In the culminating weeks of philanthropist Wallis Annenberg’s life, a fierce power struggle over her medical care consumed her family and closest associates. This intensely personal conflict, detailed in court records, pitted her children against Vikki Levine, the sister of Annenberg’s longtime partner, igniting a dramatic legal and emotional battle over the matriarch’s well-being and final wishes.
Three of Wallis Annenberg’s children—Gregory, Lauren, and Charles—leveled serious accusations against Vikki Levine, claiming she exerted “likely fatal” control over their mother. They alleged that Levine isolated Annenberg, confined her to bed, and hastened her decline through excessive narcotics, inducing a state of stupor that deeply distressed the family.
The children’s legal team highlighted the gravity of their concerns, asserting in court documents that Levine’s alleged actions made it impossible to conduct an autopsy if there were any suspicious circumstances surrounding Annenberg’s death. This was compounded by fears that the Levine sisters planned to swiftly remove Annenberg’s body for composting, preventing a proper farewell or investigation.
The escalating dispute quickly drew in some of Los Angeles’s most prominent lawyers and prompted calls to the police, underscoring the severity of the family conflict. The Annenberg children were driven to Los Angeles County Superior Court in a desperate, frantic effort to dislodge Vikki Levine from her authority over their mother’s critical medical decisions.
In stark contrast, Vikki and Kris Levine vehemently denied any allegations of over-medicating or mistreating Wallis Annenberg, a renowned heiress and philanthropist who had donated approximately $1.5 billion through her family’s foundation. Vikki Levine countered in court filings, describing the children’s accusations as “vicious and false,” stemming from their pain and anger over their mother’s undisclosed cancer recurrence, her choice of caregiver, and her desire for a gentle passing.
Conflicting accounts from Annenberg’s former caregivers further complicated the narrative. Some alleged shocking scenes, including the forced administration of pills and misrepresentations to doctors, claiming they were ousted after objecting to such practices. Conversely, Vikki Levine’s attorneys stated these staffers were fired “for cause,” while a hospice nurse who regularly attended to Annenberg contested many of the children’s claims, affirming that care was physician-ordered and records were properly maintained.
The children’s attempt to involve an outside physician, Dr. Peter Phung, who they claimed confirmed overmedication, was allegedly met with resistance as Vikki Levine reportedly blocked further access to him and eventually barred the children’s visits. This perceived obstruction ultimately propelled the children to petition the court for the immediate suspension of Vikki Levine’s healthcare authority.
In a detailed 73-page court filing, the Annenberg children presented extraordinary details about their mother’s medical care and their profound concerns, framing their legal action as an act of desperation. Daughter Lauren Bon’s declaration encapsulated their fear, stating she did not want her mother’s final weeks to be spent in a “medically-induced coma” due to actions she believed were contrary to medical advice.
This intense legal and family conflict offers a rare glimpse into the private turmoil of one of Southern California’s most prominent families. While the dispute has, so far, not touched on the Annenberg family’s vast wealth, it deeply questions the execution of an advance healthcare directive and highlights the complexities surrounding elder care and end-of-life decisions, casting a shadow over a distinguished philanthropic legacy.
