Rich Frenchwoman leaves fortune to loyal housekeeper

A French businesswoman who had lived in Thailand for years has left her fortune to her faithful housekeeper. Thai media report this.

Catherine Delacote (59) moved with her then husband to Koh Samui, a paradise island in the south of Thailand, 12 years ago. After their divorce, Delacote continued to live alone in Thailand, where she rented out five villas.

The woman reportedly suffered from cancer and apparently committed suicide. Her body was found on Monday morning (local time) by an employee on a lounger by the pool. According to Thai police, “a pistol, a bullet casing, a glass of vodka, a pair of sunglasses and a pack of cigarettes” were found next to the body. According to the police, Delacote had previously transferred 500,000 baht (about 12,600 euros) to her housekeeper to pay for her funeral.

The woman is said to have left her entire inheritance to her housekeeper Nutwalai Phupongta (49), who had worked for her for 17 years. This would involve the villas, other land, a car, and cash – all together worth about 100 million baht (2.5 million euros).