Latest news with #widow
The Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Diogo Jota's widow Rute Cardoso pays heartbreaking tribute a month on from wedding – that came just days before crash
THE heartbroken widow of Diogo Jota has shared a touching tribute to her husband a month after their wedding. Rute Cardoso, 28, posted a trio of images of the happy couple on their big day which came just 10 days before the Liverpool star's tragic death. 3 3 The touching post read: "1 month of our 'until death do us part'. "For ever, your white girl." It was shared alongside a trio of heartbreaking images from the couple's wedding. One has them walking hand-in-hand with their wedding rings on show. The other two appear to be taken from their first dance at the grand ceremony. Jota was reportedly heading to catch a ferry and return to the UK when he died in a car crash alongside his brother at the start of July. The 28-year-old Portuguese forward was driving through Zamora, Spain in a Lamborghini when his flat tyre suddenly burst and sent the car veering off the road. His brother André Silva, 25, who played for Portuguese second-tier club Penafiel, was also in the car when it caught fire after crashing. The sporting world was left in shock after the brother's deaths were confirmed. Thousands paid their respects to the Premier League champion and sent their condolences to Rute and the children. Jota had married his high school sweetheart less than two weeks before the fatal accident. The couple met at school as teenagers and had been together for 13 years. They shared sons Dinis, four, and Duarte, two, and a baby girl. The footballer had only just left his young family hours earlier after having lunch with them in a paradise Atlantic Ocean resort dubbed 'the most beautiful land" in Portugal.
The Sun
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Impeccably restored Ford Escort kept in same family for 50 years finally sells for staggering 6-figure sum
AN impeccably preserved Ford Escort which was in the same family for nearly 50 years has been sold for a staggering sum. The 1976 Ford Escort Mk II RS 1800 was kept off the road in a barn for most of its life. 4 4 4 The amazing vehicle was purchased in 1977 for an unknown amount but the owner only drove it for ten years. The motor then underwent a restoration and was hidden in a barn for over 35 years. After the owner's recent passing, his widowed wife has put the Ford up for sale at auctioneers Historics, of Iver, Bucks. The exceptionally rare vehicle sparked a bidding war and went under the hammer for a whopping £276,000. His 'pride and joy' was originally registered to the Ford Motor Company and one of just five cars used by Ford as a Press car. There were only 109 examples manufactured all together of the model which enjoyed huge rallying success in the late 70s and early 80s. Its rallying abilities were enhanced by the 1.8-liter Cosworth BDA (Belt Drive A-Type) engine which generated over 240bhp. The lightweight and nimble chassis and suspension of the Mk. II were carried over from its predecessor. Its responsive handling and balance, especially on loose gravel surfaces, made it a driver favourite thanks to its rear-wheel-drive setup. The white car with the small strip of bright and dark blue paint above the wheels has only travelled a total of 24,186 miles, or 500 miles annually on average. Iconic 1965 Ford Racer that starred in Top Gear is so rare only two in the world exist - but could be yours at auction The sought-after Ford has undergone a second revamp before the auction but has to be treated gently due to its low mileage. A Historics spokesperson said: "Beyond its rallying success, the Escort RS1800 Mk II remains a cherished car among enthusiasts and collectors. "Its combination of performance, history, and timeless design continues to captivate fans. "Restored and modified examples are frequently seen in classic car rallies and events, a testament to its enduring legacy. "The car sat in a barn for 35 years with the rebuilt engine sat on a pallet next to the RS1800. "Time had taken its toll and another restoration project was undertaken, with the plan to present the car in the best possible condition. "The registered keeper sadly passed away and the car is now registered in the name of his widow. "It runs beautifully although needs to be treated gently as it has only done less than 50 miles since the rebuild." 4
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Widow, 50, of millionaire, 75, who died a DAY after wedding ‘broken' by claims she ‘engineered' death to inherit fortune
THE widow of a millionaire who died a day after their wedding is "broken" by claims she "engineered" his death for money. Mum-of-three Lisa Flaherty, who is 50, married dying landowner Joseph Grogan, who was 75, in secret. 4 4 He knew he didn't have long to live after a long fight with blood cancer and had no children. So he married his partner and gave her the right to inherit his estate - but shockingly he died just 24 hours later. Lisa now stands to inherit his 220 acre farm in Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly, which is valued at €5.5 million (£4.77 million). The timing prompted a slew of claims about Lisa being a gold digger who married him for his money. More insidious claims suggested she had known the millionaire farmer was dying and saw an opportunity to get her hands on the estate. She moved in with him in January 2023 to become his carer when he was diagnosed with stage four non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He died three months later. But they previously dated in 1991 - when she was just 16 and he was 41. Lisa went on to marry another man and had three kids who are now in their 20s. But her friends told the Mail that the pair remained close. They said she is "broken" after lawyers for the Grogan family questioned her credibility. Joe Keys, a friend of Mr Grogan, said: "The world can think what it wants but how Lisa has been portrayed is not right. "They were both wonderful people who were very well respected in this community. Lisa didn't care for Joe because she wanted his money, that's total rubbish." A close friend of Ms Flaherty said: "It does sound a bit strange, but this is rural Ireland, strange things happen." The friends and locals claimed Mr Grogan and Lisa remained very involved in one another's lives. However his family insist he was a bachelor, and claimed they were excluded from being involved in his life as his health went downhill. They didn't know Lisa and Mr Grogan had got married and only found out he had passed away after being told by a friend. The coroner said Mr Grogan's death was likely due to a "probability of infection" with his immune system compromised. But he was embalmed within a matter of hours, a time frame Coroner Raymond Mahon said made it difficult to determine a definitive cause of death. A SECRET MARRIAGE During a three-day inquest, Peter Jones, the solicitor representing Mr Grogan's 90-year-old aunt said "an awful lot of unanswered questions" remain. He also pointed to the "undue haste" with which he said the farmer's remains were taken to be embalmed. Barrister Damien Tansey, representing Mr Grogan's cousins, pushed for the Gardai to conduct a forensic investigation before the coroner came to a decision. Coroner Mahon, however, dismissed the suggestion. According to Mr Tansey Mr Grogan's death, which he called "sudden and unexpected" had caused a stir in the community. He went on to claim that the concerns raised by residents of the local area and the medical community had not been addressed by the inquest. A pathologist had confirmed that cancer had not been the cause of death, and neither was organ failure. Pathologist Charles d'Adhemar had warned that if the three medications Mr Grogan had been prescribed were not administered correctly, it could depress his respiratory and nervous systems. Mr Tansey claimed that the speedy embalming procedure meant the pathologist could not test for drugs in the deceased's system. Lisa had repeatedly claimed that her husband had inoperable, stage four cancer and was at the end of life stage - something his family disputed. He added that the secrecy of the marriage was concerning. The coroner said he would not rule on the validity of the marriage. And Stephen Byrne, representing Lisa, said that Mr Tansey had all but accused her of causing Mr Grogan's death. He went on to say that he had been concerned the inquest into Mr Grogan's death would be used to attack her good name. Mr Byrne continued, saying that the person who stepped up and cared for Mr Grogan - Lisa - had been "dragged over the coals." Mr Byrne said: "He knew his own body, and he knew he was not going to beat this [cancer]." The inquest ultimately ruled that Mr Grogan died of natural causes linked to cancer and his treatment. He added that there were "valid concerns" about Mr Grogan's care but said it must be remembered that the deceased was very reluctant to see a doctor. 4
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Revealed: Widow branded a 'gold digger' after secretly marrying super rich farmer a DAY before he died is 'broken' by his bitter family's claims
A widow who was all but accused of murdering her wealthy, much older husband to get his hands on his money has been left 'broken' at the portrayal of her as a cold-hearted gold digger. When Lisa Flaherty, a 50-year-old mother-of-three married dying landowner Joseph Grogan, 75, in secret, he was in the final stages of his long fight against blood cancer. Both Ms Flaherty and Mr Grogan, who had no children of his own, knew he didn't have long left to live, and his motivation was to secure the financial future of the woman who had cared for him - and guarantee her right to inherit his €5.5million estate. As it turned out his death came just 24 hours later and his body was embalmed within hours, making it virtually impossible to determine a definite cause of death. Mr Grogan's passing sparked a bitter war of words between Ms Flaherty and his family, who are fighting her for his 230-acre farm in the rural village of Screggan, a sleepy, forgotten backwater in Co Offaly, central Ireland. They paint a picture of Ms Flaherty as a calculating black widow who, sensing an opportunity to get her hands on his estate, moved in with him in January 2023 to become his carer when he was first diagnosed with stage four non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He died three months later on April 15 of that year. But their story is a lot more complicated than that with her friends keen to point out that it goes all the way back to 1991 when Ms Flaherty was 16 and had just finished school and he was a 41-year-old farmer, some 25 years her senior. They were together for some years before they split when Ms Flaherty reached her early 20s. She went on to marry a local man, with whom she had three children; two girls called Danielle and Emma and a son, Darcy. All are now in their mid 20s. But all the while, say friends, Joseph was an ever-present in her life, in the background and the pair remained close. He was seen very much as a father figure to her son and two daughters growing up, they say. It's why those close to Ms Flaherty told MailOnline that she has been left 'broken' at the suggestion that she 'engineered' his death for financial gain. During an inquest into his death last week, she broke down on several occasions and had to leave the court as lawyers for the Grogan family called into question her credibility – and accusing her of leaving him to die at home by not calling in medics or taking him to hospital. Those close to Ms Flaherty say the uncaring portrayal of her couldn't be further from the truth. Those who know the couple in Screggan, which is made up of a shop, a pub, an off licence, a hair salon and around 100 homes, say behind the salacious headlines lies an unorthodox tale of enduring love and commitment between the two. Joe Keys, who was one of Mr Grogan's best friends said: 'The world can think what it wants but how Lisa has been portrayed is not right. They were both wonderful people who were very well respected in this community. Lisa didn't care for Joe because she wanted his money, that's total rubbish.' A close friend of Ms Flaherty fumed: 'I've known both all my life and I can promise you, they were very much in love. They were committed to each other, nobody cared for Joe like Lisa did, not even his own family. The two of them were inseparable. 'She's the one who was beside him throughout his life and when he needed her most, as he was dying. She did an amazing job, and it wasn't for financial reasons, Lisa is not that sort of person. She's one of the most loving and kind people you could ever meet.' While giving evidence at the inquest, Ms Flaherty indicated that her relationship with Mr Grogan started when she was a teenager. This led to an angry response from Damien Tansey, barrister for three of his first cousins, who claimed that it had caused anxiety to his family as it 'puts Joseph Grogan into the realm of being a paedophile.' But Ms Flaherty's friend explained: 'It does sound a bit strange, but this is rural Ireland, strange things happen. Lisa was very young when she first met Joe, but it wasn't a big deal, she was above the legal age of consent and there was nothing paedophile about his intentions. It was the start of a loving, caring relationship that continued for many years. 'Although they split up when Lisa was in her 20s, Joe remained a big part of her life. He thought of those kids as his own, had Christmas dinner with them every year and at one point, Darcy was even working for him at a quarry he ran on his farm. 'Even though Lisa and Joe went their separate ways, the bond between them was always there and grew stronger. He would always refer to her as 'My Lisa.' They were together even when they weren't together if you know what I mean.' After splitting from her husband, Ms Flaherty raised her children in a modest three-bedroom terraced home located just a five-minute walk from Mr Grogan's detached bungalow, which lies at the entrance to his sprawling farm. She divided her time between the two properties but as his health deteriorated, she virtually lived with Mr Grogan full time and combined caring for him with her work as a special needs assistant in a local school. Ms Flaherty is also a leading figure in women's Gaelic football and has even worked for the sport's governing body to help develop the sport amongst girls. Thomas, who has lived in Screggan for more than 50 years, said: 'Joe was a very big-hearted man, he'd do anything for anyone. Lisa is really involved in local sports and is a pillar of our community. You won't find anyone around here who has a bad word to say about either of them.' But Mr Grogan's family would beg to differ. They insisted during the inquest that he was a confirmed bachelor and that they were excluded from being involved in his life, especially towards his latter days. They were not informed about his marriage and only discovered he had died after being told by a friend. Mr Grogan was an only child who came from a large extended family and had 39 cousins. He inherited his multi-million farm from his father and also received close to £800,000 in compensation after part of it was compulsorily purchased to build a road. A Grogan family source told MailOnline that a family meeting is to be held over the coming weeks where they will consider what further legal steps they can take. The source said: 'Our position is clear. The marriage is a sham and is not valid and we are considering challenging this in the High Court. We also have concerns about the care Joe received or rather didn't receive and this adds to our argument that the police need to investigate. 'We don't want to say too much about Ms Flaherty and what some of the local community think about her because we know what we think. Our lawyers made this clear during the inquest and nothing has changed.' At the inquest, three of Mr Grogan's cousins, Alo, Margaret and Seán were represented by barrister Damien Tansey. His 90-year-old aunt, Teresa Mooney was represented by solicitor Peter Jones. All challenged the validity of the marriage while calling on the coroner to order a police investigation and return a verdict of unlawful killing. But the coroner delivered a 'narrative verdict' which is an account of the circumstances surrounding a death rather than a direct ruling as to its cause. He said that it was probably due to an infection associated with Mr Grogan's cancer, chemotherapy treatment, damage to the immune system, and significant weight loss. He added that there had been 'valid criticism' of his care in the days leading up to his death, but it had to be borne in mind that Mr Grogan did not want to go to hospital. His friends in Screggan also told MailOnline that he had made it clear to them that he wanted to die at home and was not interested in further medical attention. The coroner also said that he could not make any ruling on the validity of the marriage and that the evidence of Mr Grogan's death did not come 'anywhere near' the threshold required for a finding of unlawful killing. Following the inquest, Ms Flaherty has temporarily left Screggan with friends claiming that she needs time to recuperate and 'mend.' But since Mr Grogan's death she has already taken over the management of his farm, which is well known for staging Ireland's National Ploughing Championships. She recently appeared with her three children at a media event to announce this year's competition which will be staged from September 16-18 where she was named as 'Lisa Flaherty Grogan.' As her close friend Margaret maintained: 'She has every right to take Joe's name and his farm. She's the one who did all the hard work and he wanted to make sure she was financially cared for after he died. There's nothing more to this case than that.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ask an Advisor: Can I Take My Late Husband's Social Security and Switch to My Benefit at 70?
I am a widow and plan to work until my full retirement age (FRA). However I was wondering if I could draw my late husband's Social Security benefits at age 67 or 68 and then switch to my own at age 70? I am currently 61 years old and my salary is $150,000. I own a home with no mortgage and I have a 401(k) from my current job and another retirement account from a previous job. – Felicia Felicia, I'm sorry for your loss. Yes, you can collect survivor benefits based on your late husband's earnings and later switch to your own retirement benefit at age 70. This strategy often leads to confusion, especially because survivor benefits are distinct from spousal benefits, which apply when a spouse is still living. The rules work differently, so it's worth clearing up how they apply in your situation. Do you have a similar financial question that you need answered? Consider matching with a for free to get personalized advice. Survivor Benefits vs. Spousal Benefits Spousal benefits allow someone to claim a benefit on their living spouse's earnings record. Survivor benefits are what a widow or widower receives from a deceased spouse's record. There are some notable similarities and important differences between these two types of benefits. On one hand, both benefits allow you to receive a payment that's based on your spouse's record. However, spousal benefits can be as high as 50% of your spouse's primary insurance amount (PIA)-the amount they would receive at full retirement age. Survivor benefits, however, can be as much as 100% of what the deceased spouse was receiving or was eligible to receive at the time of death, depending on the survivor's age at the time of claim. Claiming either benefit before full retirement age reduces the amount received. Also, you cannot collect both your own retirement benefit and a spousal or survivor benefit at the same time. Instead, you receive the higher of the two. (For additional help planning for or managing Social Security benefits, consider working with a financial advisor.) What is Deemed Filing? SmartAsset and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. A key distinction in your situation involves a rule known as 'deemed filing.' When someone applies for spousal benefits, they are generally treated as having also filed for their own retirement benefit. But this rule does not apply to survivor benefits. Deemed filing was expanded under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. Under these rules, if you're eligible for both your own benefit and a spousal benefit and file for one, you're automatically considered to have filed for the other. This eliminates the ability to collect one benefit while letting the other grow. Before the change, a common strategy was to file a restricted application for spousal benefits while delaying your own retirement benefit to earn delayed credits-a tactic no longer allowed for those born after January 1, 1954. (While it's been 10 years since this change, some people still bring up those old strategies occasionally.) In other words, you can't claim a spousal benefit at age 67 while your own retirement benefit continues to earn delayed filing credits until you turn 70 and then switch to the higher benefit. The point of discussing this here is to clarify that this does not apply to your situation. You are talking about survivor benefits, which are not subject to deemed filing rules. So yes, you can claim your survivor benefit at 67 and then wait until you turn 70 to file for your own retirement benefit. The end result is very different than what would happen if this were spousal benefits. (If you need help finding a financial advisor to assess your options when filing for Social Security, this free tool can connect you with fiduciary advisors who serve your area.) Bottom Line A surviving spouse can claim Social Security survivor benefit without affecting their own retirement benefit, which is based on their earnings record. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 significantly limited switching strategies, but it did not change the rules for survivor benefits. You can still claim a survivor benefit without affecting your own retirement benefit. By delaying your own benefit, you could receive a significant boost. Social Security Planning Tips A financial advisor can help you plan for Social Security based on your unique financial situation and needs. Finding a financial advisor doesn't have to be hard. SmartAsset's free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you're ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. Before you make a decision on when to claim your benefits, it's important to evaluate your income needs and estimate of how much your benefits could be worth at different claiming ages. SmartAsset's Social Security Calculator uses your earnings and age to project the value of your benefits, whether you collect them at 62 or wait until 70. Photo credit: © of Brandon Renfro, © © The post Ask an Advisor: Can I Take My Late Husband's Social Security and Switch to My Benefit at 70? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
