This woman's community was in for a big surprise when they were told that their old neighbor left them not only her valuables and shares but also an estate that is worth millions of dollars. The only condition Renate Wedel left in her will for her property was that the estate and money be used for community purposes and it should benefit all.
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A surprising event happened in Germany where the death of an elderly German woman left her society in shock for the gift she left behind for them.
According to Yahoo Finance, when 81-year-old Renate Wedel from the Weiperfelden district of Waldsolms in Hesse who had lived in her $7.5 million worth estate since 1975 left the property for her neighbors when she passed away in 2019.
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Renate's husband was a wealthy man who had built up a fortune during his time alive. He was a successful stockbroker. However, death leaves no one. After the death of her dear husband, 88-year old dear Renate relocated to a Frankfurt nursing home for health purposes. But her heart remained in her beloved home that was back in Hesse.
CNN reports, the Waldsolms district, which inherited the sum, is made up of six villages. Back in April, the community was informed that they now legally owned the couple’s property but also their bank balance, shares, and valuables.
The Community of Waldsolms
“I thought at first, this is simply not possible,” said local mayor Bernd Heine. “I thought a comma had slipped, something is not quite right.”
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Renate moved into an old age home in 2016. At that time the legal heir of the estate was her sister. But her sister also passed away shortly after. '
The community which inherited the old German couple's fortune had other big surprises waiting for them. Apart from their savings and valuables they inherited a beautiful Weiperfelden property that once served as the couple's home.
The Community of Waldsolms
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Though the house was to go to another inheritor, the initial inheritor rejected the will decision and claimed that the property this huge would be a difficult task to maintain, explaining that the costliness of upkeep, including that of the home’s outbuildings, wouldn’t be worth the effort.
However, the liquid cash that is given to the community comes with some conditions.
The Community of Waldsolms
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The will states that the $7.5 million inheritance is to be used exclusively for “community facilities and infrastructure.” The community on other hand is more than happy to comply with these conditions.
“The community of Waldsolms posthumously thanks the Wedel couple for this important inheritance,” the community said in a statement. “We will deal with it very responsible, develop our community for the good of all and keep an honorable memory of both.”
The Community of Waldsolms
Discussions are underway to discuss how to spend the fortune wisely. Some innovative ideas have been shared too. The mayor has suggested using the money to install cyclin paths for the community while many others have suggested buildings new buildings, kindergarten as well as an outdoor pool.
The Community of Waldsolms
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Apparently, this German woman's story is not the first one to share as back in 2019 a social worker named Alan Naiman who used to wear duct-shaped shoes left his loved ones reeling in shock when after his death he left $11 million for charity.
Alan had a career in banking which he left to do social work. Then after his death, he left this huge sum for those people he used to work for.
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For Renate, she had no children or family to share her fortune with it so she decided to do the best with it and leave it for those who will use it effectively.
The Community of Waldsolms