
So, yeah. The come-up has been real for Don Cornelius’ ex-wife. She definitely maneuvered and finessed the situation to the fullest, right?
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