The family of Aretha Franklin are dragging a famed record executive, a retired NBA All-Star and a tough-talking TV judge into the all-out war for the “Respect” singer’s $80 million fortune.
Arista Records great Clive Davis, former Detroit Pistons point guard Isiah Thomas and daytime Emmy-winning jurist Greg Mathis are all expected to be called in as witnesses in the cutthroat courtroom battle, according to documents obtained by The National ENQUIRER.
The celebs are just three of the more than 40 potential witnesses listed by Aretha’s kin, who are locked in a feud over control of the estate.
Aretha seemingly died without a will in her Detroit, Mich., home in 2018 at 76 after battling pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer.
Aretha Franklin — The Detroit Diva’s Amazing Life In Photos
Aretha’s four sons agreed to let cousin Sabrina Owens administer the estate, but that arrangement fell apart after three handwritten wills were found inside the singer’s home on May 3.
Clive produced several of Aretha’s greatest hits, while Isiah called her his “surrogate mom” and she called him her favorite “Bad Boy” during the Pistons’ 1989 championship run.
Judge Mathis worked with Aretha to raise money to help the poor during the Flint, Mich., contaminated drinking water crisis.
The court case is expected to start next year.
