GoFundMe launched for Malcolm-Jamal Warner's widow amid estate dispute
A fundraising campaign has been created for Tenija Warner, who is contesting her late husband's estate with his mother while facing financial pressures after his death.
A GoFundMe page was opened by Destiny Rael to raise money for Tenija Warner, the widow of actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who died in July 2025. Rael said Tenija has become the sole provider for their nine-year-old daughter after the actor’s death and is dealing with a flooded home, legal costs and loss of income.
According to the campaign description, Warner never signed an updated estate plan that would have secured benefits for Tenija and their child before he drowned while on vacation in Costa Rica. Tenija, a trained psychologist, left her career to homeschool their daughter and now lacks a steady income.
Last month, Tenija filed a lawsuit against her mother-in-law, Pamela Warner, the trustee of the Warner Family Trust, alleging that a 2022 prenuptial agreement entitled her to $1.2 million. She said the suit is intended to protect her rights and the interests of their daughter before any statute of limitations expires.
“For the last year, I have attempted to privately settle my beloved husband’s complicated estate and honor his last wishes,” Tenija said in a statement.
The fundraiser aims to cover immediate expenses, including home repairs and legal fees, and to provide financial stability for Tenija and her daughter while the estate matters are resolved.