Trending Now - Claudine Longet, Noted Singer and Controversial Figure, Passes Away at 84

WHO:

Variety - Claudine Longet was married to American singer and television entertainer Andy Williams in December 1961.

The Hollywood Reporter - Longet and Williams divorced in 1975.

Variety - Claudine Longet's daughter, Noelle, reportedly died in 2023.

Variety - Claudine Longet was born Claudine Georgette Longet in Paris on January 29, 1942.

The Hollywood Reporter - Longet's ex-husband, Andy Williams, testified on her behalf during her trial, stating, “I thought it was unfair, I thought she was innocent, I thought it was an accident.”

Los Angeles Times - Claudine Longet's nephew, Bryan Longet, posted a social media tribute stating, “You have been a true inspiration in my life and you will always be. ... Another star in the sky. Thank you for everything, my aunt.”

Variety - Claudine Longet was born in Paris, and her father was a businessman specializing in X-ray technology while her mother was a doctor.

Deadline - Claudine Longet, French-American singer and actress, and ex-wife of Andy Williams.

Variety - Claudine Longet, who shot and killed her boyfriend, Olympic skier Spider Sabich.

WHAT:

Variety - Longet's first album, titled “Claudine,” was released in 1967 and sold more than a million copies.

The Hollywood Reporter - Longet was convicted of criminally negligent homicide, a misdemeanor charge, in January 1977, and was given two years’ probation, fined $250, and sentenced to 30 days in jail.

The Hollywood Reporter - Longet's nephew, Bryan Longet, confirmed her death but did not reveal the cause.

AP - Longet's death was announced by her nephew, who stated, “You have been a true inspiration in my life and you will always be. ... Another star in the sky. Thank you for everything, my aunt.”

Variety - Longet was charged with felony reckless manslaughter in April 1976, facing up to 10 years in prison.

The Hollywood Reporter - Longet was acquitted of the felony charge and convicted of a misdemeanor charge of criminally negligent homicide in January 1977.

The Hollywood Reporter - Longet's daughter, Noelle, who was in the house at the time of the shooting, testified that she heard Sabich yell out, “Claudine! Claudine!”

Los Angeles Times - During the trial, Longet testified that she and Sabich were the “best of friends” and described their relationship as having times of disagreement but emphasized their love for each other.

Variety - Longet shot Spider Sabich on March 21, 1976, in his bathroom with a .22-caliber German-made gun that had been purchased by his father.

The Hollywood Reporter - Longet was with Sabich in the ambulance when he died from a single gunshot wound to the abdomen.

The Hollywood Reporter - After her sentencing, Longet stated, “Because of the many cards and letters I’ve received, the prayers, I feel very good about everybody.”

Variety - Longet's first album, titled “Claudine,” was released in 1967 and sold more than a million copies.

Variety - Longet was convicted of criminally negligent homicide, a misdemeanor charge, in January 1977, and was given two years’ probation, fined $250, and sentenced to 30 days in jail.

Variety - Sabich’s family filed a civil suit against Longet for $1.3 million, which was settled out of court, with Longet agreeing to never speak publicly about Sabich or his death.

Deadline - Claudine Longet has died at the age of 84.

Variety - Longet underwent a trial in 1976 after fatally shooting Spider Sabich.

WHERE:

Deadline - The announcement of her death was made by her nephew, Bryan Longet.

WHEN:

Variety - Longet and one of her defense attorneys, Ronald Austin, wed in June 1985.

Deadline - Claudine Longet was 84 years old at the time of her death.

WHY:

The Hollywood Reporter - The Sabich family filed a civil suit against Longet for $1.3 million, which was settled out of court, with Longet agreeing not to speak publicly about Sabich or the murder and to never publish a book about her life and the trial.

The Hollywood Reporter - At the time of the shooting, Longet and Sabich's relationship was reportedly on the rocks, as she wrote in her diary.

Variety - Longet and Williams were close friends of Robert F. Kennedy and watched his televised primary victory speech in Los Angeles upstairs in the senator’s suite in 1968.

Variety - The incident involving the shooting of Spider Sabich led to a trial for Claudine Longet.

HOW:

Variety - The prosecution faced hurdles due to mishandled evidence and illegal search practices during Longet's trial.

Los Angeles Times - Longet was charged with felony reckless manslaughter weeks after the shooting incident.

Variety - Longet claimed the gun accidentally discharged while Sabich was showing her how it worked.

Los Angeles Times - Longet claimed she found the handgun and asked Sabich how to use it, stating she thought the safety was on, and a ballistics expert testified that the safety did not work.

Variety - The prosecution faced hurdles due to mishandled evidence and illegal search practices during Longet's trial.

Variety - Claudine Longet shot Spider Sabich, which resulted in his death.

(UPDATED May 15, 2026 19:23 UTC)

Claudine Longet, who was married to singer and entertainer Andy Williams from December 1961 until their divorce in 1975, released her first album titled “Claudine” in 1967, which sold over a million copies. In January 1977, she was convicted of criminally negligent homicide and received two years’ probation, a $250 fine, and a 30-day jail sentence, following a civil suit filed by the Sabich family that was settled out of court. The prosecution encountered challenges during her trial due to mishandled evidence and illegal search practices.

(UPDATED May 15, 2026 17:25 UTC)

Tragedy has struck the Longet family as Noelle, the daughter of Claudine Longet, reportedly passed away in 2023, a fact confirmed by her nephew, Bryan Longet, who did not disclose the cause of her death. In a heartfelt tribute, Bryan expressed his admiration, stating, “You have been a true inspiration in my life and you will always be... Another star in the sky. Thank you for everything, my aunt.” Claudine Longet, known for her tumultuous past, was charged with felony reckless manslaughter weeks after a shooting incident.

(UPDATED May 15, 2026 13:27 UTC)

Claudine Longet, born Claudine Georgette Longet in Paris, was charged with felony reckless manslaughter in April 1976 after a tragic incident involving her then-boyfriend, which she claimed was an accident. During her trial, her ex-husband, Andy Williams, testified on her behalf, stating he believed she was innocent, and ultimately, Longet was acquitted of the felony charge but convicted of a misdemeanor for criminally negligent homicide in January 1977. Following the trial, the Sabich family filed a civil suit against her for $1.3 million, which was settled out of court under the condition that Longet would not publicly discuss the case or publish a book about her life and the trial.

(UPDATED May 15, 2026 09:50 UTC)

Claudine Longet's nephew, Bryan, shared a heartfelt tribute on social media, expressing how much she inspired him and calling her “another star in the sky.” During the trial, Longet's daughter, Noelle, testified that she heard Sabich call out for her mother, while Longet herself described her relationship with Sabich as one filled with love despite occasional disagreements. Longet also claimed she found the handgun and asked Sabich how to use it, believing the safety was on, but a ballistics expert later testified that the safety did not function properly.

(UPDATED May 15, 2026 06:13 UTC)

Claudine Longet, born in Paris to a businessman and a doctor, shot Spider Sabich on March 21, 1976, with a .22-caliber gun purchased by his father. Longet was with Sabich in the ambulance when he succumbed to a single gunshot wound to the abdomen, and after her sentencing, she expressed gratitude for the support she received, stating, “Because of the many cards and letters I’ve received, the prayers, I feel very good about everybody.” The prosecution encountered challenges during the trial due to mishandled evidence and illegal search practices, while Longet's diary revealed that her relationship with Sabich was reportedly troubled at the time of the incident.

(UPDATED May 15, 2026 04:20 UTC)

Claudine Longet, who released her debut album “Claudine” in 1967, achieved significant commercial success with over a million copies sold. In January 1977, she was convicted of criminally negligent homicide and received two years’ probation, a fine of $250, and a 30-day jail sentence, following a civil suit from the family of her late partner, which was settled out of court. Longet later married her defense attorney, Ronald Austin, in June 1985, and she and her late partner were known to have been close friends of Robert F. Kennedy, watching his primary victory speech together in 1968.

(UPDATED May 14, 2026 19:35 UTC)

Claudine Longet, the French-American singer and actress known for her marriage to Andy Williams, has passed away at the age of 84. She gained notoriety in 1976 after fatally shooting her boyfriend, Olympic skier Spider Sabich, which led to a highly publicized trial. The announcement of her death was made by her nephew, Bryan Longet.