LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner (R) and Pamela Warner attend The 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards at the STAPLES Center on February 8, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
Malcolm-Jamal Warner‘s mother, Pamela Warner, claims that his widow declined a $4 million settlement from the late actor’s estate. The claim comes after the actor’s widow filed a $1.2 million lawsuit against her following his death.
The Shade Room reported that Warner drowned in July 2025 while swimming on vacation in Costa Rica. Earlier this year, his widow filed a lawsuit against her mother-in-law for $1.2 million, claiming she was struggling.
However, Pamela says she offered Tenisha Warner, her son’s widow, $4 million from her son’s estate, according to TMZ. Not only that, she claims that she also offered to give the majority of the estate to Warner’s daughter, Mackenzie, after accepting a one-time payment. In addition, Pamela said a $2 million life insurance policy was part of the deal.
Not only that, but the deal reportedly included a trust that her son had in Georgia. He reportedly used the trust to buy a home for his family. Additionally, Pamela said the deal included a $2.4 million retirement plan. She even said she settled the matter with MacKenzie’s court-appointed guardian. However, Tenisha claims she has a prenup that isn’t being honored.
As TSR reported, Tenisha claimed that she had “no choice” but to sue Warner.The widow claimed that her husband was in the process of updating his estate plan, which was originally written in 1996, when the actor was in his 20s. However, Tenisha said that he died before he could finish the estate plans. Furthermore, she said that she was struggling to support the couple’s daughter.
“I have been struggling to care for our daughter as a single mom and now as her sole provider, she claimed, per PEOPLE. “Legally, I had no choice but to take action to protect our rights before any potential statute of limitations expired.”
The grieving mother shared a message on social media on the one-year anniversary of his untimely death with his fans. The post includes several photographs of the late ‘Cosby Show’ actor, and it was sharedon Instagram with the caption:
“Missing you, Malcolm . A note from Pamela Warner .”
The post also says. in part:
“Today has come so very quickly. It is amazing how a year of pain, hurt, loss, emotional de-stabilization, and most importantly growth, has come and sits here before me,” she began. “…During my year-long journey, I have discovered how cruel, evil and greedy a human can be. I have also discovered the depth of love, care. concern and support that humans are capable of. All of which I have been the recipient of. The good, the bad and the ugly. These are the lessons that apparently I will need as I continue my journey…”
Not only that, but Pamela also noted that her Warner had a “heart of gold” with a “good read of human nature.” In addition, she wrote that her son was her business partner for “more than 40 years.”
