Family friction over Hunter S. Thompson’s legacy is escalating, pitting his son against his widow. On February 20, to mark the first anniversary of his death, Thompson’s widow, Anita, will offer a rare photo of the gonzo journalist for free on her Website, gonzostore.com, where she also sells “official” gear: mugs, babywear, even thongs emblazoned with a Thompson logo. “Those were Hunter’s favorite,” Anita says of the undies. Thompson’s son, Juan, doesn’t approve. “That’s not what I think of when I think of doing justice to Hunter Thompson’s legacy,” he says. He’d like a more professional company to handle any licensing. Anita and Thompson began selling merchandise two years prior to his suicide, so, she says, it’s no dishonor. Thompson’s estate lawyers say they have to settle issues with Thompson’s creditors before the licensing can be sorted out. Hal Haddon, a co-trustee of Thompson’s estate, explains, “Hunter wasn’t the kind of guy to keep a lot of cash lying around.”

Related:

• Archive: “Intelligencer”
• Articles by Geoffrey Gray
• Table of Contents: Feb 27, 2006 issue of New York | Subscribe!