Marianne Faithfull Family Clash Over £400k Inheritance

Published: 23 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

The family of 1960s music icon Marianne Faithfull has been drawn into a bitter legal dispute over a £400,000 inheritance, highlighting a long-standing childhood grudge between siblings. The dispute, which has delayed the distribution of the estate for years, centres on Carole Jahme and her sister Patricia Tonge.

The inheritance stems from the estate of Dorothy Jahme, Oscar Dunbar’s grandmother, who died aged 97 in April 2022. Dorothy, a former teenage evacuee from London during the Blitz, was a well-known and respected figure in Axminster, Devon, where she had lived for more than four decades. Her estate, valued at around £400,000, largely comprised her home and was intended to be shared between her daughters and their children.

Tensions between Carole, 61, and Patricia, 72, have prolonged the legal proceedings. The dispute reportedly arises from a “childhood grudge” that has fueled years of animosity, with Carole accused of displaying “irrational hostility” toward her sister. Legal representatives for Patricia and her daughter, Samantha Tonge, allege that Carole focused on minor past incidents, including one in which she accused Patricia of tying a plastic bag around her head in childhood, exacerbating the conflict.

Oscar Dunbar, 32, the grandson of Marianne Faithfull and John Dunbar, has been caught in the crossfire. A musician himself and frontman of indie-rock band Khartoum, Oscar has taken a “back seat” throughout the dispute, including being removed from his role as co-executor. He also collaborated with his grandmother, Marianne Faithfull, on her posthumous album Burning Moonlight, lending vocals to the song “Love Is.”

The case has escalated to London’s High Court, with Patricia successfully applying for her younger sister Carole, to be removed as an executor. The court heard that the stalemate had caused distressing delays in managing the estate, which should have been settled years ago.

Carole Jahme, a former trapeze artist and acrobat turned dancer, actor, TV producer, and writer, has had a diverse and creative career. She is married to Nick Dunbar, Marianne Faithfull’s journalist son, further linking the family to the singer’s legacy.

Marianne Faithfull herself passed away in January last year at the age of 78. She rose to fame as a teenage singing sensation in the 1960s, famously dating Mick Jagger before overcoming personal struggles, including a battle with drug addiction, to re-establish herself as an acclaimed singer in the 1980s. Her enduring legacy has kept the family in the public eye, with her music and life story continuing to capture attention.

The dispute over Dorothy Jahme’s estate underscores how long-standing family conflicts can complicate inheritance proceedings. Legal experts note that such cases, particularly involving high-profile families, can become protracted and emotionally charged, especially when past grievances resurface during estate administration.

The High Court ruling in favour of Patricia and Samantha removes Carole from the role of executor, allowing the estate to be administered without her involvement. While the legal battle may now move toward resolution, the case highlights the emotional and financial complexities that can arise when family disputes intersect with inherited wealth.

For Oscar Dunbar, the proceedings have added another layer to a family already marked by public interest due to Marianne Faithfull’s iconic status. While he continues to focus on his music career, including performing his grandmother’s works, the dispute over the estate serves as a reminder of the private challenges faced by families of public figures.

As the legal process continues, observers note that the resolution of Dorothy Jahme’s estate could take additional months, depending on the cooperation of the remaining parties and the execution of court orders. The case also underscores the importance of clear estate planning and communication within families to prevent long-standing grievances from escalating into costly legal battles.