Stieg Larsson's family hits back in inheritance row
Stieg Larsson’s brother has rejected claims by the late crime novelist’s long-time companion that the family is trying to squeeze every penny from Larsson’s posthumous fame.
Joakim Larsson says he and his father – who inherited the writer’s estate - plan to donate most of the 250 million kronor (€27.9m) they have earned to date from the popular books to charity.
On a talk show airing today in Sweden, Joakim Larsson says the family has not “even thought about” keeping the money.
The writer’s companion for three decades, Eva Gabrielsson, wants control of Larsson’s works and says the family is commercialising his legacy for profit.
She inherited nothing because they weren’t married and Larsson did not leave a will when he died in 2004, aged 50.
His death came before any of his three completed Millennium titles – 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo', 'The Girl Who Played with Fire' and 'The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest' – were published.
The crime novels featuring crusading journalist Blomkvist and punk hacker Salander have become worldwide best-sellers with up to 50 million copies sold.
