PAPEETE, Tahiti (7 July 2004) -- After Marlon Brando's death, the future of his private atoll Tetiaroa is once more uncertain: inheritance, possible repurchase, and hotel projects. The situation will clarify with the coming opening of his will. "His relatives are coming from all over the world to execute his last will and testament," said Brando family's Los Angeles lawyer, David J. Seeley. Although the will has not been disclosed in details, there might be something about the atoll future situation in the actor's last will and testament. As a foreigner, Marlon Brando had needed the agreement of the governor in office to buy a first part of the atoll in 1966. In that sense, the actor had verbally agreed to give the atoll back to his Tahitian family after his death. "I am not sure this is mentioned in his will," said Tahiti Pacific magazine editor and ex manager of the atoll, Alex du Prel. In case there is no such mention in the will, the atoll of Tetiaroa may become a joint legacy to all his heirs. Besides, it will be their decision to accept or not, hotel projects on this paradise located less than 50 kms away from Tahiti. In 2002, notably, Tahiti Beachcomber Ltd. drew up a planning permission to build a five-star hotel the "Marlon Brando Hotel." Although negotiations with the actor were under way, nothing had been decided yet. Marlon Brando had made a promise to former owner Marjorie Smith, never to use concrete in Tetiaroa and he had always been guarantor of the atoll environmental protection. Marlon Brando received many hotel project offers and allegedly he even had a good time tearing some of them up. According to Alex du Prel, however, the actor had not excluded the possible building of a hotel in Tetiaroa. But he wanted the building architecture to be integrated with the atoll environment and to respect it. | | Marlon Brando & Tetiaroa In case the heirs want to pass on the atoll to Polynesia State, in order to protect it from massive tourist invasion and respect the actor's will, the 40 million Fcfp (about 335.000 euros) bill owned by Tetiaroa Village to Air Moorea airline, has to be paid. Moreover, Tetiaroa could be in the center of American tax department investigation, according to CNN report Marlon Brando owed them US$28 million (about Fcfp 2.8 billion) in debts. SOURCE - Tahitipresse |
