Instagram/Prince & L. Londell McMil Music Eight years after Prince's death, his $156M estate remains in a complex legal battle. Explore the legacy of control he left without a will. April 22, 2026 AceShowbiz - The passing of Prince in 2016 ignited a prolonged and complex legal struggle over control of his $156 million estate that continues to unfold nearly a decade later. Prince, who died from a fentanyl overdose on April 21, 2016, was widely celebrated not only for his musical genius but also for his meticulous management of his image, music rights, and intellectual property.