Jimmy Buffett's Widow Battles Co-Trustee Over $275M Estate
Jimmy Buffett's MargaritaVille at City Walk in Orlando, Florida. Photo by Miosotis Jade under CC BY-SA 4.0.
When you hear the name Jimmy Buffett, you might picture the laid-back beach lifestyle and the iconic song that launched a global brand. But behind the sunny image of the "Margaritaville" empire lies a high-stakes legal battle that reads more like a thriller than a tropical getaway. At the heart of this drama is Jane Buffett, the widow of the late singer and businessman, locked in a fierce dispute with Rick Mozenter, the co-trustee of her late husband's $275 million estate. What began as a loving 46-year marriage has now spiraled into a public courtroom clash, with legacy, money, and trust hanging in the balance.
Recording artists Jimmy Buffett, right, and Mac Macnally, a member of the "Coral Reefer Band," perform a USO concert for the Sailors of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, 2008. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Michael W. Pendergrass. Public domain.
A Trust Under Siege
Jane Buffett's fight is not just about money — it's about preserving the legacy of a man who built an empire from a simple song and a lifestyle that millions embraced. Since Jimmy Buffett's death in September 2023, Jane has reportedly accused Mozenter of mismanaging the trust, alleging that he has withheld critical financial information and used trust funds to finance retaliatory lawsuits against her. This isn't just a family squabble; it's a battle over control of an estate valued at a staggering $275 million, including stakes in the Margaritaville company, real estate, airplanes, and fine art.
Mozenter, who was appointed independent trustee by Jimmy Buffett himself, claims the trust was set up this way, because of concerns about Jane's "ability to manage and control [the] assets," as reported by the Associated Press. But Jane's legal filings paint a different picture — one of a co-trustee who has been openly hostile and adversarial, slow to provide financial details, and quick to dismiss her reasonable requests for transparency.
The Legal Tug-of-War
The dispute has unfolded across two states, with lawsuits filed in both California and Florida courts. Jane Buffett's attorneys have moved to remove Mozenter as co-trustee, accusing him of breaching his fiduciary duty by failing to provide basic information about the trust's assets and investments, while charging unreasonable fees and costs for his services.
Mozenter responded with his own suit in Florida, seeking Jane's removal as co-trustee, alleging that her interference has cost the trust financially. The legal back-and-forth has set the stage for a hearing scheduled for August 14, 2025, where the fate of the Margaritaville estate's management will be decided.
The Stakes: More Than Just Money
What makes this battle so compelling is the emotional weight behind it. Jane Buffett was married to Jimmy for 46 years, a partnership that seemed as enduring as the island-inspired tunes that made him famous. Now, instead of quietly managing the estate left to her, she finds herself in a public fight to protect what she believes is her rightful inheritance and the future care set aside for her by her late husband.
The estate itself is a sprawling portfolio: a 20 percent stake in the Margaritaville company, which includes more than 30 restaurants and 20 hotels, $34.5 million in property, $15.3 million in airplanes, and $11.4 million in fine art, as reported by The Daily Beast. Yet, despite the vast wealth, Jane was reportedly shocked to learn that the trust's estimated annual income was around $2 million, especially given that Margaritaville had paid out $14 million over the previous 18 months.
A Clash of Control and Care
Jane's legal team argues that Mozenter's actions threaten the very integrity of the trust, accusing him of stonewalling and making excuses to delay providing financial information. They contend that his combative communication style and the fees he has taken are not justified by the services rendered. Jane's lawyers have reportedly proposed replacing Mozenter with Daniel Neidich, CEO of Dune Real Estate Partners, signaling a desire to bring in fresh leadership to safeguard the estate's future.
On the other side, Mozenter's legal filings suggest that Jane's interference has been detrimental to the trust's financial health, painting a picture of mutual distrust and conflict that has escalated into full-blown litigation.
Looking Ahead
As the August 14 hearing approaches, all eyes will be on the legal battle that could redefine the future of the Margaritaville estate. Will Jane Buffett succeed in removing Mozenter and taking control of the trust? Or will the co-trustee maintain his position, continuing to oversee the empire built by one of America's most beloved musicians?
For now, the story is a potent mix of legacy, betrayal, and financial intrigue — a real-life drama that proves truth can be stranger than fiction, even in the sunniest of settings.
You can bet that this isn't the last chapter in the saga of Margaritaville's fortune and the fight to protect it.
References: Jimmy Buffett's widow seeks to remove financial adviser from $275M trust | Jimmy Buffett's Widow in Legal Battle over $275 Million Margaritaville Estate
