Famous Last Will and Testament President Harry S Truman

About the last will and testament of famous American President Harry S Truman.

WHERE THERE'S A WILL

HARRY S TRUMAN, U.S. president, died 1972

Last Will: Receiving first mention, the American people were bequeathed the papers and historical materials housed in the Truman Library. Careful tax planning characterized the 28-page document which insured that most of his $610,000 estate went to his widow and his daughter, Margaret; as in many presidential wills, creation of a trust was the vehicle for efficient transfer. Relatives and secretaries received amounts of $500 to $1,000 apiece (except for a seminarian grandnephew vowed to poverty who received only $5). The Grandview, Mo., Masonic Lodge was deeded a tract of land for a building site. As for his tombstone, he said, "I would suggest that the slab...lie flat," and he wanted it to record only vital statistics and inclusive dates of public office.