Fans Shocked to Learn that Stan Lee Spent His Last Years as a Victim of (Alleged) Elder Abuse

Stan Lee is one of the, if not the most influential figure in the world of comics and related media. Stan Lee spent a remarkable portion of his life at Marvel Comics. He began working at the company in 1939 when it was known as Timely Publications. Over the decades, he became a central figure in its development, including his roles as writer, editor, and publisher.

Lee’s tenure at Marvel continued until he officially left his executive position in the early 1990s. Despite stepping down from his day-to-day roles, he remained a beloved ambassador for Marvel until his death in 2018. In total, Stan Lee’s association with Marvel spanned nearly 80 years.

But, apparently toward the end of his light, his closest relatives and business associates used and abused him, trying to cash in on his fame and legacy.

In April 2018, a disturbing video surfaced showing the 95-year-old Stan Lee struggling to sign autographs at the Silicon Valley Comic Con. Despite his evident difficulty, he was being used to sell his signature for $120 each.

The video, dubbed “Weekend at Stan’s” by some on the internet, generated significant outrage among fans who were disturbed by what they saw, it was obvious that Stan had no idea where he was but was apparently well enough to cash out on his name.

Shortly after the video’s release, The Hollywood Reporter published an article detailing years of suspicious behavior by Lee’s advisers. The report accused them of taking over his management and finances while neglecting his well-being, using Lee primarily for their financial benefit.

After the death of his wife, Joanie, in 2017, reports of abuse surrounding Stan Lee began to surface. Joanie had effectively managed their business and protected Lee, but her passing left him vulnerable.

By spring 2018, as the disturbing Comic Con video gained attention, allegations emerged about millions being siphoned from Lee’s bank accounts, his property being plundered, and his physical health declining.

Following Lee’s death in November 2018, civil suits and a criminal elder abuse investigation were initiated against Stan Lee’s daughter J.C. and Jerardo “Jerry” Olivarez.

In the final year of his life, Stan Lee’s health rapidly declined. He was admitted to Cedars-Sinai hospital with an irregular heartbeat and shortness of breath, and soon after, he experienced a bout of pneumonia. Despite his deteriorating condition, Lee felt compelled to visit his new lawyer, Tom Lallas, on February 13 to sign a critical declaration about the turmoil in his home.

In this declaration, Lee described his daughter, J.C., as an adult with few friends who struggled to manage money. He accused her of frequent, excessive spending and characterized her demands as unrelenting. Lee depicted their disagreements as volatile, noting that J.C. often responded with yelling and hysterical crying if he did not give in to her demands. This document highlighted the severe strain and dysfunction in their relationship, suggesting emotional and financial exploitation.

Before his death, Lee specifically wanted to sue his daughter, Olivarez, and Uri Litvak, although it is unclear whether he ever filed an official lawsuit against Litvak. Olivarez was mostly accused of financial abuse and exploration, his own daughter was abused of the aforementioned and physical abuse while the exact reasons for suing Litvak were never as publicized.

The latest development in the whole legal mess was that back in 2022, Stan Lee’s estate managed to settle with Olivarez, while some suits are still ongoing.

Fans were shocked to find out about this on a Reddit thread where a detailed account of the abuse was published:

I never knew this. That’s terrible.

GirlScout-DropOut

Unfortunately he couldn’t even escape the abuse in death as his Twitter account is now just used to promote marvel movies and sell NFTs

acertifiedkorean

Family. Never underestimate the evil of family.

Fearsofaye

I can’t believe they did one of the greatest like this

Wizend_fool

Stan Lee deserved so much better. It’s a cruel irony that he made a fortune inspiring kids around the world to be essentially abused by his own. I never met him and kind of actually grateful for it now knowing this. May he rest in peace.

CementCemetery

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