Sadie had been married to Houdini’s brother Nathan but married the younger brother, Leopold, ten days after her divorce to Nathan was finalized. Houdini also chose to exclude certain people from his estate, most notably his sister-in-law twice-over, Sadie Weiss. He also left his most valuable books to the Library of Congress. Houdini put some specific requirements upon the funds allowing some to receive their portion only if they “shall have been confirmed according to the Jewish law and traditions.” Houdini also gave his theatrical effects, new mysteries and illusions to his magician brother, Theodore, with instructions that they be burned upon Theodore’s death. In his will he gave $500 to each of his three assistants, $1,000 to the Society of American Magicians, requested that portions of his estate be liquidated and distributed to family members over time, and that 1/6 th of the estate should go to his wife Beth with the remaining portions going to his remaining siblings. Houdini had created a very detailed 23-clause-long will in 1924 with a codicil (update) done in 1925. After the show, Houdini was hospitalized and later died of peritonitis from a ruptured appendix at 1:26 PM on October 31, 1926.

He had already been diagnosed with acute appendicitis and likely would have lived had he decided to seek medical attention immediately upon his initial injury. Houdini gave his last performance at the Garrick Theatre in Detroit, Michigan on Octowith a fever of 104 degrees Fahrenheit. The magician showed signs that the punches had hurt him, but continued to perform despite the increasing pain. Unexpectedly to Houdini, and before he could flex his stomach muscles to protect himself, Whitehead began to give repeated blows to Houdini’s abdomen. Gordon Whitehead, asked Houdini if it were true that he could sustain any blow to the stomach. Reports state that a McGill University student, J. Instead, at the young age of 52, Houdini passed away of a ruptured appendix. Despite his many death-defying stunts, it was not a performance that killed him. Harry Houdini is known as one of the best magicians and escape artists of all time – perhaps even THE best. Who To Contact After A Loved Ones Death.Recent Law Changes and Improvements Affecting Arizona.

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