Thirteen years after a series of mental health episodes prompted a media firestorm and legally-questionable medical interventions, Britney Spears’ conservatorship is over after a court decision Friday.
This brings closure to a long period of both financial and medical oversight, which many believe violated Spears’ autonomy and relied on a startlingly outdated, but all too common, view of mental health treatment for women.
The pop icon took to Twitter and Instagram to share her reaction, uploading a video of fans in a flurry of pink dust and glitter outside the court. Spears wrote, “Good God I love my fans so much it’s crazy !!! I think I’m gonna cry the rest of the day !!!! Best day ever… praise the Lord… can I get an Amen????”
Los Angeles Judge Brenda Penny decided to end both the personal and financial conservatorships over Spears and her estate, with all of the star’s assets transferred to her trust, CNN reported. The court won’t require a medical evaluation for the conservatorship to be dissolved.
Spears’ lawyer, Matthew Rosengart spoke to the crowd of press and fans gathered outside the courthouse after the decision was announced.
“What’s next for Britney, and this is the first time this could be said for about a decade, is up to one person, Britney,” Rosengart said.
Fans applauded the decision online, including Spears’ fiancé Sam Asghari, who posted on Instagram to celebrate the termination. “History was made today. Britney is Free!” Asghari wrote in his post’s caption.
In September, Penny officially removed Spears’ father, Jamie Spears, from the conservatorship and appointed John Zabel to temporarily oversee her estate. Then, on Nov. 1, Spears’ father filed a request to terminate the conservatorship ahead of Friday’s court proceedings. His lawyer, Alex Weingarten, stated in court documents that the elder Spears had no more interest in the conservatorship and that he “unconditionally loves and supports his daughter. Full stop,” Rolling Stone reported.
In a now deleted Instagram post from last week, Spears also accused her mother Lynne Spears and former business partner Lou Taylor of being involved in the forced conservatorship. As of Friday, however, neither of her parents, nor any business partners, lawyers, or managers, have a say in Spears’ medical or financial decisions.
