CASH-STRAPPED Shannen Doherty died while in debt as she was forced to take out an unconventional $3 million mortgage and $150,00 bank loan while battling cancer, The U.S. Sun has learned.
Doherty was in a long-running battle for her life and was fighting her ex-husband, Kurt Iswarienko, in court until her last breath.
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As her divorce case rumbled on in the court system, Doherty claimed Iswarienko was waiting until she died so he could avoid paying spousal support, the late actress told People in June.
The former Beverly Hills 90210 actress died on Saturday following a years-long battle with breast cancer. She was 53.
Now, The U.S. Sun has learned Doherty died owing a fortune to financial institutions and over a quarter of a million dollars in legal fees.
Doherty was going through a messy split with her estranged ex, which dragged through the courts since April 2023.
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The actress asked a judge for $15,434 monthly, but Iswarienko appeared to be digging his heels in.
Less than a year before her death, Doherty was forced to take out a massive $3 million home loan on her Malibu property with ClearEdge Lending LLC in December 2023, according to documents.
ClearEdge Lending offers non-qualifying mortgages to people who do not usually meet the requirements for traditional home loans, according to their website.
Doherty revealed in court records that it was “simply not right that Kurt be permitted to prolong our divorce in hopes that I die before he is required to pay me while he continues to live his life and shirk his responsibilities to his dying wife of more than 11 years.”
Records show that Doherty was struggling financially.
DOHERTY’S FINANCIAL STRUGGLE
Her only asset was in bricks and mortar, with her Malibu home said to be worth $6 million.
Over the past three years, the actress earned $21,642 a month through her firm, Shando Productions Inc, financial records obtained by The U.S. Sun show.
However, her expenses were $53,080 a month, a shortfall of $31,438.
Doherty had huge outgoings, having paid her divorce attorney $99,430, according to documents.
But, the actress still owed an additional $170,635.
Other expenses included a $19,375 a-month mortgage and interest-only repayments of $731 on a $150,000 Small Business Administration load.
In 2018, Doherty took out another home loan for $2.8 million.
The monthly interest rate for that loan skyrocketed last August by 3.25 percent, according to financial documents.
Meanwhile, Doherty also had monthly bills, including $3,590 in property taxes, $4,103 in house maintenance, and $1,548 in utilities.
It’s unclear why Doherty took out the $3 million home load upfront.
A day before her death, Doherty filed to divorce Iswarienko and terminated her request for spousal support.
“This matter is proceeding as an uncontested action,” the filing read.
Doherty waived her right to spousal support, previously a central focal point in their contentious divorce.
“I knowingly give up forever any right to receive spousal or partner support,” the document signed by the actress read.
It also further stated that both parties were asking the court to terminate any support for either.
Shannen Doherty Cancer Battle
- In 2015, Shannen revealed she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy, radiation, a mastectomy, and reconstructive surgery.
- Two years later, the actress said she was in remission.
- In 2020, Shannen revealed her cancer had returned as stage 4.
- In early 2023, Shannen underwent surgery to have a tumor removed from her head after the cancer had spread to her brain.
- In November 2023, the actress revealed the cancer had spread to her bones.
DIVORCE FINALIZED
The U.S. Sun confirmed on Tuesday that Doherty was officially awarded a posthumous divorce this week.
In the final judgment filed and signed off by a judge on Monday, both she and Kurt were “restored to the status of single persons,” while the actress is discussed in past tense throughout the filing.
Attached to the judgement was the couple’s settlement agreement.
She was granted the couple’s marital home in Malibu, California and all art, furniture and furnishings within.
The Beverly Hills 90210 star was also awarded several automobiles including a 1979 Ford Pickup Truck, 2007 Range Rover, and 2019 Range Rover.
She was awarded a Salvador Dali painting.
The Charmed star was also granted rights to Kurt’s photography business, including half of the licensing fees from the sale of photos and videos taken while they were married that fell outside of “works for hire” jobs.
SHANNEN’S POSTHUMOUS WIN
Shannen is also barring Kurt from “exploiting” her image after her death.
The judgment read, “Any and all photographs of [Shannen] that are now in [Kurt’s] possession, regardless of when said photographs were created by [Kurt], shall be removed from Respondent’s website forthwith.
“[Kurt] shall oversee the removal of said photographs from the websites of any and all of his representatives, including his agents.
“[Kurt] shall be prohibited from exploiting the photographs of [Shannen],” the judgement declared.
She was also granted 100% of several accounts, including her SAG pension plan.