What Does Izzy Do With The Check From Denny? Unraveling The Grey's Anatomy Story

Denny, a heart patient and, in a way, Izzie's love interest, died suddenly after a heart transplant. It was, arguably, a moment that rocked Izzie's world to its core. What many might not realize is that one of Denny's very last actions was to make sure Izzie, his fiancé, received a huge sum upon his death. This financial gift, a check for $8.7 million, became, in some respects, absolutely central to Izzie's story moving forward.

This substantial inheritance was, you know, a pivotal moment, especially for someone like Izzie, who didn't come from a wealthy background and had, in fact, put herself through medical school. The check wasn't just money; it was, quite literally, a material benefit that added something significant to her life, rather than taking anything away. The big question, naturally, became: what would Izzie actually do with all that money?

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Table of Contents

• Izzie Stevens: A Brief Overview
• The Shocking Inheritance: Denny's Last Gift
• A Check That Sat: The Initial Struggle
• The Turning Point: Inspiration Strikes
• Building a Legacy: The Denny Duquette Memorial Free Clinic
• Izzie's Financial Future: What Else Happened?
• Frequently Asked Questions About Izzie's Inheritance

Izzie Stevens: A Brief Overview

Izzie Stevens, as many recall, was a surgical resident at Seattle Grace Hospital. She was, in a way, a very dedicated doctor who had worked incredibly hard to get where she was. Her path wasn't easy, and she definitely didn't have a privileged start in life. She became engaged to Denny Duquette, a patient, and their connection was, you know, quite intense, until his unexpected death. She later became an attending surgical oncologist before her time at Seattle Grace came to an end after the merger with Mercy West Medical Center.

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The Shocking Inheritance: Denny's Last Gift

Denny Duquette's death was, you know, a truly heartbreaking event for Izzie. After all the desperate measures she took to try and save him, his passing was, in a way, shocking. But even in death, Denny made sure to care for Izzie. His father, in fact, later requested a meeting with Izzie in an episode titled "What I Am." During this meeting, he handed her an $8.7 million inheritance check from Denny, his son. This act was, in some respects, Denny's final gesture, a way to ensure Izzie was cared for, which is pretty touching.

This huge sum of money was, honestly, quite a lot for anyone, but especially for Izzie. She didn't come from a background of wealth; she had, as a matter of fact, worked incredibly hard to put herself through medical school. The check was, therefore, not just a financial gift but also a very powerful symbol of Denny's love and his desire to add something beneficial to her life. It was, in a way, a completely new chapter for her, financially speaking.

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The arrival of this check caused, you know, a bit of a stir among Izzie and her roommates, like George. The sheer amount of money was, in some respects, quite overwhelming. It was a lot to take in, and the question of what to do with such a large sum became, basically, a central point of discussion and, frankly, some anxiety for everyone living with her. It was, after all, a life-changing amount of money.

A Check That Sat: The Initial Struggle

To the surprise and, honestly, shock of her friends, Izzie initially decided not to cash in the check. This wasn't, you know, a practical choice in the traditional sense. For weeks, the nearly $9 million check sat at home, undeposited, causing, in a way, a lot of stress for her roommates, who were, basically, worried about the financial implications and, you know, the general strangeness of the situation. Denny's dad was, apparently, trying to get his affairs in order and his estate closed down, and Izzie just left that money sitting there.

Her refusal to deposit the check was, in fact, deeply tied to her emotional state. Holding onto the check meant, in a way, holding onto Denny himself. It was, frankly, a physical representation of him and their connection. This period was, arguably, a very difficult time for Izzie, as she was still processing her grief. Her decision was, in some respects, not completely rational yet, as she was still very much in the throes of mourning and trying to cope with the loss.

This emotional turmoil became even more pronounced in Grey's Anatomy season 5, where Izzie started, you know, hallucinating Denny. She initially thought it was due to grief, or perhaps something else entirely, which was, in a way, a very concerning development. Denny returned in that season because he was, quite literally, the person she associated most with death, especially after her own health issues began to emerge. These visions were, in fact, a powerful reflection of her internal struggle and her difficulty letting go, so it was a very intense time.

The Turning Point: Inspiration Strikes

Izzie's arc took, in a way, a significant turn in Grey's Anatomy season 5. While she initially struggled with what to do with the nearly $9 million check, a particular patient helped her, basically, find her path. It wasn't until she met the Mae Whitman character, a young girl with scoliosis who desperately needed surgery but couldn't afford it, that Izzie truly felt, you know, inspired by a patient. This encounter was, in fact, a very powerful catalyst for her.

Seeing this girl's plight, and understanding the real, tangible difference that money could make in someone's life, shifted Izzie's perspective. It was, in a way, a moment of profound clarity for her. This situation, you know, moved her deeply and showed her a purpose for the money that went beyond just her own personal gain. She realized, in some respects, that this inheritance could be used to help others, just as Denny had, perhaps, intended.

This realization was, frankly, a very important step in her healing process and her journey to move forward. It allowed her to, basically, channel her grief and her connection to Denny into something positive and impactful. The money, which had been a source of anxiety and a symbol of her loss, transformed into, you know, a tool for good, which is a pretty amazing thing. This inspiration, in fact, paved the way for a truly meaningful legacy.

Building a Legacy: The Denny Duquette Memorial Free Clinic

Ultimately, Izzie made a truly impactful choice regarding Denny's inheritance. While she didn't deposit the check for a while, causing, you know, a bit of stress for her roommates, she eventually put nearly all of the $8 million into her savings account after receiving the check and having it sit at home for weeks. This decision marked, in a way, a turning point for her. Her big plan was, you know, to use a significant portion of it to create something lasting and beneficial.

She decided to use the money to start the Denny Duquette Memorial Free Clinic. This clinic was, in fact, a way for Denny to live on, his memory honored through a place that would provide care to those who couldn't afford it. The clinic would be developed with the help of $7 million from the inheritance. This was, basically, a huge commitment, showing her dedication to this cause. It was, in some respects, a truly selfless act.

A specific example of the clinic's impact was when Izzie used $350,000 of the money to pay for the surgery of the girl with scoliosis. This was, you know, a very direct way to help someone in need, and it really underscored the clinic's mission. The clinic was, in fact, developed with the help of Miranda Bailey, who later became its director. This partnership was, in a way, a very strong foundation for the clinic's success, ensuring that Denny's legacy would continue to help countless people. Learn more about healthcare initiatives on our site, and find out more about Izzie Stevens' journey through the series.

Izzie's Financial Future: What Else Happened?

While a large portion of Denny's inheritance went to fund the Denny Duquette Memorial Free Clinic, the question naturally arises: did Izzie save any of Denny's money, or did she donate it all? The text indicates that Izzie put nearly all of the $8 million into her savings account after receiving her inheritance check. This suggests that while a significant sum, $7 million, went to the clinic, there was, in a way, still a considerable amount left over for her personal use. It was, in fact, a very substantial sum to have.

Later in the series, when Alex Karev left Jo to be with Izzie, it was revealed that Izzie was living in a big house on a farm. This lifestyle, you know, certainly suggests a level of financial comfort. While she is a doctor and, in some respects, would earn a good income, the sheer scale of her living situation could, arguably, be attributed, at least in part, to the remaining funds from Denny's inheritance. It was, after all, a very large sum of money to begin with.

So, it seems Izzie did, in fact, keep a good portion of the money for herself, using it to secure her own financial future while also creating a lasting tribute to Denny. This balance between personal well-being and philanthropic endeavor is, in a way, a very interesting aspect of her character's development. The inheritance, therefore, didn't just fund a clinic; it also provided Izzie with, basically, a foundation for her life moving forward. It was, in some respects, a complete game-changer for her.

Frequently Asked Questions About Izzie's Inheritance

Did Izzie ever deposit Denny's check?

Yes, Izzie did, in fact, eventually deposit Denny's check. While she didn't deposit it for a while, which stressed her roommates out, she ultimately put nearly all of the $8 million into her savings account after receiving her inheritance check and having it sit at home for weeks. This was, in a way, a very significant step for her.

How much money did Izzie inherit from Denny?

Izzie received, you know, a very substantial inheritance check from Denny for $8.7 million. This amount was, in fact, a truly life-changing sum of money for her, especially considering her background. It was, basically, a huge financial gift that became central to her storyline.

What did Izzie do with Denny's inheritance money?

Izzie used the majority of Denny's inheritance money, specifically $7 million, to start the Denny Duquette Memorial Free Clinic. She also used $350,000 to pay for a scoliosis surgery for a patient. The rest of the money, apparently, went into her savings account, providing her with financial security. It was, in some respects, a very impactful use of the funds.