A family conflict between Mango founder Isak Andic and his son Jonathan escalated to psychiatric intervention. The dispute over inheritance and business succession now plays a role in a homicide investigation.
The long-standing conflict between Mango founder Isak Andic and his eldest son, Jonathan Andic, has taken a dramatic turn, with psychiatric and therapeutic intervention now at the center of a legal investigation. In March 2023, after years of tension over the future of the Mango business and unresolved personal issues, both men sought help from Julia Lüderwaldt, a well-known psychotherapist in Barcelona. Her approach, involving direct confrontation, aimed to address what she described as a toxic and dependent relationship that had persisted for nearly a decade.
The situation escalated when Jonathan, feeling overshadowed by his father, demanded a substantial “living inheritance” of 40 million euros to launch his own ventures—a tailor shop and a restaurant. Lüderwaldt supported this request, believing it could free Jonathan from his father’s influence. However, Isak Andic’s reluctance and concerns about his son’s emotional state led the therapist to refer them to psychiatrist Antoni Bulbena, a specialist in anxiety disorders.
Bulbena met with both men in his Barcelona office, first together and then separately. He later described the relationship as deeply troubled, with both father and son expressing significant distress and a desire to resolve their issues. Despite efforts to improve their dynamic, evidence from WhatsApp messages and witness statements suggested ongoing hostility, contradicting claims from Jonathan’s circle that the relationship had improved.
The roots of the conflict trace back to 2014, when Isak Andic attempted to hand over Mango’s leadership to Jonathan—a move that quickly failed, forcing Isak to abandon his own plans and remove his son from the company after just one year. During their session with Bulbena, Isak reportedly expressed his wish to repair the relationship but doubted that a large financial gift would solve Jonathan’s problems. Jonathan, meanwhile, admitted to feelings of hatred toward his father, echoing sentiments previously shared with the therapist.
Following their only in-person meeting, Bulbena continued to communicate with both men by phone. He provided the court with text and audio messages exchanged after the session. Jonathan wrote to Bulbena, acknowledging that the psychiatrist did not support the idea of a living inheritance and asking for help to cope with the ongoing distress caused by his relationship with his father.
Two months later, Isak informed Bulbena that they would not continue psychiatric sessions, opting instead to resume therapy with Lüderwaldt. He indicated that he had “had to give in,” referencing the therapist’s condition that the 40 million euro transfer proceed. Ultimately, Jonathan received a donation of two million euros, while his sisters each received one million, with the amounts later adjusted in the will.
Bulbena’s testimony to the court painted Isak Andic as a concerned father willing to do whatever it took to help his son. However, the psychiatrist could not explain the specifics of Lüderwaldt’s “seven chronologies” method, which divides life into seven stages, each with its own challenges. Lüderwaldt, who is not registered with any professional association, claimed her therapy helped Jonathan marry influencer Paula Nata and have a child less than a year after Isak’s death in Montserrat in December 2024.
As the investigation continues, the court is examining whether Isak Andic’s death during a mountain excursion was accidental or if Jonathan, who accompanied him, played a role. The judge has cited the poor relationship as one of seven factors supporting the homicide accusation. In therapy documents, Jonathan reportedly expressed hatred, resentment, and thoughts of death, blaming his father for his distress.
The judge’s order also points to Jonathan’s “obsession” with money and alleged emotional manipulation of his father. The planned creation of a charitable foundation by Isak in mid-2024 is seen as a possible motive, though the defense argues the foundation would have received only a small portion of the family’s estimated 4.5 billion euro fortune. The case has drawn attention to the complex intersection of family dynamics, business succession, and mental health in high-profile Spanish families.
Family disputes involving inheritance and therapy are not unique to the Andic case. Similar themes have surfaced in Spanish media, such as the influence of renowned therapists on public figures and their families. For example, the impact of therapy on relationship struggles was recently explored in a film project shaped by Esther Perel’s expertise, as discussed in this feature on therapy and family conflict in the public eye.
In Spain, inheritance disputes and family business transitions often lead to legal battles and public scrutiny, especially when large fortunes and well-known brands are involved. The Andic case highlights the challenges of balancing personal relationships with business interests, and the growing role of mental health professionals in mediating high-stakes family conflicts. As the investigation unfolds, the outcome may set a precedent for how similar disputes are handled in the future.
