'Donating Entire Fortune' Maradona... No Will, 8 Children Ignite 99.4 Billion Won Inheritance Battle?

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] On the 25th (local time), it was reported that a dispute over the inheritance of Argentine football legend Diego Maradona, who suddenly passed away from a heart attack, may arise among his bereaved family members.

On the 27th (local time), AFP reported that a close aide of the bereaved family, who requested anonymity, said, "There will be a big fight. The deceased did not leave a will."

Maradona, who died of a heart attack on the 25th, earned millions of dollars through salaries and advertising contracts during his career as a player and coach. Although the exact size of his assets has not been revealed, some media estimated that the fortune he left behind was $90 million (approximately 99.4 billion KRW).

During his lifetime, Maradona said he would donate all his assets, including real estate, luxury cars, and sponsorship contracts. Having a strained relationship due to a dispute with his daughter Gianinna, he stated at the time, "I have said that I will leave nothing to my family. I will give everything I had in my life."

However, it is not known whether he actually donated his assets. Additionally, according to Argentine law, only 20% of the assets can be donated, and at least two-thirds must go to the deceased's spouse or children. Not only the assets but also the ownership of the deceased's uniforms and portrait rights must be determined.

Maradona was officially married once and divorced. He had two daughters, Dalma and Gianinna, with his ex-wife Claudia Villafa?e, whom he divorced in 2003. However, he had more children outside of marriage.

After a long legal battle, he acknowledged the existence of his son Diego with an Italian singer, and in 2008, he also accepted a daughter born to another woman.

In 2013, he had a son, Diego Ojeda, with his girlfriend Veronica Ojeda, and in March of last year, he admitted to being the father of three children born in Cuba. Currently, there are eight confirmed children.

In response, Gianinna, who had cut ties with Maradona, posted on her Instagram, "If there are three more, it will make 11 players for a football team. We can do it. Stay strong."

Maradona's funeral was led by his ex-wife and his two daughters, but another daughter and his former girlfriend Veronica Ojeda, along with her son, also attended.

Argentine lawyer Martin Apolo said, "Maradona's assets will be distributed among his eight children through inheritance litigation," adding, "It will be a complicated process."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.