Weeks before his death at 32, Oliver Tree said his will was set so that no one in his family would receive money “when I die.” Speaking on “The Zach Sang Show,” he also described plans for his art to continue through a committee that would decide where money g
The last thing Oliver Tree left behind wasn’t just a voice—he left instructions.
Seven weeks before he died. the singer-songwriter told listeners that if he passed. nobody in his family would be getting anything from what he built. During an April 25 appearance on “The Zach Sang Show. ” Tree said. “I don’t believe that any of the wealth or the things that get made from it [a career] is mine. So when I die — I’ve set it up — my will is set up that when I pass. my family. no one’s going to get a penny.”.
Tree died at 32 on the morning of Sunday, June 14, after two helicopters collided in southwest Rio de Janeiro. CNN Brasil reported that Tree was one of six passenger fatalities.
In the same April interview. Tree expanded on how he wanted his money handled if he’d found a partner and started a family. “If I have a wife or kids or anything, [they’re] not getting a f—ing penny,” he said. “I’ll get my kids through college. That’s the agreement. But there’s not going to be a silver spoon. They’re taken care of because my dad worked on some stuff in the 2000s. The idea is, when I die, all the money is going to go back to artists.”.
That outlook also showed up in how he talked about his legacy. On the podcast, Tree said he hoped his artistic pursuits would keep generating residual value after he was gone. “When I die, my art will continue to have residuals and probably be worth more than it is now. People will finally appreciate my stupid f—ing videos or my stupid f—ing songs,” he said. “That’s when people appreciate you, when you’re not there anymore. I have basically a committee that I’ve set up when I pass — and I plan to do it while I’m alive — where basically everyone will vote on who the money goes to each year.”.
Tree had been in Brazil as part of a world tour, performing on June 6 in São Paulo. He was scheduled to perform in Lisbon, Portugal, on Monday, July 13. CNN Brasil reported that the crash happened in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, a coastal area in Rio de Janeiro. The outlet added there were no survivors and that the collision caused further damage when loose copters hit an electric vehicle yard. setting fire to more than 20 vehicles.
Just hours before the incident, Tree shared a playful video from Brazil. “Gringo’s 24 hours in Brazil,” Tree and a collaborator named Iae Break wrote in Spanish via Instagram on Saturday, June 14. The clip showed Tree playing soccer. getting a haircut to upkeep his signature bowl cut and lengthy mullet. and cooking meat.
The death of Tree—known for his hit song “Life Goes On” and for attracting more than 2 million social media followers—has prompted reactions across Hollywood. influencer circles. and music. Yet in the middle of the outpouring. the clearest through line keeps returning to what he said about money: not about keeping it in the family. but about sending it back out to artists. with a committee deciding where it goes each year.
Oliver Tree The Zach Sang Show death at 32 helicopter collision Rio de Janeiro will legacy residuals artists Life Goes On Zach Sang
So his family gets nothing even if they were there for him? wild.
I feel like people are making it sound cleaner than it is. Like “committee decides” who even is that? If he cared about residual value going back to artists, why not at least something to family…
Wait, didn’t he say the family won’t get his wealth but then also said he’d get his kids through college?? That sounds like they would get money unless college is like… not money? I’m confused.
The helicopter thing is so sad but the headline about “family won’t receive his wealth” is messed up. Like okay, sure, artists get it back, but what if his family is the reason he even got started. Also “when I pass”… he died like a week later?? sounds like he knew something.