Marie Osmond has built a successful career in entertainment, but she doesn’t believe wealth should be handed down. The singer has made it clear that her children won’t inherit her fortune — a decision she says is meant to help, not hurt them. Instead of leaving them money, she has a different plan for her estate.
Discussions about wealth and inheritance often spark strong opinions, especially among high-profile families. Some believe passing down a fortune is a way to secure their children’s future, while others argue it can create more problems than benefits. Marie Osmond has made her position clear, and it’s not what most people expect.
She has spoken openly about her approach, explaining why she won’t be following the traditional path when it comes to her estate. While some of her peers have made similar decisions, her reasoning goes beyond finances. Marie’s choice is deeply personal. It is shaped by her life experiences and beliefs about success.
Marie’s Views on Success and Hard Work
Marie’s career spans nearly six decades, making her one of the most recognizable figures in the entertainment industry. From her early days performing with her famous siblings to her solo success in music, television, and business, she has built a legacy through persistence and adaptability.
She has never limited herself to one role, taking on projects as a singer, actress, talk show host, author, and entrepreneur. Her approach to success has always been rooted in hard work. Marie was raised in a family where discipline and determination were central values.
She has often spoken about how she enjoys taking on challenges, learning new skills, and pushing herself to achieve her goals. “I’ve done so many things from designing dolls and much more. I love trying [and] I wanna try everything. I’m a finisher,” she once said.
This mindset is something she has carried throughout her career and personal life. Marie’s perspective on money isn’t just personal; it has also been shaped by her family’s financial history.
The Osmond Family’s Approach to Money
Marie grew up in a household where financial discipline was a priority. Her father, George Osmond, managed the family’s earnings and instilled in his children the importance of hard work and responsibility. The Osmond children were not given allowances, nor raised to rely on their wealth.
Instead, they were taught that money had to be earned. Despite the family’s financial success, they faced major setbacks. Marie’s brother, Jimmy Osmond, once revealed that the family lost around $80 million due to poor financial management and unwise investments.
“We amassed a lot of money but were good at entertaining and not business,” he explained. “We ended up hiring people to look after the money and then we wondered what happened.” The experience was a harsh lesson for the Osmond siblings, forcing them to start over and rebuild their financial stability.
Marie has often pointed to this as a defining moment in her understanding of money. Rather than seeing wealth as something to be relied upon, she learned the importance of financial independence and careful money management. These lessons would later influence how she chose to approach her estate planning.
She has not only embraced this mindset for herself but has also applied it to the way she raises her children. She believes that financial struggles can teach valuable life skills that cannot be learned if money is simply handed down. This philosophy ultimately led her to decide her fortune, sparking widespread debate.
Why Marie Chose a Different Path for Her Children
Marie has been open about her belief that wealth should not be handed down. In 2020, she made headlines when she revealed her plan for her children. “I’m not leaving any money to my children. Congratulations, kids,” she said during a discussion on “The Talk.”
She explained that she and her husband, Stephen Craig, believe that large inheritances can do more harm than good. “You take away the one most important gift you can give your children, and that’s the ability to work,” she emphasized.
According to Marie, knowing that money will be given to them can make children complacent and strip them of the motivation to build their success. Marie has since reiterated this view, emphasizing that she wants her children to experience the satisfaction of earning their financial stability.
“I’ve seen it throughout my life — when you tell a child that you’re leaving them all this money, it un-inspires them.They don’t learn that you cannot buy your child self-esteem — they have to earn that,” she said in 2023.
“They don’t learn the joy of hard work, of picking themselves up when things don’t work. I believe in general that you rob children of the experience of figuring out who they are,” she added. While her stance has sparked debate, Marie is not alone in her thinking.
Other high-profile figures, including Warren Buffett, Sting, and Mick Jagger, have stated they do not plan to leave their children vast fortunes. However, Marie’s decision is not just about wealth — it’s about the values she wants to pass down. But if her money isn’t going to her children, where will it go?
Her Plans for Her Fortune
Marie has clarified that while her children will not inherit her wealth, her fortune will not go to waste. Instead, she decided to donate it to charity, believing it would have a greater impact on helping others in need. “Let them be proud of what they make, and I’m going to give mine to my charity,” she asserted.
She has not specified which organizations will receive her wealth, but throughout her career, she has been involved in numerous charitable efforts. Marie has long supported Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a nonprofit that raises funds for children’s healthcare.
She co-founded the organization in 1983 and has helped raise over $8 billion to support children’s hospitals across North America. Beyond charity, Marie has also spoken about wanting to enjoy the money she has earned.
After decades of hard work, she and her husband, Stephen, plan to spend their remaining years having fun together. “Besides, I have a lot of places to go and a lot of bucket lists still to do,” she stated. “I’ve worked hard all my life, and I want to enjoy those years I have with my husband, you know?”
While Marie stands firm in her decision, the mother of eight has reassured that this does not mean she refuses to help her children when they need it.
How She Supports Her Children Without an Inheritance
Over the years, she has supported her kids and helped them when necessary but in a way that encourages independence rather than reliance on wealth. “I don’t not help my children. I mean, [if] they need help [buying] a car or something, [I will pitch in,]” she explained. However, she insists that they contribute as well.
Regarding major purchases, she has required them to pay for a part themselves. “You don’t love something if you don’t earn it,” she said, emphasizing that financial assistance should not replace hard work.
Marie also takes pride in the fact that all of her children are self-sufficient. “My children know that I’m proud of them for being able to make their own living,” she said. “They’re all really wonderful kids who work hard.” She shared that some of them have dedicated their careers to helping others.
