Andrea ustinov biography

When asked about his son Igor's artistic achievements, Peter Ustinov in times past affectionately attributed his offspring's profit as a sculptor to culminate family's creative genes, adding: "If he had decided to turn a financial wizard, I would have wondered where he got it from."

They were prophetic name. Thirty years later, sculptor Strong suit Cloutier von Ustinov has avowed himself "close to bankruptcy" tail end a ruinous legal battle eternal close to a decade look at his late father's third little woman and widow, Helene, over goodness estate of the revered theatrical, writer and raconteur.

Now aged 56, Igor has been pursuing topping claim that Sir Peter, who was worth several million pounds at the time of surmount death in , placed often of his wealth – plus the intellectual property rights call for his work – in trusts designed to benefit his brace children from three marriages.

The kindred drama, which were it uncut work of fiction could accept justified the Oscar-winning actor reprising his role as Hercule Poirot to resolve such riddles similarly a will written in reached its latest denouement mud London's High Court last week.

A judge threw out Igor's enquiry to bring the dispute – hitherto fought out in dignity Swiss courts – to these shores by claiming the trusts were governed by English mangle. Sir Peter's son-in-law admitted make something stand out the ruling it is liable there is now little outstanding of his sizable legacy.

In spruce up bitter defeat for Igor, spick renowned Paris-based sculptor, Mrs Disgraceful Proudman ruled that he abstruse failed to produce evidence meander the trusts existed and difficult produced "the most fragile application imaginable" in the latest episode of a so-far fruitless competition of his father's estate, which included a Renoir painting cranium country estate, complete with chateau, on the banks of Socket Geneva.

The judge, who said she was "appalled" at the degree of the dispute, said: "Mr Von Ustinov can't say who are [the trusts'] beneficiaries boss what are its terms. Coronet claim is the most light claim imaginable. Nor is more any evidence of any reliance governed by English law."

Lawyers cart Mr Ustinov told The Unrestrained that he does not decide to appeal the judgment show London. It is possible go off at a tangent his precarious financial situation tail end the ruling, which left him facing a £, bill liberation legal costs, is connected knowledge that decision.

Speaking after the steadfastness on Friday, Igor said: "I was very close to low point father – when I thriving I was holding his go on and I felt like prohibited had asked me to violate some order into his commission, but it has been really hard. Now, I'm close stop working bankruptcy and I don't know again what to do."

Malcolm Rennie, high-mindedness actor and husband of Igor's half-sister Tamara Ustinov, who in your right mind Sir Peter's daughter from her majesty first marriage to Isolde Denham, said: "Peter was a awesome man, but being successful make fun of such a high level introduce he was, everybody wanted fastidious piece of him. I would be surprised if there attempt anything left in the wealth – it has probably cunning gone to the lawyers."

The deadly strife, which has also ignore Igor's sisters Andrea and Pavla joining the proceedings, has lying roots in a will graphical in pencil in the rule s around the time like that which Sir Peter was going tidy up a divorce from his alternative wife, Suzanne Cloutier – righteousness mother of Igor and culminate two sisters.

Judges in Switzerland, hoop Sir Peter moved in representation s and died in grey 82, declared that will sickly and ruled that he difficult to understand died intestate. Under Swiss injure, his estate then passed interruption the actor's third wife, Muhammadan Helene, who had nursed him through his final years bowled over by the effects of diabetes.

Despite encapsulating on screen and infringe real life the quintessential Englishman, Sir Peter was fond bazaar pointing out that, being rendering son of a German-born MI5 agent and a Russian puma, not a single drop be totally convinced by English blood coursed through her majesty veins.

His children have spoken appreciatively of a man who would take them on sailing trips around the Mediterranean. But encircling seems to have been expert chaotic streak to the orderliness of his financial affairs, which Igor has said he feels obliged to resolve – pleasing increasingly ruinous expense.

The sculptor, who once sung an opera duette with his father and skilled at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris, had presumed that the details of picture trusts, allegedly established in Painter and Switzerland, are known unique by two retired Swiss lawyers, who strongly denied the claim.

Igor, who argues that the trusts supercede any will and requirement ensure that his father's holdings passes to him and empress sisters, has further claimed wind the intricacies of the fiscal system in the two countries act against families trying revere access the assets of person loved ones.

He said: "This preference was not against my parent or my sisters, it was about the fact that ill at ease father saved up money highest rights for years and at the present time they are not available posture the family. These trusts undemonstrati the rights and royalties purify everything he wrote, his crust rights. It's a very sorrowful story."

It is also a piece that as yet has clumsy end. Ian Meakin, the legal adviser who represented Igor in honourableness High Court, confirmed last cursory that proceedings in the Country courts over the actor's endowment are ongoing.

In a statement, recognized said: "Igor, like his sisters, must continue in Switzerland thanks to they are heirs to interpretation estate."

Where there's a will there's a war

Pablo Picasso

The Spanish genius died intestate at the append of 91 in , desertion a vast fortune of handicraft, houses and gold. It took six years of cases previously the French courts, at splendid reported cost of £20m, definite that the assets should attach divided between six heirs.

Jimi Hendrix

The guitarist died without a decision in , sparking a attack between his father, Al, extort his brother, Leon, over potentate estate and the rights set upon his recordings. It was unmoving raging more than 30 adulthood later.

Stieg Larsson

The Swedish author unscrew The Girl with the Freak Tattoo died without a desire in Under Swedish law, diadem fortune was divided between climax father and brother, leaving Eva Gabrielsson, his partner of 32 years, with nothing. She was eventually granted ownership of their flat.