Malcolm McLaren Death Mask Sparks Family Fight Years Later

A bronze death mask of Malcolm McLaren, meant as a memento, is now the center of a bitter family dispute. This is happening over 16 years after his death in 2010.
By Newsroom | Arts and Culture, UK News |

The Artifact Ignites Bitter Disputes Years After His Passing

More than 16 years after the death of Malcolm McLaren, the impresario behind punk’s raw energy, a controversy surrounding his final resting place and, specifically, his bronze death mask, has resurfaced. The death mask, intended as a memento of the former Sex Pistols manager, has become a focal point of intense family discord, with his last girlfriend leveling accusations against his brother and son.

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The girlfriend, who remains unnamed in reports but is presented as his final companion, claims McLaren's brother and son treated him as a "cash cow" during his life. She suggests McLaren was "cruel" and that his final days were marked by distress, stating, "He was clutching his back when he got home." She asserts, "He did his best," in reference to McLaren, but casts a harsh light on those closest to him after his passing.

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A History of Disturbance

This is not the first time McLaren's grave has been the site of public disturbance. In November 2017, vandals defaced his bronze death mask by pouring green paint over it at Highgate Cemetery. His headstone was also daubed with the words "No future" in pink paint. At the time, his son, Joe Corré, son of designer Dame Vivienne Westwood, suggested the culprit likely had a "personal gripe."

McLaren, a multifaceted figure in art, fashion, and music, died in 2010 at the age of 64. He was a key promoter of the punk movement, though his son Joe Corré has stated that the Sex Pistols "were never really about the music" under McLaren's management.

Broader Family Context

The current conflict appears to be an extension of ongoing tensions within the McLaren family. The accusations from his last girlfriend highlight a narrative of exploitation, casting a shadow over the legacy of a man who himself courted controversy and challenged conventions throughout his career. The protracted dispute over his memorial suggests that even in death, McLaren continues to be a catalyst for chaos and unresolved familial conflict.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the argument about Malcolm McLaren's death mask?
Malcolm McLaren's death mask has become a point of conflict for his family. His last girlfriend is accusing his brother and son of treating him like a 'cash cow' and causing him distress before he died.
Q: Has Malcolm McLaren's grave been disturbed before?
Yes, in November 2017, vandals poured green paint on his bronze death mask and wrote 'No future' on his headstone at Highgate Cemetery.
Q: Who was Malcolm McLaren?
Malcolm McLaren was a key figure in the punk movement, managing the Sex Pistols. He died in 2010 at the age of 64 and was involved in music, art, and fashion.
Q: What is the broader family situation?
The current argument seems to be part of long-standing problems within the McLaren family. The dispute over his memorial shows that he continues to cause conflict even after death.