Chandi Heffner is best known for her unusual connection to billionaire heiress Doris Duke, a bond that took her from a quiet life in Baltimore and Hawaii into the heart of one of America’s wealthiest families. Born in 1953, she lived modestly before meeting Duke in the 1980s, and their friendship grew so close that Duke adopted her as an adult, sparking public curiosity and legal controversy. For a time, Chandi was seen as the daughter Doris Duke had always longed for, but their relationship later broke down, leading to a high-profile inheritance battle that kept her name in headlines for years.
Today, Chandi lives a quieter life in Hawaii, where she dedicates her time to philanthropy and animal welfare, showing that her story is not only about money and scandal but also about resilience, identity, and compassion.
Profile Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Charlene Gail Heffner |
| Known As | Chandi Heffner |
| Famous For | Being the adopted daughter of Doris Duke |
| Profession | Philanthropist |
| Date of Birth | August 26, 1953 |
| Place of Birth | Baltimore, USA |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Age | 70 |
| Current Residency | Hawaii |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Ex-spouse | Alleged to be Paul Reubens (mock wedding, not legal) |
| Children | None |
| Adopted Parent | Doris Duke |
| Biological Parents | William Heffner and Bunny Heffner |
| Siblings | Arden Cromwell and Claudia Heffner |
| Gender | Female |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Net Worth | $20 million |
Early Life and Background
Chandi Heffner, born Charlene Gail Heffner on August 26, 1953, in Baltimore, Maryland, grew up in a modest and private family environment with her parents, William and Bunny Heffner, and her sisters, Claudia and Arden. Unlike the privileged world she would later step into, her childhood was ordinary and grounded, giving her a strong sense of independence and simplicity. In the 1970s, while living in Hawaii, she embraced spirituality and became involved with the Hare Krishna movement, where she was given the name “Chandi,” meaning feminine energy and power in Sanskrit.
This spiritual identity reflected her interest in philosophy, healing, and animals, and it became a lasting part of her life long before she met Doris Duke and became connected to one of the most extraordinary inheritance disputes in American history.
Age and Looks
Chandi Heffner was born on August 26, 1953, which makes her 70 years old today. She is an American woman of Caucasian background with brown hair and brown eyes, and in her younger years, she was known for her graceful style and love for belly dancing. Even though she once lived in the spotlight because of her ties to Doris Duke, she has always preferred a simple and natural lifestyle, focusing more on her animals and spiritual interests than on glamour or appearances.
His Father, William J. Heffner
Chandi Heffner’s father was William J. Heffner, a Baltimore native who lived a quiet and private life far from the spotlight of wealth and fame. He was not connected to high society or business empires, but instead focused on providing for his family and raising his children in a modest and traditional household. His grounded lifestyle gave Chandi a very different start in life compared to the glamorous world she later entered through Doris Duke.
His Mother Bunny Heffner
Chandi’s mother, Bunny Heffner, also lived in Baltimore and dedicated herself to raising her family in a private and simple environment. She was not part of the social elite, and little about her life was public, as she preferred to remain out of the media’s eye. Bunny’s role in nurturing her children was central to their upbringing, and she gave Chandi the family values and independence that became part of her personality long before fame and fortune entered her life.
Sister Claudia Heffner
Chandi Heffner’s sister, Claudia Heffner, is perhaps the most publicly known among her siblings, as she became a successful fashion model and later married into great wealth when she wed financier Nelson Peltz, a billionaire businessman. Claudia’s marriage connected her to one of America’s wealthiest families, and she is also the mother of Nicola Peltz, an actress who later married Brooklyn Beckham, the son of David and Victoria Beckham. While Claudia’s life took her into the world of high society through marriage, Chandi’s path into fame came in a very different way through her connection with Doris Duke.
Sister Arden Cromwell
Chandi also has a sister named Arden Cromwell, who, unlike Claudia, has largely lived a private life outside of the public spotlight. Very little is known about Arden compared to her sisters, as she chose a quieter path and did not seek fame or major public attention. Still, she remains part of Chandi’s family background, showing that the Heffner sisters all went on to live very different lives shaped by their own choices and circumstances.
Meeting Doris Duke
Chandi Heffner met Doris Duke in the 1980s through their shared belly dancing instructor, Bobby Farrah, after Chandi injured her knee and was invited to Duke’s Honolulu estate, Shangri La, to rest and recover. What began as a simple act of kindness quickly grew into a close relationship, as Doris, then in her seventies and searching for companionship, found comfort in Chandi’s spiritual nature and warm personality, eventually seeing her as the daughter she had always wanted.
The Controversial Adoption
In 1988, Doris Duke made the surprising decision to legally adopt Chandi Heffner, even though Chandi was already in her mid-thirties, a move that stunned Duke’s advisors and close friends because adult adoptions of this kind were extremely rare and carried major financial implications. For Doris, the adoption was deeply personal, as she longed for the daughter she had lost years earlier and believed she had finally found that bond in Chandi, while for Chandi, it meant stepping into a world of immense wealth and privilege as the legal heir to one of America’s largest fortunes.
The adoption immediately stirred suspicion and criticism, with many accusing Chandi of taking advantage of an aging and vulnerable heiress, but others saw it as a genuine act of love and companionship between two women who had filled important voids in each other’s lives.
Life with Doris Duke
After being adopted in 1988, Chandi Heffner became a constant presence in Doris Duke’s life, spending much of her time at Shangri La, the heiress’s grand estate in Honolulu, where they shared interests in spirituality, healing practices, and caring for animals. Chandi acted as a companion and confidant, offering Duke comfort and emotional support while also becoming involved in her household and charitable interests. For a few years, their relationship appeared to give Doris the sense of family she had always longed for, though those around her often questioned Chandi’s influence and suspected she held too much control over the aging heiress.
The Fallout and Disinheritance
The relationship between Doris Duke and Chandi Heffner, once so strong, did not last. In 1991, only three years after the adoption, Doris Duke revoked it and effectively cut Chandi out of her life. The exact reasons for this decision remain unclear and have been the subject of speculation ever since. Some point to Chandi’s personal relationships, such as her involvement with Duke’s bodyguard James Burns, as a source of tension.
Others suggest that Duke’s advisors, who never trusted Chandi, influenced her to end the relationship. What is certain is that the emotional and legal bond between them collapsed, leaving Chandi without the role or security she once held. The revocation of the adoption meant she was no longer an heir to Duke’s estate, and the once close relationship ended in estrangement, setting the stage for a bitter legal battle.
The Legal Battle Over the Estate
After Doris Duke’s death in 1993, Chandi Heffner became embroiled in a highly publicized legal fight over the heiress’s vast fortune because, although she had once been legally adopted as Duke’s daughter, the adoption had been revoked in 1991. Chandi argued that she was still entitled to inherit as the Duke’s rightful daughter, while the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation maintained that the revocation had ended all her claims.
The case drew national attention, with lawyers and the media debating whether Duke had been fully aware and stable when she made those decisions. In 1995, the dispute was finally resolved outside of court, and Chandi received a settlement reportedly worth around $65 million, a large sum but only a fraction of the inheritance she might have received if the adoption had remained valid.
Life After the Settlement
After the legal battle, Chandi Heffner chose to step back from the public spotlight and return to a quieter life in Hawaii. She used her resources to focus on philanthropy and the things that had always mattered most to her. In 1998, she founded CDHIF USA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing medical assistance for both people and animals. Her ranch in Waimea became a center for animal welfare, where she cared for horses and other rescued animals.
By dedicating her wealth to compassionate causes, she shaped a new identity for herself, one far removed from the controversies of inheritance and high society. Although no longer a prominent figure in the media, she remained active in her community and continued to support humanitarian and animal welfare efforts, even extending her work to India.
Personal Life
Chandi’s personal relationships also drew attention over the years. She was connected to actor Paul Reubens, known for his character Pee-wee Herman, and the two participated in a mock wedding in 1989 presided over by Imelda Marcos, though they were never legally married. Later, she had a long-term relationship with James Burns, Doris Duke’s former bodyguard, but that too ended in a palimony suit. Chandi never had children of her own, and her focus remained on her ranch, her animals, and her charitable work. Away from the drama of her past, she embraced a lifestyle centered on spirituality, nature, and service to others, reflecting her lifelong interests.
Public Perception and Legacy
Chandi Heffner’s life has always drawn mixed opinions, as some people see her as a caring daughter figure who brought comfort to Doris Duke, while others believe she took advantage of the heiress’s wealth and loneliness. The unusual adult adoption, its sudden revocation, and the inheritance battle shaped her public image and made her a subject of controversy for years. Despite this, Chandi later turned away from the spotlight and focused on a quieter life in Hawaii, where she devoted herself to animal rescue and charitable work, leaving behind a legacy that combines both public debate and genuine compassion.
Chandi Heffner Net Worth
Chandi Heffner’s net worth is estimated to be around $20 million as of 2023. Her wealth primarily comes from the settlement she received from Doris Duke’s estate, though she reportedly received far less than she would have inherited had the adoption not been revoked. She has used her resources to fund her nonprofit work and maintain her ranch in Hawaii, living a life that reflects her values rather than the extravagance she might once have enjoyed.
Conclusion
Chandi Heffner’s story is a reminder that wealth does not solve the most basic human needs for love, family, and belonging. From her ordinary beginnings in Baltimore to her adoption by one of the richest women in the world, to the heartbreak of disinheritance and the long legal fight that followed, her life has been both extraordinary and tragic. Yet she has shown resilience by building a quieter existence devoted to philanthropy and compassion. Today, she may no longer be in the headlines, but her story continues to fascinate as a rare example of how money, power, and human relationships collide in ways that can change lives forever.
FAQs About Chandi Heffner
1. Who is Chandi Heffner?
Chandi Heffner is best known as the adopted daughter of American tobacco heiress Doris Duke, later involved in a major inheritance dispute after the adoption was revoked.
2. When was Chandi Heffner born?
She was born on August 26, 1953, in Baltimore, Maryland, and is 70 years old as of 2023.
3. Why did Doris Duke adopt Chandi Heffner?
Doris Duke adopted Chandi in 1988, believing she had found the daughter she always wanted, and some reports suggest she even saw Chandi as a reincarnation of her lost child.
4. Did Chandi Heffner inherit Doris Duke’s fortune?
Chandi did not inherit the full estate because the adoption was revoked in 1991, but after a legal battle she received a settlement worth around $65 million.
5. Where is Chandi Heffner now?
Today, Chandi lives in Hawaii, where she manages a horse ranch, rescues animals, and runs nonprofit projects focused on animal welfare and humanitarian a