Nation : Dali Fortune Bequeathed to Spain

MADRID —  Salvador Dali, the eccentric Spanish surrealist painter who died Jan. 23 at the age of 84, bequeathed his fortune to Spain, the Culture Ministry announced today.

The ministry said it had been informed by Dali’s lawyer, Jose Maria Foncillas, about the painter’s last will, which made the Spanish state the sole heir. A ministry statement added that Dali requested that his works of art “be preserved, spared and cared for.” The ministry said the disposition of about 200 Dali paintings and works by other contemporary artists, estimated to be worth $139 million, will be decided later.

In addition, the state inherits Dali’s house in his hometown of Figueras, his Pubol castle near Gerona, a second house in Cadaques and a plot of land on the Costa Brava.