Chadwick Boseman’s widow hits back as late actor’s brothers petition to remove her as administrator of estate

The widow of late actor Chadwick Boseman is fighting back after his brothers filed to remove her as the administrator of his estate.

In newly filed court documents, Taylor Simone Ledward alleged Boseman’s two older brothers, Kevin and Derrick Boseman, were attempting a “public-relations stunt to smear [her] in the tabloid press”, Page Six reported.

Ledward denied allegations in the brothers’ July lawsuit, filed on behalf of their parents, that she had not properly distributed the Black Panther star’s assets in the six years since his August 2020 death despite a court order to do so.

They asked the court to replace Ledward with forensic accountant Jason Rubin as administrator of the estate.

In response, Ledward’s lawyer Adam Streisand wrote that she had not only complied with the order, but had gifted Derrick’s children – Boseman’s nephews – about $US300,000 ($428,000) because she wanted his family to be taken care of.

“Simone has not only complied with the Order, but as a product solely of her own extraordinary generosity, she has gone well beyond what was required of her,” the documents stated.

“Simone’s generosity has been both financial and collaborative. She has always included the Boseman family in her efforts to ensure Chadwick’s memory would endure and flourish long after her husband’s tragic and untimely death.”

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The suit said she had distributed all of Boseman’s estate except for one account the family themselves blocked from distribution and asked that she remain as administrator.

Ledward is entitled to 50 per cent of the actor’s estate – including more than $5.4 million in cash and other assets – because they married before his death. He did not have a will in place.

His parents, Leroy and Carolyn Boseman, are entitled to 25 per cent each.

Boseman died in 2020 aged 43 after a private four-year battle with colon cancer.

He and Ledward were first linked in 2015, shortly after she graduated from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. 

Their marriage was only confirmed with the announcement of his death.

“He died in his home, with his wife and family by his side,” the statement said.