Locked Up & Locked Out
From Britney Spears and Amanda Bynes to Brian Wilson and Mickey Rooney, here’s 10 popular celebrities from past and present, who have been put under a conservatorship—some by choice, and some by force.
What is a conservatorship?
A conservatorship is a legal guardianship that gives others almost complete control over the person who has been deemed unable to take care of themselves and their finances.
The constraints of such an agreement can go as far as how money can be spent to whether or not the person can get a haircut.
Britney Spears
Back in 2007, after years of struggle, Britney had a mental breakdown which involved her shaving her head and attacking the paparazzi.
As a result, her father had her put under his control—for a very long time.
Britney’s Conservatorship
Britney’s conservatorship governed nearly her every waking moment, from what she ate to whether or not she was allowed to have another child. She was not even allowed to have a cell phone.
Britney’s Freedom
Britney spent nearly 14 years under the strict conservatorship before a judge in Los Angeles finally ordered is dissolution in November 2021.
Amanda Bynes
Amanda Bynes was a child star who rose to fame at only 7 years old with Nickelodeon taking credit for recognizing her talent.
As with many other Nickelodeon child stars, Amanda didn’t fair well.
The Heart Truth, Wikimedia Commons
Amanda’s Background
Amanda was at odds with her family for most of her childhood and teenage years, and had several incidences where she had left home and ended up at the authorities. A
t one point she attempted emancipation from her parents, but was denied.
Amanda’s Struggle
Amanda barely made it into her early twenties before she started doing illicit substances and officially quit acting after experiencing body dysmorphia issues.
Sadly, it didn’t stop there.
Amanda’s Breakdown
In 2012, Amanda was apprehended by authorities for driving while drinking and hitting a cop car. The following year she was apprehended several more times, and then held for a mental health evaluation after starting a fire in a neighbor’s driveway.
She was then placed on an involuntary psychiatric hold, while her parents filed for conservatorship.
Amanda’s Conservatorship
Amanda’s high-profile conservatorship allowed her parents complete control of all of her finances, and personal affairs—including all medical decisions, and social life.
Amanda’s Freedom
After seeking help, Amanda was finally relieved of her 9-year conservatorship in March of 2022, with her parent’s full support.
Brian Wilson
Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson has just recently been placed under a legal conservatorship at the age of 81—which wasn’t the first one.
IthakaDarinPappas, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Brian’s Background
Brian has been struggling with his mental health for many years. Apparently, he had been mistreated by his father as a child—including one specific incident where his father hit him on the head with a 2x4, resulting in permanent hearing loss.
That wasn’t all, though
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
Brian’s Breakdown
In the 1960s, Brian had a mental breakdown and had to resign from his concert tour. He was then diagnosed with bipolar schizoaffective disorder—and his psychologist began controlling everything.
Brian’s First Conservatorship
Brian’s doctor became his business partner and started controlling every aspect of Brian’s life. He over-medicated him to make him “easier to control,” charged him $100,000 per month for his care, and controlled who he could speak to.
He even changed Brian’s will to make himself the main beneficiary.
Caribou records, Wikimedia Commons
Brian’s Recovery
Eventually, Brian’s cousin was granted a conservatorship, breaking the hold the doctor had on him, and the doctor had his license revoked.
Brian was on the road to recovery and his conservatorship was short lived.
Takahiro Kyono, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Brian’s Decline
Brian healed from his substance use and mistreatment from his doctor. But in recent years, his mental capacity has seen a decline. After the passing of his wife in early 2024, his family made a hard decision.
Brian’s Second Conservatorship
Brian’s family pursued his second conservatorship not long after his wife passed. The reason is said to be due to Brian’s “major neurocognitive disorder”—which has been reported as dementia.
Unlike other high-profile celeb conservatorships, Brian agrees to this one.
Brian’s Conservators
His conservators will be two longtime associates: his manager LeeAnn Hard, and his publicist, Jean Sievers. And his seven children will be consulted regarding health care decisions.
Joni Mitchell
Hailed as one of the greatest songwriters ever by Rolling Stone, Joni Mitchell’s story is a little more positive than the others.
Her conservatorship was not due to reckless behavior.
Capannelle, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Joni’s Background
Joni has suffered a ton of medical issues over her lifetime, and in 2010 she was diagnosed with Morgellons syndrome—a skin disorder that causes sores on the body.
But that’s not all.
Joni’s Decline
In 2015, Joni suffered a brain aneurysm after suddenly collapsing in her Bel Air home. She was okay, but needed a great deal of time to heal.
This is when her conservatorship began.
Joni’s Conservatorship
Joni’s conservator was her friend, Leslie Morris. And she actually did not have control over Joni’s finances. She simply handled other personal affairs.
Joni’s Recovery
Joni was able to talk again fairly quickly after her aneurysm, but it took her three years to walk again.
While there are no reports whether or not she’s still under a conservatorship, it’s assumed that she’s back to controlling her own daily decisions as her health improves.
Library of Congress Life, Wikimedia Commons
Randy Meisner
Founding member of the Eagles, Randy Meisner is another star who was put under a conservatorship—though his story comes from tragedy.
Randy’s Tragedy
In November of 2016, Randy’s wife of 20 years, Lana Rae, was reorganizing a closet in their home when a rifle had been accidentally discharged—fatally injuring Lana.
Understandably, Randy did not handle this well at all.
Randy’s Decline
Randy took the passing of his wife very hard, and was placed under a court-ordered 24-hour supervision following a threat to end his own life.
He then requested his own conservatorship, stating that he was “in a lot of pain,” and needed help.
Randy’s Conservatorship
Randy’s conservatorship was given to both Meisner’s longtime friend, and his accountant. Later, this was changed to a different longtime friend, who now controls both his personal and financial affairs.
Randy remained in his conservatorship until his passing in 2023, after complications with COPD.
Casey Kasem
Casey was well known for his radio presence and his acting career. And apparently, he had some pretty rough years as he grew older—eventually leading to a conservatorship.
Casey’s Background
Casey was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2007, but it wasn’t made public until 2013 when it also came to light that he had Lewy Body dementia—leaving him unable to care for himself.
Casey’s Conservatorship
Casey was put on a conservatorship where some of his family members had control—a bit too much control.
Things got ugly and elder abuse was brought to light, sparking a change in conservator. Casey had little to do with any of it, and his conservatorship held until his passing in 2014.
Michael Oher
Famous for his NFL career, Michael’s story was the inspiration being the movie, The Blind Side.
But the story didn’t exactly tell all—especially the part about his conservatorship.
Keith Allison, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Michael’s Background
Apparently, the family who took Michael in as an aspiring football star “tricked” him into a conservatorship, where they were able to profit from his story and his earnings without actually ever adopting him.
Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Michael’s Conservatorship
Michael had apparently signed the agreement when he was 18 years old and living with the Tuohy family, after being told it was part of the adoption process.
Instead, they gained control over his finances—including the impending fortune he would soon make in the NFL.
Michael’s Health
Despite the fact that he had no diagnosed physical or psychological disabilities—which is usually the reason for a conservatorship, the conservatorship was approved.
Somehow, this was only recently seen as a problem.
Michael’s Freedom
Michael’s conservatorship lasted a whopping 19 years. In 2023, at almost 40 years old, Michael was finally released from the control of his “adoptive” parents.
Mickey Rooney
Mickey Rooney was one of the most famous actors to ever live. He appeared in over 300 films before his passing—but the years leading up to his final days were anything by happy.
Studio publicity still, Wikimedia Commons
Mickey’s Background
During Mickey’s elder years, his stepson, Christopher Aber and Aber’s wife Christina, terribly mistreated him.
Not only did they physically hurt him, they also withheld food, water, and medication, and also stole money from him.
Mickey’s Conservatorship
Mickey’s attorney caught wind of it all after more than $400,000 had disappeared from his accounts, and filed for a conservatorship—which was of course met with rebuttal from the stepson.
Mickey’s Freedom
The judge granted it in 2011, along with a restraining order against the abusers—Mickey was free from his awful family—but it was anything but peaceful.
Allan warren, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Mickey’s Final Days
Mickey passed in 2014 from natural causes, though sadly his rep said, “he died humiliated, betrayed, and nearly broke,” thanks to the years of abuse from his family.
Harrison Post
Harrison Post is relatively unknown today, but back in the 1930s he was a Hollywood socialite and secret lover of William Andrews Clark Jr. (son of Senator W.A. Clark).
His story is often compared to Britney Spears’ story in terms of magnitude of control.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
Harrison’s Background
Harrison was often in the limelight, identified as a “clubman”, “art collector”, and “Hollywood millionaire.” Though he is best known for his secretive love affair with prominent figure Will Clark—who engaged with him in countless partying scandals.
Los Angeles Times, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Harrison’s Breakdown
Eventually, his party-hard lifestyle caught up to him and he experienced a mental breakdown—which was covered up by claiming it was a stroke.
Doctors then described him as having a “lesion on the brain,” and he was sent to live in a sanatorium (a hospital for the mentally ill, and chronically ill.)
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
Harrison’s Conservatorship
Shortly after, his partner Will passed of a sudden heart attack. This is when Harrison’s sister entered the picture—claiming her brother was incompetent and requesting to become guardian over his $4.5 million estate.
Tichnor Brothers, Wikimedia Commons
Harrison’s Recovery
Harrison’s sister got right down to business, moving Harrison back to his mansion in the Palisades—but it wasn’t the homecoming he had hoped for.
Tichnor Brothers, Wikimedia Commons
Harrison’s Homecoming
Harrison’s sister fired his staff, over-medicated him, physically restrained him, installed alarms and barbed wire around the compound, and started selling off all of his things—including his Rolls-Royce, Plymouth Coupe, horses, antiques, silver, and art.
Then she started spending his money.
State Library of New South Wales, Picryl
Harrison’s Lockup
Harrison later claimed that he was competent during all of this. He knew he was being over-medicated to keep him quiet, and said she would physically restrain him to his bed with shackles when she didn’t like him wandering around the grounds of his own home.
Tichnor Brothers, Wikimedia Commons
Harrison’ Freedom
Eventually, in 1936 Harrison broke free of his conservatorship from his sister—though not much was left of his estate. The court declared he was sane and competent and likely had been for some time.
He took was he had left and fled to Europe, to a sanctuary where he and his late partner would hide out together.
Tichnor Brothers, Wikimedia Commons
Frances Bean
Frances Bean is the beloved daughter of Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love, and right from the moment she was conceived she was mistreated—ultimately leading to a conservatorship.
Frances’s Background
Courtney allegedly used strong illicit substances while pregnant with Frances, and had continued to do so during her infancy and childhood. This eventually resulted in an incident where Courtney took too much—and she finally lost custody of her daughter in 2009, when Frances was 17 years old.
Frances’s Fortune
Frances was the beneficiary for all of her father’s image and assets—which was quite a lot. Following her mother’s substance use, it was determined that Frances be appointed different guardians, mostly to safekeep the family fortune.
Frances’s Conservatorship
Frances’ grandmother was awarded guardianship over the girl and her father’s estates—mostly to keep it out of the hands of her mother.
Now that Frances is an adult, she has complete control over everything once again.
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