Wealthy Australian socialite leaves daughters $4.50

A former Adelaide Lady Mayoress bequeathed her three daughters ``thirty pieces of silver'' - or $1.50 - each from her $3.5 million estate because she believed they conspired over the death of her mother, court documents reveal.

Valmai Roche left the same amount to her ex-husband John Roche, a former property developer who was Adelaide Lord Mayor from 1975-77, claiming he had killed her mother.

Ms Roche's daughters say their mother was "delusional" and they have mounted joint Supreme Court action.



Ms Roche, who died last year aged 81, left "30 pieces of silver of the lowest denomination of currency" or 30 five cent pieces claiming it was "blood money due to Judas" to each of her daughters.

The daughters Deborah Hamilton, Fiona Roche and Shauna Roche were also left equal shares in their mother's jewellery, on condition they read and correctly answered questions relating to her personal diaries from January 1974 until the date of her will, which was signed in October 1981.

Ms Roche also "specifically excludes" her children and former husband "from any further benefits" because her daughters "have been adequately provided for . . . and because of their estrangement" during her later years.