Born in 1982, Raiatua Brando is Tarita Teriipaia’s niece. She was adopted by the famous American actor Marlon Brando 10 years after Tarita and Marlon divorced. Tarita was the 3rd wife of the actor.
Parents
Marlon Brando was first recognized as the “Best American Actor” for his roles in the movies “The Godfather” and “A Streetcar Named Desire.” Before his marriage to Tarita Teriipaia, the popular actor had been married twice. He had three children from his previous marriages. Christian Brando was the product of his first marriage, in 1957, to Anna Kashfi.
He had Miko Brando and Rebecca Brando with Movita Castaneda, whom he married in 1960. Movita never ended her previous marriage, leading to the annulment of her union with Marlon. In 1962, the popular actor tied the knot with Tarita Teriipaia who is of French Polynesian heritage. She acted alongside Marlon in a popular box office flick. Tarita played the role of Princess Maimiti, which got her a nomination for the Golden Globes Best Supporting Actress.
Marlon’s marriage to Tarita produced two children: Simon Brando and Tarita Cheyenne Brando. The couple later divorced in 1972. Tarita had a daughter from a previous relationship whom Marlon adopted. In addition to Maimiti Brando’s adoption, the actor also adopted his ex-third wife’s niece Raiatua Brando.
Marlon Brando died of pulmonary fibrosis at the age of 80 in 2004. The world will remember the famous actor for his contributions to the American movie industry.
Siblings
Raiatua Brando has ten siblings. Her father, Marlon Brando, had five children from his three ex-wives and three with Maria Cristina Ruiz, his housekeeper. Besides Maimiti and Raiatua, he adopted Petra Brando-Corval at 14. Petra is Caroline Barrett’s daughter with James Clavell, a novelist. Caroline was Marlon’s assistant.
Among Raiatua’s siblings, Christian and Cheyenne lived troubled lives before their demise. They suffered neglect and were addicted to drugs and alcohol. Christian Brando was Marlon’s oldest son. Like his father, he was an actor. Most of his roles in movies are listed under the name Gary Brown.
Unfortunately, people will remember Christian for killing his half-sister, Cheyenne’s boyfriend. Cheyenne complained to her half-brother that Dag Drollet, her boyfriend, physically abused her. Christian, who was heavily drunk that night, shot Drollet dead. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter and confessed that he merely threatened the deceased with a gun.
Unfortunately, the weapon went off, accidentally killing Drollet. Christian was sent to prison in 1991 and later released in 1996. He died of pneumonia on January 26, 2008. Following Drollet’s death, Cheyenne suffered depression. Sadly, she hung herself in her home at the age of 25 in 1995. She had previously attempted suicide twice. Cheyenne left behind a child with her late boyfriend.
Inheritance
Raiatua is among the ten children mentioned in Marlon Brando’s will. The famous actor left his $21.6 million estate, including his personal property. However, Petra Brando-Coval, another adopted daughter, was cut from his will. She was listed as one of his living children but not a beneficiary of his will.
After the heirs accepted the great actor’s will, a judge approved the sharing of Marlon’s estate among the beneficiaries. The late actor’s creditors were given four months to file claims for any unpaid debt before splitting the estate.