The will of the owner of the world’s largest children’s publishing house: he left $ 1.2 billion to his lover and nothing to his family

Richard robinson, owner of the American publishing house School, died suddenly while walking on Martha’s Vineyard on June 5 at the age of 84. Corn what intrigued his parents and acquaintances the most was the succession plan he left behind.

The owner and CEO of the publisher valued at $ 1.2 billion, which publishes educational books in the United States in addition to bestsellers What Harry potter Yes The hunger Games, transferred all his fortune to Iole Lucchese, his former partner and director of corporate strategy. In addition to the majority share of the shares of School, wife inherited from all personal property of Robinson, according to a will reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.

Nor the sons of Robinson, Ben Yes Reece, nor his siblings cited in the document. Robinson’s ex-wife, Helene V. Benham, with whom the businessman had become close during the pandemic and who had also worked for several years at the publisher, was also not cited.

Instead, in the 2018 will be Robinson described Lucchese, executive with 30 years of experience in the company, as “My dearest partner and friend”.

According to interviews the newspaper did with relatives and former employees, The relationship between Robinson, 84, and Luccesse, 54, was an open secret at the company. However, sources said they believe the couple broke up years ago.

Robinson’s will provoked the discontent of those close to him And that could spark a long legal battle.

Reece robinson, Robinson’s youngest son, said in a dialogue with the the Wall Street newspaper that the discovery of the father’s last wishes was “Unexpected and impactful”.

“What I want most is a friendly result”, Ben Robinson, the eldest son, told the same newspaper.

The man told the newspaper he had never met Lucchese until they discussed his father’s legacy last week. It was “like pouring salt into an open wound”, He said. “We hope to have a collaborative approach to inheritance.”he added, without elaborating.

What are Robinson’s children doing

None of Robinson’s sons were involved in the father’s affairs.

Reece robinson, 25, works as a documentary filmmaker. He said he had tried to get involved with Scholastic but had not worked there full time. “I saw myself as an advisor”, He said. “I didn’t want to sacrifice my 20 years to work in a company.”

His brother Ben, 34, operates a sawmill and workshop that produces lumber, flooring and furniture from trees on Martha’s Vineyard. He described himself as a writer and “the poet laureate who has not yet told his story”.

The eldest son assured the WSJ this robinson “He appreciated my point of view on all issues, especially regarding the history of the company”. He said he told his father in recent years that he wanted to get more involved in the business, including “More explicitly my desire to be a member of the Council”.

On the other hand, Robinson’s ex-wife Helen Benham worked for several years at the publishing house, until the couple’s divorce in 2003.

Robinson and Benham met at the company after she started working in the art department in 1974, but only dated in the 1980s, according to the The Wall Street Journal. They married in 1986.

“I lived and breathed Scholastic while raising our two children”, he said in an email to WSJ. “Tail [Robinson] He told me more than once: ‘You care more about Scholastic than I do’ “.

Benham said after the pandemic her ex-husband was reconnecting with her, her and their children. The woman was even with the businessman when he died while walking on Martha’s Vineyard.

Robinson “He spent all his free time with us. Not just on weekends, but also regular nights with us in Manhattan. I was going back to the family», Dijo Benham.

Although he refused to talk about Lucchese, he told the the Wall Street newspaper: “I was surprised and we did not expect this.”

Who is the new owner of Scholastic

The new owner of Scholastic Iole Lucchese She has been with the publisher since 1991, when she became an associate editor at book clubs and rose through the ranks until she was appointed Strategy Director in 2014.

Two years later, she became the sole president of Scholastic Canada and in 2018 added the title of President of Scholastic Entertainment.

Former staff told the WSJ that she and Robinson had “sweet” times with various “disputes”, where they fought in meetings over the direction of the company. According to former employees, the clashes were around Lucchese’s will to expand the business.

Despite the public clashes, people who knew them say Robinson trusted her and was still part of his inner circle, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The Robinson Brothers, who have an editing fee, were shown willing to accompany Lucchese, although they warned against the future strategy of the company.

Mary Sue Robinson Morrill, one of Robinson’s sisters, said in a written statement that she and her brothers agreed to “That our first objective is the continuation of the mission and the legacy of Scholastic, the vision and brilliant work of our father and brother Dick, and we are sure that the new management of the company is fully committed to this goal ”.

William Robinson, the younger brother of Richard Robinson, said that his brother and his father wanted to keep Scholastic independent.

“Our family value was that we would prefer not to have the financial advantage that we might get from a sale if it means that the business will not be what it was in the future.”, said WSJ.

“Everyone knows Scholastic, he has a good reputation and does good things for teachers,” he said. “It’s more than just a business for us.”

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