Davis left the bulk of his estate, estimated at $4,000,000 (U.S.), to his widow Altovise Davis, but he owed the IRS $5,200,000, which after interest and penalties had increased to over $7,000,000. Altovise became liable for his debt because they had filed jointly and she had co-signed their tax returns.

Personal Life and Biographies Davis was ultimately married three times, first briefly to singer Loray White, then to Britt in 1960, with the two having a biological daughter and two adopted sons.

Sammy Davis, Jr.'s death from oral/throat cancer in 1990 left the entertainment world bereft of a pioneer whose breadth of talent and determination to succeed in the face of racial adversity inspired many artists who followed.”

Allyson Rochkus Roethle Sinatra then gave his widow the money to pay of the debt and paid for the funeral. It was not the first time he did such a thing, but Davis was bad with money.