GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE ...

Several pieces of fine jewelry from the estate of the late healing evangelist Kathryn Kuhlman turned up on a Beverly Hills’ auctioning block in early May. The jewelry was only a small part of Kuhlman’s entire estate, which had been bequeathed to D.B. (Tink) Wilkerson and his wife, Sue.

In 1997, Wilkerson was contacted by B.C. Talbott, who is writing a biography on Kuhlman. After several meetings between the two, Wilkerson gave Kuhlman’s belongings to the Dallas woman and her husband. Wilkerson stated, “I felt like they would do the right thing and that we would do what God wanted us to do — not use (the estate) to make money.”

The Wilkersons only became active in Kuhlman’s ministry during the last few months before the faith healer’s death in February 1976. In December 1975, while in failing health, Kuhlman drafted a new will, which left the majority of her estate to the Wilkersons. Following her death, this new will raised the suspicion of longtime employees of the Kathryn Kuhlman Foundation. Kuhlman’s early biographer, Jamie Buckingham, noted in his book Daughter of Destiny, “She evidently did a lot of things she would not have done had her body been functioning correctly.”

Charisma magazine reported that the auctioned items were said to be distinguished “not only because Kuhlman was well-known, but also because the pieces are high-quality and hard-to-find.” The magazine noted that the “most valuable” object was “a turn-of-the-century frog broach containing green garnets that are brilliant in color and consistent in size.”

Other personal items from Kuhlman’s estate, but excluded from the auction, also were recently disclosed. These included a Louis Vuitton purse which contained false eyelashes, driver’s license, keys, credit cards and a fake ID. Her marriage license, divorce papers and ordination certificate were also among the unveiled items. Talbott reportedly has received calls from both Benny Hinn and Roberts Liardon who have expressed an interest in buying the remaining estate items.

The magazine article also stated that Wilkerson said the proceeds from the auction are to go for the support of selected and worthwhile ministries.

—MKG

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