A new round in the battle for inheritance is unfolding in Spain among members of the country’s oldest aristocratic families. Court rulings, unexpected twists, and family conflicts have turned noble life into a real drama, with not only titles but also vast fortunes at stake. Recent events in the houses of Medinaceli and Medina Sidonia once again reveal that behind the façade of luxury lie sharp contradictions and irreconcilable disputes.
Considerable attention was drawn by the recent legal victory of Ignacio Medina, Duke of Segorbe, who heads the Medinaceli Ducal House Foundation. The Seville Court of Appeal overturned the order to pay €40.5 million to the grandchildren of Victoria Eugenia Fernández de Córdoba, the former Duchess of Medinaceli. This decision delivered a blow to Rafael and Luis Medina, sons of Natalia Abascal, who were counting on a substantial share of the inheritance. However, the fight is far from over: the current Duchess, Victoria de Hohenlohe, and other heirs have already announced plans to challenge the verdict in the Supreme Court, arguing that the family’s rights have been infringed.
The situation in the house of Medina Sidonia is no less dramatic. Here, the conflict has erupted between the widow of the late duchess, Lilian Dahlmann, and her children—Leonsio, Pilar, and Gabriel. Rosario Bermudo, the recognized daughter of the duchess’s husband who is also claiming a share of the inheritance, has joined the dispute. Pilar González de Gregorio, one of the heirs, insists that the state should take control of the unique family archive to preserve it for future generations. She believes that only by doing so can further discord be prevented and the historical heritage safeguarded.
However, such conflicts are not uncommon among the Spanish aristocracy. In the house of the Dukes of Sevilla, the dispute continues between Olivia de Bourbon and her brother Francisco over the right to the title. The situation is further complicated by Francisco’s involvement in a criminal case related to drug trafficking, and he is currently released on bail. Despite this, he does not withdraw his claim to the ducal title, which by law should pass to the eldest daughter of the late duke. Family feuds, legal battles, and public statements have become part of everyday life for Spain’s nobility, with consequences that can affect the fate of entire dynasties.
It’s noteworthy that financial matters and the distribution of wealth concern not only the aristocracy but also the royal family. The royal budget was recently discussed, revealing new details about the incomes of Felipe VI and Letizia, as well as the expenses of the court. More about the unexpected changes in the royal family’s finances can be found in the article about the salaries and expenses of the Spanish monarchs.
At the center of all these developments is not only the struggle for money and titles, but also efforts to preserve a unique cultural and historical heritage. Archives, art collections, and ancient documents are all at the heart of disputes and legal battles. For many members of the nobility, the future of family heirlooms is just as important as the size of the inheritance. In a landscape where the interests of family, state, and society collide, every new court ruling can set a precedent for other aristocratic households.
The Duchess of Medinaceli, Victoria Eugenia Fernández de Córdoba, was one of the most influential figures in 20th-century Spanish aristocracy. Her name is associated with the preservation of unique cultural heritage, and the foundation she established still manages extensive art collections, historic buildings, and archives. Since her death, the battle for inheritance and control over the foundation has not subsided, and court decisions on these matters continue to impact the country’s entire aristocratic community. Her descendants persist in defending their rights, while the fate of the family’s treasures remains the subject of heated disputes.
