(People) - The late visionary fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld’s cat, Choupette, is still living the high life following the death of her beloved owner. Lagerfeld died in 2019 at the age of 85.
In an exclusive interview with Hello!, published on Monday, April 7, Lagerfeld’s former housekeeper, Françoise Caçote, shared details about the Birman feline’s pampered lifestyle, which has been undisturbed since the death of her legendary owner.
Choupette, who will be turning 14 this year, is cared for by and lives with Caçote, her husband and their children, along with a rescue cat named Siana, in a Parisian apartment. Caçote’s caretaking goes beyond just the standard food and playtime sessions. The former housekeeper also takes care of the cat's business endeavors, including her work schedule.
The feline has an impressive modeling career and has worked with A-list models, including Kendall Jenner, Naomi Campbell and Gisele Bündchen. “We're very selective about the shoots we do,” Caçote told Hello!. “Choupette has always had the character of a princess. And unfortunately, as she gets older, it doesn't get any better!”
It’s rumored that Lagerfeld left a large portion, if not all, of his nearly $300 million fortune to Choupette — though there’s no confirmation on any specific dollar amount. Of course, it is understood that her inheritance is well into the millions, which also includes her earnings from her successful career.
"She has her own little fortune, she is an heiress: If something happens to me, the person who will take care of it will not be in misery," Lagerfeld said before his death, as reported by CBS News. "She's a rich girl!"
So, if animal lovers ever wondered if pets know their social status, the proof is in Choupette. As Caçote explains, the cat knows that she’s in charge and, in typical cat behavior, does what she wants when she wants.
"She's the boss here," Caçote revealed. "It's, 'When I want, how I want, and if I want to be brushed, I'll be brushed. If I don't want to be brushed, I won't be brushed.'"
She continued, "And it's the same about everything. If I tell her, 'No, you have to be brushed,' she will growl. She will leave without letting me. That's how she is."
Despite her moody temperament, the loyal caretaker also said Choupette is truly “darling” and that the family has found ways to adapt to their housemate. The finicky feline also had to make adjustments, as she had to learn how to live with another cat when Caçote’s daughter brought home an abandoned cat from Guadeloupe.
“We were a little apprehensive about the cohabitation since Choupette had never lived with another cat under the same roof,” Caçote explained. “But I think it's what she needed. Choupette is quite old, and so having a youngster in the house has made her a bit more alert,” adding that, thankfully, the two felines do “get on well.”
In any case, the additional four-legged friend in the home has not stopped Choupette from enjoying the lavished lifestyle Lagerfeld intended for her. For instance, prior to his death, the former Chanel creative director allowed the cat to sleep on piles of clothing from the luxury brand, to which Caçote adds, “Her habits haven’t changed.”
The "Chinese porcelain bowls that Monsieur was also very fond of" are still the same, as is "her little Vuitton bag," Caçote confirmed. As for travel, she states that it's an "advantage" Choupette is "used to."
"...to be able to walk and enjoy the outdoors... It's what she used to experience with her dad when she would go to Saint-Tropez," Caçote said, adding, "It's what I'm trying to offer her."
By Moná Thomas
April 9, 2025
