Chadwick Boseman's Widow Calls Family's Lawsuit a 'PR Stunt'

Taylor Simone Ledward, the widow of actor Chadwick Boseman, has responded to a lawsuit filed by her late husband's brothers, characterizing their legal action as a "public-relations stunt to smear [her] in the tabloid press." The court documents, filed in Los Angeles, address allegations made by Derrick and Kevin Boseman, who claimed in a July lawsuit that Ledward had not properly distributed her husband's estate as ordered by the court in 2022.

Ledward's legal team asserts that she has fulfilled all court-ordered distributions, with the exception of one account that the brothers themselves have blocked. The response further details Ledward's significant generosity toward Boseman's family members, including voluntary gifts totaling over $300,000 to Derrick's four children. Her representatives stated that she has administered the estate transparently and collaboratively, even beyond her obligations.

According to the court filings, the Boseman brothers initiated their lawsuit on behalf of their parents, Leroy and Carolyn. However, Ledward's response contends that she has distributed every cent of the estate, except for the aforementioned blocked account. The filings highlight that Ledward has been actively working to honor Chadwick Boseman's legacy by establishing the Chadwick Boseman Foundation for the Arts, supporting theatrical productions, and securing documentary deals, all with the knowledge and participation of the brothers.

The lawsuit from Derrick and Kevin Boseman alleged that Ledward, who inherited 50% of the estate, had failed to distribute the remaining half equally between their parents, with each parent set to receive 25%. Their suit claimed that nearly four years after Boseman's death, the estate had still not been fully distributed. Ledward's response refutes these claims, stating that no estate assets have been lost, wasted, or mismanaged.

Details emerging from the court documents also reveal that Chadwick Boseman and Taylor Simone Ledward married on August 21, 2020, just six days before his death on August 28, 2020. Boseman died at the age of 43 after a private battle with colon cancer. His brother, Derrick, reportedly officiated the wedding. Ledward's legal team emphasized her dedication during Boseman's illness, noting, "Simone stood by Chadwick’s side and cared for him throughout his battle with cancer."

The court documents indicate that the estate has received approximately $300,000 in residuals from SAG-AFTRA. These residuals are designated to be distributed with 25% to each of Chadwick's parents and 50% to Ledward. Per the parents' request, Ledward has distributed $75,000 in residuals to each of Derrick and Kevin for the period of 2020-2024.

Ledward's response argues that the brothers' lawsuit is a "baseless attack" and requests that it be denied. The filing also notes that the brothers had previously threatened litigation against Ledward during her period of grief following her husband's death. They also claim that the lawsuit's details were leaked to the press before Ledward was even aware of it, further supporting her assertion of it being a "PR stunt."