Mary Max, 52-year-old wife of famed pop artist Peter Max, kills herself in their Upper West Side apartment
- Mary Max, 52, was found dead of apparent suicide in her Manhattan apartment
- Her cause of death was nitrogen asphyxiation, according to police
- Max is the wife of Peter Max, the 81-year-old pop artist who is ill with dementia
- Mary Max was in the midst of a bitter legal dispute with members of her family
- Family members were in court fighting over Peter Max's pricey art collection
Mary Max, the wife of noted artist Peter Max, killed herself in her apartment on Manhattan’s Upper West Side over the weekend, according to police.
Ms Max, 52, was found dead in the couple's 15th floor apartment on Riverside Drive near West 84th Street on Sunday evening.
Her death comes amid a bitter legal battle with her step-son Adam Max, 49, about her 81-year-old husband's artwork.
Her official cause of death was nitrogen asphyxiation, according to the New York Post.
Mary Max (right), the wife of famed pop artist Peter Max (left), has died of suicide
Mary (second right) and Peter (third right) with Britain's Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex (second left) and music mogul Quincy Jones (left) at the Duke of Edinburgh Award Luncheon in New York in 2009. Also pictured, sex therapist Dr Ruth Westheimer (front) and event host David Hryck
Her husband of more than 20 years Peter is suffers from an advanced form of dementia.
In 2015, Mary Max was sued by her stepson, Adam Max and since an ongoing feud was raged between the pair.
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Adam accused Mary of attempting to kill her husband so that she could take control of his multi-million dollar art collection.
Mary accused Adam of stealing $4.3million worth of artwork that her husband gave her in a prenuptial agreement.
Mary Max, 52, (right) was found dead in her apartment on Riverside Drive near West 84th Street on Sunday evening among a bitter legal battle with her step-son Adam Max, 49, about her 81-year-old husband's (left) artwork
She was found dead in her New York City apartment on Sunday, according to police
Peter has painted many icons and world leaders, in 2002, he presented a portrait to President Bill Clinton in New York
Peter's mental state has deteriorated significantly in recent years as the legal battles raged on in court.
Berlin-born Peter rose to fame in the 1960s, when he became known for his psychedelic art and pop art.
The son of German Jews, he fled Berlin as a child and grew up in Shanghai and Israel before settling in Brooklyn.
Peter (second right) and Mary (right) with Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and his wife Theresa (left), as Peter unveiled portraits of him in 1997
Berlin-born Peter(left) rose to fame in the 1960s, when he became known for his psychedelic art and pop art. He married Mary Baldwin (right) in 1997. Pictured together at the Humane Society of the United States to the Rescue Gala in 2013
In the 1960s, he set up an art studio in New York and became known for his counter-culture pieces.
He later was commissioned by the US Postal Service to create a stamp, and amassed his fortune through becoming the official artist for dozens of major events including the World Series, the 1994 World Cup, the Super Bowl, the Grammy Awards, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
He has also been the official artist for the US Winter Olympics team and his work is very popular on cruise ship auctions. In 2015, he painted a cruise ship, part of Norwegian's fleet.
In 2015, Mary asked a court to appoint a guardian to oversee her husband's business after Adam and three business associates took over the studio increasing production and profit through a series of art auctions on cruise ships
Peter Max pictured in his New York studio in 2012. He unveiled a series of portraits of Paul McCartney for his birthday
Peter's work is very popular on cruise ship auctions. In 2015, he painted a cruise ship, part of Norwegian's fleet, the Norweigan Breakaway (pictured leaving Southampton, England)
In 1963, he married Elizabeth Nance, and the pair had two children, Adam Cosmo and Libra Astro. The pair divorce in 1976.
He went on to have a string of high profile relationships, before meeting Mary Balkin on a Manhattan sidewalk in 1996.
Mary, a blonde with a pixie cut, caught Peter's eye. He approached her and introduced himself saying 'I’ve been painting your profile my entire life.'
A year later they married. It was officiated by Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani.
In 1963, Peter (pictured in 1967) married Elizabeth Nance, and the pair had two children, Adam Cosmo and Libra Astro. The pair divorce in 1976. He went on to have a string of high profile relationships, before meeting Mary Balkin on a Manhattan sidewalk in 1996
Peter has a severe form of dementia, which has been at the center of the feud between his late wife and son.
In 2015, Mary asked a court to appoint a guardian to oversee her husband's business after Adam and three business associates took over the studio increasing production and profit through a series of art auctions on cruise ships.
At the time Peter was too ill to paint, and was just signing his name to other artists work, according to the New York Times.
After Mary's request was granted, Adam removed his father from his home and moved him around New York for more than a month.
In a series of damning accusation, Mary accused Adam of concealing the whereabouts of Peter and effectively 'kidnapping' him.
Peter pictured at home in New York in 1967, before he met Mary
In a transcript of a recorded interview seen in court, Mary discusses with her driver about hiring a goon to intimidate her husband and to damage his paining hand
Peter famously painted world leaders, including Barack Obama (pictured), and even presented art to Bill Clinton
Adam retorted that he was protecting the artist from Mary's verbal and physical abuse, describing her as neglectful, a view that was later supported by the guardian she appointed herself. Members of household staff also accused Mary of neglect, saying she withheld food and even put 'large Brazil nuts' in his smoothies, which act as a choking hazard.
In a transcript of a recorded interview seen in court, Mary discusses with her driver about hiring a goon to intimidate her husband and to damage his paining hand.
However, one court-appointed lawyer claimed that Peter stated his love for his wife several times, and that removing him from his home could be detrimental to his well-being.
A judge ordered Peter to be returned to his wife's care at their Riverside Drive home.
For confidential support call the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255
