Five things to know about Karl Lagerfeld’s (now very wealthy) cat

Karl Lagerfeld, artistic director of Chanel and a true seer and genius of the fashion industry, died in Paris on Tuesday. He was 85.

He leaves behind more than half a century of designs for Chanel, Fendi and his own eponymous label. Creations which gave women the clothes, aesthetics and ways of being they wanted, before they knew they wanted them.

He also leaves behind his beloved cat, Choupette.

Karl Lagerfeld and Choupette.Credit:net-a-porter

Adopted by Lagerfeld in 2011 (some might say catnapped given the seven-year-old Birman originally belonged to Chanel model Baptiste Giabiconi), Choupette has lived a life of unbridled luxury.

Arguably, she is the most famous cat in the world. She's definitely the only cat to have two personal maids.

Choupette may also soon become an incredibly wealthy moggy with rumours the German fashion designer left her a chunk of his more than $273 million fortune.

Unmarried and without children, Lagerfeld once lamented there "is no marriage yet for human being and animals”. When asked in an interview by French magazine Numéro last year whether he "named Choupette as the heir to [his] vast fortune", Lagerfeld replied: “Among others, yes. Don’t worry, there is enough for everyone.”

He had also described Choupette as a "rich girl" and "heiress" in interviews.

Others rumoured to be named in the will are Brad Kroenig, Lagerfeld's male model muse, and Kroenig's son Hudson, who is Lagerfeld's godson and has modelled in Chanel shows.

In a statement released to People magazine, Ashley Tschudin, who runs Choupette’s social media accounts and the Choupette’s Diary blog, said Choupette will put her "best paw forward" following Lagerfeld's passing.

“During this time, Choupette is coping with the loss the best she knows how to, but at such a young age (and being a cat), that is challenging. Karl Lagerfeld is and will always be her ‘Daddy’. She is choosing to put her best paw forward and hopes that her loyal fans and followers will continue with their outpouring of love to help ease the pain."

Choupette's new guardian is unknown. In any case, Choupette will need to maintain a certain standard of living.

As Lagerfeld once said,"She is like a kept woman. She has a strong personality. She has lunch and dinner with me on the table, with her own food. She doesn’t touch my food. She doesn’t want to eat on the floor. She sleeps under a pillow and she even knows how to use an iPad.”

Here are five things to know about Choupette, someone who, among all of Lagerfeld's millions of mourners, may well feel his absence the most (or not, she is a cat after-all).

Choupette is a mogul in her own right

Choupette has earned millions modelling for the likes of Japanese cosmetics brand Shu Uemura and German car company Vauxhall. She also brought out a range of merch in 2014 branded with the cartoon "Monster Choupette" and has collaborated with brands such as luxury cat product line, Cheshire & Wain. 

Her palate is unsurpassed

Choupette is something of a foodie. Each day, four different dishes are made up for her, including her choice of specialty dry food (eaten from a silver Goyard dish) as well as a little chicken pâté or croquettes with a turkey or fish sauce. Upon her private medical consultant's advice (the upscale Paris-based vet Dr Yola Horn) Choupette indulges in the occasional tiny spoonful of caviar or chicken en gelée with asparagus.

Of course she is a social media influencer

One of the originals in the beloved pet of very famous person genre, Choupette has 159,000 followers on Instagram. Her Instagram handle is @choupettesdiary and it features little snapshots of her life. A lot of time is spent on private jets.

She also rules traditional media

Choupette isn't afraid of "old media" either. She's covered the likes of Vogue and V magazines. She also has her own book, brimming with style and life advice, called Choupette: The Private Life of a High-Flying Fashion Cat.

Her influence on Lagerfeld went beyond style

Lagerfeld told People magazine of Choupette's impact on his life, “It’s difficult to analyse and influence. Perhaps, she helped me to become a nicer person. Because there is something very touching about her you see. Even if she is spoiled beyond."

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