Muriel Spark leaves millions to woman friend rather than son

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Dame Muriel Spark cut her estranged son out of her multi- million- pound will, leaving every penny to the female friend she lived with for 40 years.

Dame Muriel, best known for the novel The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie, denied son Robin, 68, any share of the estate in a damning letter sent to his solicitors following her death, a year ago today at the age of 88.

She walked out on him when he was just six to write novels and seek fame and fortune. That was 62 years ago and the rift between the two was never healed.

Dame Muriel Spark

Her will, filed in an Italian court, reveals she left her entire estate to her companion Penelope Jardine.

They lived in a farmhouse in Tuscany at Oliveto near Arezzo. After the novelist's death, Miss Jardine denied rumours that they were in a lesbian relationship, saying they were simply close friends.

Edinburgh-born Dame Muriel, perhaps predicting that her only son, an artist, would make a claim on her fortune, left instructions with her Italian lawyer that if he did, a letter she had written detailing her reasons for cutting him off should be sent to his solicitors.

The author wrote her will in 1998 and it is filed in the court at Arezzo. The two-page document, handwritten in Italian, says her entire Italian estate should go to Miss Jardine.

It describes Miss Jardine as her "friend and helper for many years, since 1968, and I confirm that to her must go all my furniture, books, manuscripts, letters and correspondence and documents, and all my rights as an author in Italy". There was no mention of Robin.

Her lawyer said she had estate in other countries – but not Britain – and that in these cases Miss Jardine was also the beneficiary.

When Dame Muriel's funeral was held in Italy, Robin stayed at home in Edinburgh, in the same flat where he has lived since 1945.

He had not forgiven her for abandoning him and they were never properly reconciled.

Although he did occasionally receive unsolicited gifts from her, Robin got precious little of the love he craved.

Dame Muriel with her son Robin as a toddler. She walked out on him when she was six.

Dame Muriel's Italian lawyer Lorenzo Contri said: "I helped her draw up the will and there was no mention of her son at all.

"In fact, she gave me a letter which she said should be posted if he made a claim on her will.

"The letter was very specific. She did not want her son to receive anything. The letter detailed her terrible experiences with him and their terrible relationship.

"I have been contacted by a solicitor representing Robin and asking for the will suggesting they may be entitled to a claim, and I sent them her letter. As yet I have not had a reply."

The estate is believed to be worth millions, although her lawyers have refused to provide exact figures.

In Italian law, Robin can make a claim at any time but it is a lengthy process and the letter from his mother cutting him off makes it unlikely any claim would succeed.

Details of the will emerged ahead of a memorial concert due to take place at Wigmore Hall in London on Tuesday.

Miss Jardine said: "I didn't really want to talk about this. It's all very private.

"What I will say is that we are holding a concert for Muriel in London for the anniversary of her death, some of her favourite musicians will be playing and Robin has been invited. I don't know if he is coming, it's up to him."

Robin refused to comment.

 

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