Peter Falk was the kind of guy everyone felt they knew. With that rumpled trench coat and the "just one more thing" routine, he was basically the world’s favorite uncle. But when news broke about the death Peter Falk wife Shera Danese had to manage, things got messy. Real messy.
He passed away on June 23, 2011. He was 83. While the public mourned the loss of a TV legend, a localized war was erupting behind the gates of his Beverly Hills estate. This wasn't just a simple Hollywood passing; it was the culmination of a years-long legal battle that pitted his second wife against his children from his first marriage. Honestly, it's the kind of drama that even Lieutenant Columbo might have found exhausting to untangle.
The Complicated Reality of Peter Falk’s Final Days
Peter didn't just "get old." He suffered from a brutal combination of pneumonia and advanced Alzheimer's disease. By the end, he reportedly didn't even remember the character that made him a household name. That's the part that really stings for fans.
His wife, Shera Danese, was his primary caregiver. They’d been married for 33 years—a lifetime by Hollywood standards. They met on the set of Mikey and Nicky and married in 1977, just a year after his divorce from Alyce Mayo. Shera actually appeared in six episodes of Columbo, more than any other guest actress.
But their marriage was legendary for its volatility. People called them the "Feuding Falks." They’d break up, make up, and scream at each other, only to be spotted holding hands the next day. When the Alzheimer’s set in, Shera closed ranks. This is where the friction with Peter’s daughters, Catherine and Jackie, turned into a full-scale legal firestorm.
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The Courtroom Drama: Catherine Falk vs. Shera Danese
In 2008, three years before his death, Catherine Falk filed for conservatorship. She told the court she hadn't been allowed to see her father in months. She claimed Shera was isolating him, keeping him like a prisoner in his own mind and home.
It was a classic "he said, she said," but with millions of dollars and a dying icon at the center. Shera’s lawyers fought back hard. They pulled out Peter’s personal diaries to show he had a strained relationship with Catherine for years—partly due to a 1992 lawsuit Catherine filed against him for college tuition.
The Judge's Ruling
Eventually, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge sided with Shera. The court decided that since Peter had signed over power of attorney to his wife years prior—back when he was still sharp—she should remain in charge. Catherine was granted one 30-minute supervised visit per month at a neutral location. Not exactly the heartwarming reunion you'd hope for.
Why the Death Peter Falk Wife Conflict Changed the Law
When the end finally came in 2011, the bitterness didn't evaporate. In fact, it solidified into a legal precedent. Catherine Falk claimed she wasn't even notified of her father’s death until she heard it on the news. She wasn't invited to the funeral. She didn't even know where he was buried for a significant amount of time.
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If you visit the Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park today, you’ll see his headstone. It reads: "I’m not here. I’m home with Shera." To some, it’s a touching tribute to a 33-year marriage. To his daughters, it felt like a final door being slammed in their faces.
But Catherine didn't just go away. She used her grief to lobby for what is now known as Peter Falk’s Law.
Basically, this law ensures that:
- Guardians must notify family members of a loved one's hospitalization.
- Family must be told about a death within 24 hours.
- Guardians cannot "gatekeep" or block visitation without a specific court order.
As of 2026, over fifteen states have adopted versions of this legislation. It’s a strange, bittersweet legacy. The man who spent decades solving fictional murders ended up being the catalyst for protecting the rights of families across America.
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What You Should Know About the Estate
There’s a lot of chatter online about Shera being a "gold digger," but the facts are a bit more nuanced. Peter’s will was remarkably clear. He left the bulk of his multi-million dollar estate, including the Beverly Hills home and all his artwork (he was a prolific charcoal artist), to Shera.
He didn't cut his daughters out—they received six-figure inheritances—but he made a conscious choice to prioritize his wife. Whether that was "undue influence" or just a man taking care of his partner of three decades depends entirely on which side of the family you ask.
Actionable Steps for Families Facing Similar Struggles
If you're dealing with a situation where a stepparent or guardian is blocking access to an ailing parent, don't wait until it's too late.
- Check for Peter Falk’s Law in your state: Laws vary wildly. Some states have "visitation" specific statutes that allow you to petition the court without filing for full conservatorship.
- Document everything: If you're being denied access, keep a log of every call, text, and rejected visit. Catherine Falk’s case succeeded in getting her visitation because she could prove a prior, consistent relationship.
- Mediation over Litigation: Court battles are expensive. Catherine reportedly spent over $100,000 in legal fees before her father even died. Sometimes a neutral third-party mediator can help negotiate "visitation hours" that a spouse might be more comfortable with than a court order.
- Review Power of Attorney: If you are the one making the plans, ensure your documents explicitly state who you want to be notified of your condition. Clarity is the only thing that prevents these kinds of feuds.
The story of the death Peter Falk wife and family dealt with is a reminder that even the most beloved figures have messy lives. It wasn't a clean, Hollywood ending. It was a long, painful goodbye marked by lawyers and cold shoulders. But through that mess, at least some protections were created for the rest of us.
For those looking to pay their respects, Peter Falk is interred at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary in Los Angeles. His grave is located near other legends like Billy Wilder and Natalie Wood. Just look for the marker that mentions he’s "home with Shera."