Weeks before Oliver Tree died at 32 in a helicopter crash over Rio de Janeiro, he told Zach Sang on “The Zach Sang Show” that his will leaves nothing to his family and sends the money back to artists.
The last thing Oliver Tree shared before his death wasn’t a new song or a tour post — it was a blunt, personal rule about what should happen to his money when he’s gone.
On the April 24 episode of “The Zach Sang Show. ” the alt-pop musician behind “Miss You” explained how he drew up his will. “I don’t believe that any of the wealth or the things that get made from it is mine. ” Tree told host Zach Sang. “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.”.
He continued that even if he had a wife or kids. “they’re not getting a f****** penny.” Tree said he would “get my kids through college. ” adding. “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.” He closed the thought by insisting. “The idea is. when I die. all the money is going to go back to artists.”.
Tree died on June 14, after a helicopter traveling over Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, collided into another aircraft. The crash led to six total deaths and is currently under investigation. Along with Tree, those who died were Lucas Vignale, Gaspar “Gaspi” Prim, Lucas Brito Chaves, Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac.
At the time of his passing, Tree was believed to be single. He is survived by parents Jesse Louis Nickell III and Christine Marie Begin, and brother Caleb.
The sequence of his words and his death has hit fans hard: he’d laid out a plan to cut his family out of his fortune. even as tributes poured in after the crash. In the days that followed. famous friends leaned into the same theme he put into his will — giving his work and his identity back to the world. not keeping it locked away.
Diplo. Tree’s friend and collaborator. wrote on Instagram. “When people ask me who my dream collaborator is. I never gave the right answer… But it is. and always will be. Oliver Tree.” Diplo added. “I don’t think we’ll ever have another human like this again. No rules. No apologies. He was 1000% himself and on a mission to add more joy to this music scene. I’ve never experienced anyone with this high a level of vibration.”.
Rapper T-Pain posted, “Thanks for sharing your art and for always being different in the best way possible. See you on the brighter side 🙏🏿.” Bebe Rexha wrote on X, “I’m in shock. I was in the middle of my cd signing in nyc when I found the news of Oliver tree. I can’t believe it. We recorded a record together to be on dirty blonde. He was so smart. Passionate. Talented. Kind. I’m so sad. May he rest in peace.”.
Other tributes came from YouTuber KSI, Jacka** star Steve-O, and Tree’s ex-girlfriend Melanie Martinez, among many others.
Tree first rose to fame in 2016 as a social media personality. then expanded into music — becoming known for songs like “Miss You. ” and for his instantly recognizable theatrical bowl cut. In his final weeks. he was still shaping his legacy in the most literal way possible: not through who would inherit. but through where he wanted the money to end up — “back to artists.”.
Oliver Tree Zach Sang Show Miss You helicopter crash Rio de Janeiro Diplo T-Pain Bebe Rexha Melanie Martinez
This is wild, like who writes that kind of will…
So he’s saying nobody gets anything but artists get the money? Honestly that sounds kinda noble but also like why not at least help his family a little. People are saying it’s a “vow” but it’s just a will right?
Wait I thought he had kids? The article says “even if he had a wife or kids” like that, which means maybe he DID have them and didn’t? And the crash over Rio… is that the one where the pilot was drunk or something? I saw a clip on TikTok so idk.
The part about his family not getting a penny is really blunt, I’ll give him that. But it also feels like he was mad at somebody or something? Like “agreement” but then he’s taking away inheritance… and somehow his dad worked on stuff in the 2000s?? Not sure what that even means. Also helicopter collisions always make me think it’s some rich people stunt gone wrong, like they’ll blame “investigation” and move on.