Shawn Southwick King: What Happened To Larry King's Widow After The $144 Million Estate Battle?

Shawn Southwick King, the seventh and final wife of broadcasting legend Larry King, has remained a prominent figure in the public eye, largely due to her own Hollywood career and the high-stakes legal drama that followed her husband's death. As of late 2024, the dust has finally settled on the contentious battle for the late media mogul's massive estate, allowing the singer and actress to focus on her life and career outside of the shadow of the King name. This article explores the latest updates on her life, the details of the highly publicized estate dispute, and the full scope of her varied career.

The resolution of the dispute over Larry King’s estimated $144 million estate marks a significant turning point, closing a chapter that began with King’s passing in January 2021. Shawn, who was married to King for 22 years, contested a handwritten 2019 will that notably omitted her, setting the stage for one of Hollywood's most complex and scrutinized estate battles in recent memory. While the specific financial terms of the settlement remain confidential, its conclusion allows Shawn Southwick King to move forward with renewed focus on her family and professional endeavors.

Biography and Profile of Shawn Southwick King

Shawn Southwick King, born Shawn Ora Engemann, forged a career in the entertainment industry long before she became the wife of Larry King. Her professional journey includes work as an actress, a television host, and a professional singer.

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• Full Name: Shawn Ora Engemann (Southwick King)
• Date of Birth: November 5, 1959
• Place of Birth: Studio City, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Age (as of 2024): 65 years old
• Maiden Name: Shawn Ora Engemann
• Siblings: Paul Engemann (Musician, known for the band Device and his work on the theme for The Masked Singer)
• First Marriage: Daniel Southwick (m. 1980s; div. unknown)
• Second Marriage: Larry King (m. September 5, 1997; separated 2019; until his death in 2021)
• Children:
  • Danny Southwick (from first marriage; former professional football player)
  • Chance King (with Larry King)
  • Cannon King (with Larry King)
• Known For: Actress, Singer, Television Host, and Widow of Larry King.
• Notable Roles: Appearances in Knight Rider, B.L. Stryker, and various hosting roles.

The High-Stakes Legal Battle Over Larry King’s Estate

The most significant event in Shawn Southwick's recent history is the dramatic legal confrontation over the assets of the late Larry King. The dispute began shortly after the legendary CNN interviewer's death at the age of 87 in January 2021.

The Contested Holographic Will

The core of the legal conflict centered on a handwritten will, known as a holographic will, dated October 17, 2019. This document was written two months after King filed for divorce from Shawn, although the divorce was never finalized before his death. The will stipulated that King’s entire estate, estimated at $144 million, should be split equally among his five surviving children.

Crucially, the will explicitly omitted Shawn Southwick King, despite the fact that she was still legally his wife at the time of his death. King's two children from his marriage to Shawn, Cannon King and Chance King, were named as beneficiaries, alongside his eldest son, Larry King Jr.

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Shawn’s Legal Challenge and Claims

Shawn Southwick King immediately contested the validity of the handwritten will. Her legal team argued that the document was not legally sound and that she, as the surviving spouse, should be the executor of the estate. The challenge was further complicated by the tragic deaths of two of Larry King's children, Chaia King and Andy King, who passed away shortly after the will was written but before King himself died. This failure to update the will created further uncertainty about the distribution of assets.

The legal showdown pitted Shawn against Larry King Jr., who was named as the executor in the 2019 document. The long-running public dispute was a painful affair for the entire King family, including Cannon and Chance King, who publicly supported both their mother and their father’s wishes.

Resolution and Current Status

In a major development, it was reported that the King family reached a settlement agreement, effectively ending the protracted courtroom battle. While the terms of the settlement were kept private, the resolution signifies the end of the public litigation phase. This outcome allows Shawn to focus on her personal life and her sons, Chance and Cannon, without the ongoing stress of a high-profile legal fight. The settlement underscores the importance of proper estate planning, even for blended families in the public eye.

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Shawn Southwick’s Career: From Singer to Television Host

Before her long marriage to Larry King, Shawn Southwick King had established a noteworthy career in the entertainment world, leveraging her talents as a singer and actress. Her career path provides a rich context for her life outside of the King dynasty.

Early Career and Musical Beginnings

Born Shawn Ora Engemann, she began her singing career at a very young age. She is the sister of musician Paul Engemann, who has his own notable career in the music industry. One of her earliest and most significant professional experiences was working as a backup singer for the iconic musical group, The Osmonds. This foundational work in the music industry helped to shape her professional trajectory.

Acting and Television Roles

Shawn transitioned into acting and television hosting, appearing in a number of popular shows in the 1980s and 1990s. Her acting credits include guest roles on hit series such as the original Knight Rider and the detective drama B.L. Stryker, starring Burt Reynolds. Her television work was diverse, encompassing both dramatic acting and presenting roles.

She also became a familiar face on television as a host and presenter, a career path that complemented her charismatic public persona. Her work in TV presenting and music were both significant contributors to her independent income and professional identity throughout her life.

Life Post-Larry King: Focusing on Family and Faith

Following the separation from Larry King in 2019 and his subsequent death, Shawn Southwick King has prioritized her role as a mother and her personal well-being. She is a practicing member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), a faith that has reportedly been an important part of her life.

Her Sons’ Lives and Careers

Shawn is a dedicated mother to her three sons. Her eldest, Danny Southwick, from her first marriage to Daniel Southwick, is a former professional football player. Her two sons with Larry King, Chance King and Cannon King, are now adults and have been a source of strength for her during the difficult estate process. Chance King, a talented baseball player, and Cannon King, who has also pursued creative interests, have both maintained a relatively private life despite their parents' fame.

Current Endeavors and Public Presence

While Shawn has maintained a lower profile since the resolution of the estate battle, she continues to be connected to the entertainment world. Her current focus appears to be on leveraging her experience as a producer and continuing her work in music and television from behind the scenes. She is often referred to in the press as a producer, actress, and singer, suggesting a continued, albeit less public, involvement in the industry. The closure of the estate dispute in 2024 is expected to allow her to fully embark on new personal and professional projects, solidifying her own legacy outside of the high-profile marriage that defined the last two decades of her life.