Kinkade's Wife, Girlfriend End Fight With Secret Deal

And just like that, the drama surrounding Thomas Kinkade's estate has come to an end. Kinkade's estranged wife, Nanette, has settled with Amy Pinto, Kinkade's girlfriend who had been living with him and refused to leave his house after he died. There are no details about who gets what, but the San Jose Mercury News has this surprisingly pleasant joint statement: "Putting Mr. Kinkade's message of love, spirituality, and optimism at the forefront, the parties are pleased that they have honored Mr. Kinkade by resolving their differences amicably."

Pinto had produced two hardly-legible wills that, she claimed, Kinkade wrote a few months before his death, leaving her his mansion and $10 million. Her lawyers also interpreted the notes to mean that Pinto would also get $66 million worth of his paintings, as Kinkade wanted her to use the $10 million to set up a museum of his art. Pinto had promised to reveal her and Kinkade's story, insisting she was not a gold-digger but his true love, but now she has agreed to be silent as part of the settlement. (More Thomas Kinkade stories.)