Chandi Heffner Wiki (Pee Wee Herman’s Wife), Age, Kids, Family, Net Worth, BIO & More

Chandi Heffner aka Charlene Gail Heffner is a philanthropist, art collector, and former adopted daughter of billionaire heiress Doris Duke. She is also known as the wife of Paul Reubens, the actor, and comedian who created the character of Pee-wee Herman. In this article, we will explore the life and legacy of Chandi Heffner, who has been involved in various charitable and cultural projects in India and the United States.

BIO/WIKI

Early Life and Adoption by Doris Duke

Chandi Heffner was born Charlene Gail Heffner on April 25, 1953, in New York City. She was raised by a single mother who worked as a waitress and struggled to make ends meet. She never knew her biological father and had a difficult childhood. She dropped out of high school and became a hippie, traveling around the country and living in communes. She also developed an interest in Eastern religions and cultures, especially Hinduism.

In 1979, Chandi Heffner met Doris Duke, the only child of tobacco tycoon James Buchanan Duke and one of the richest women in the world. Duke was 67 years old at the time and had no children of her own. She was impressed by Heffner’s intelligence, beauty, and spirituality. She invited her to stay at her mansion in Hawaii, called Shangri La, where she had a collection of Islamic art and architecture. Heffner became Duke’s companion and confidante, accompanying her on trips around the world and helping her with her philanthropic endeavors.

In 1988, Duke legally adopted Heffner as her daughter, when Heffner was 35 and Duke was 75. The adoption was controversial and raised suspicions that Heffner was after Duke’s fortune. However, both women claimed that they had a genuine mother-daughter bond and that money was not a factor. Duke also said that she wanted to pass on her legacy to someone who shared her values and vision.

Marriage to Paul Reubens

In the same year that Chandi Heffner was adopted by Duke, Heffner married Paul Reubens, the actor and comedian who created the character of Pee-wee Herman. Reubens was 36 years old at the time and had achieved fame and success with his films and television series featuring his quirky and childlike alter ego. He met Heffner through mutual friends and fell in love with her personality and charm. They had a private wedding ceremony in Hawaii, attended by Duke and a few close friends.

The marriage was surprising to many people who did not expect Reubens to settle down with anyone, let alone someone who was older than him and had such a different background. However, the couple said that they had a lot in common and that they supported each other’s careers and interests. They also said that they did not want to have children and that they were happy with their pets.

Paul Reubens’s Death Cause

Paul Reubens died of cancer on July 30, 2023, at the age of 70. He had been battling the disease for six years, but he did not disclose his diagnosis publicly. He left behind a legacy of humor, creativity, and positivity that influenced many people and generations. He was also remembered as a generous and kind person who supported various causes and charities. His fans and friends paid tribute to him on social media and expressed their sadness and gratitude for his work.

Pee-wee Herman was one of the most iconic characters in American comedy history. He brought joy and laughter to millions of people with his quirky and innocent personality. He will be missed by many who grew up with him or discovered him later in life. He will always be remembered as the man who made us say “Ha ha!”

Philanthropic Work in India

Heffner had a deep connection with India since she was young. She visited the country several times with Duke and learned about its culture, history, and spirituality. She also became a follower of Hinduism and adopted the name Chandi Devi after the goddess of power and strength.

In 1992, she founded the Chandi D. Heffner International Foundation (CDHIF) and its counterpart foundation in India (CDHIFI), with the aim of easing suffering and improving the condition of hundreds of thousands of people in India. She focused on providing medical care, food, education, veterinary care, environmental protection, cultural preservation, and women empowerment. She also sponsored performing arts competitions that awarded cash prizes to traditional artists and musicians. She bought handicrafts from local artisans to support their livelihoods and preserve their skills.

Heffner spent most of her time in India, living in a modest house in Delhi and traveling to various rural areas where her foundation operated. She became fluent in Hindi and wore Indian clothes. She also adopted several Indian children and raised them as her own. She said that she felt more at home in India than in the United States and that she wanted to dedicate her life to serving the people of India.

Relationship with Doris Duke and Inheritance Dispute

Chandi Heffner’s relationship with Duke deteriorated in the early 1990s after Duke became ill and isolated. Heffner claimed that Duke was being manipulated by her butler, Bernard Lafferty, who had control over her finances and medical care. She also claimed that Lafferty was trying to poison Duke and cut off Heffner from seeing her. She filed a lawsuit against Lafferty and other executors of Duke’s estate, alleging breach of contract and fiduciary duty.

Duke died in 1993, at the age of 80, leaving a will that shocked many people. She cut off Heffner from her inheritance, leaving her only $65,000 and a few personal items. She also left most of her estate, estimated to be worth $1.3 billion, to Lafferty and various charitable causes. She wrote in her will that she was “extremely troubled” by Heffner’s attempt to benefit financially from her adoption and that she had “no affection or regard” for her.

Chandi Heffner contested the will, arguing that it was invalid and that Duke was not of sound mind when she signed it. She also accused Lafferty of fraud, undue influence, and murder. She said that she loved Duke as her mother and that she had been promised to be the principal heir of her estate. She sought to overturn the will and claim her rightful share of the inheritance.

The legal battle lasted for several years, involving multiple lawsuits, investigations, and appeals. It also attracted a lot of media attention and public scrutiny, exposing the dark secrets and scandals of Duke’s life and death. In 1999, Heffner reached a settlement with the executors of Duke’s estate, agreeing to drop all claims in exchange for $65 million. She said that she was satisfied with the outcome and that she wanted to move on with her life.

Is Chandi Heffner Still Alive?

Chandi Heffner is still alive as of August 1, 2023. She is 70 years old and lives in Hawaii, where she runs a foundation that supports various charitable causes in India. She is also the widow of Paul Reubens, the actor, and comedian who created the character of Pee-wee Herman, who died of cancer on July 30, 2023.

Facts About Chandi Heffner

• Chandi was born Charlene Gail Heffner on April 25, 1953, in New York City. She had a difficult childhood and dropped out of high school. She became a hippie and traveled around the country, living in communes.
• She met Doris Duke in 1979 when she was 26 and Duke was 67. Duke was the only child of tobacco tycoon James Buchanan Duke and one of the richest women in the world. She invited Heffner to stay at her mansion in Hawaii, where they became friends and companions.
• Chandi Heffner was legally adopted by Duke in 1988 when she was 35 and Duke was 75. The adoption was controversial and raised suspicions that Heffner was after Duke’s fortune.
• However, both women claimed that they had a genuine mother-daughter bond and that money was not a factor.
• She married Paul Reubens, the actor, and comedian who created the character of Pee-wee Herman, in the same year that she was adopted by Duke.
• Chandi founded the Chandi D. Heffner International Foundation (CDHIF) and its counterpart foundation in India (CDHIFI) in 1992, with the aim of easing suffering and improving the condition of hundreds of thousands of people in India.
• Chandi Heffner focused on providing medical care, food, education, veterinary care, environmental protection, cultural preservation, and women empowerment.
• She became a follower of Hinduism and adopted the name Chandi Devi after the goddess of power and strength. She also learned Hindi and wore Indian clothes.
• Chandi Heffner spent most of her time in India, living in a modest house in Delhi and traveling to various rural areas where her foundation operated.
• She sponsored performing arts competitions that awarded cash prizes to traditional artists and musicians.
• Chandi also bought handicrafts from local artisans to support their livelihoods and preserve their skills.
• Some of the traditional handmade Indian products that she bought were pottery, silk and cotton embroidery, utensils and hardware made from raw iron, wood carvings, book bindings, and horse-drawn carts.
• Chandi Heffner contested Duke’s will after Duke died in 1993. Duke cut off Heffner from her inheritance, leaving her only $65,000 and a few personal items.
• Chandi also left most of her estate, estimated to be worth $1.3 billion, to her butler, Bernard Lafferty, and various charitable causes.
• Chandi Heffner sued Lafferty and other executors of the estate, alleging fraud, undue influence, and murder. She sought to overturn the will and claim her rightful share of the inheritance.
• The legal battle lasted for several years, involving multiple lawsuits, investigations, and appeals. It also attracted a lot of media attention and public scrutiny, exposing the dark secrets and scandals of Duke’s life and death. She settled the case in 1999 for $65 million.