The siblings are the great-great-grandchildren of Otto von Bismarck, who masterminded the unification of Germany in the 19th century. Carl-Eduard , 63, has earned a reputation as the black sheep of the family and a playboy princeling, disinherited by his father, Prince Ferdinand von Bismarck, in due to his flamboyant lifestyle.
The inheritance dispute has brought the siblings to a court in the northern town of Lubeck. Reports from German media describe tense proceedings, with the siblings avoiding eye contact as their lawyers spoke on their behalf. Gregor argues that Carl-Eduard received a significant loan from their father, which, if proven, could reduce his claim.
The feud dates back decades, with tensions escalating even before the death of Prince Ferdinand in Carl-Eduard reportedly tried to evict her from the estate, leading to a confrontation so heated that officers arrived fearing weapons might be involved. His mother later withdrew a legal complaint against him.
He told Bild in an interview in His mother, he said, had withdrawn a legal complaint against him for bodily harm and had given a sworn statement that he had never threatened her with a hunting weapon.
Gregor, who inherited Friedrichsruh and its adjoining forestry estate, has since banned Carl-Eduard from the property altogether. Observers of the current court case see little hope for reconciliation. Once celebrated as a unifier of Germany, his legacy has faced increasing scrutiny over his role in German colonialism and his autocratic tendencies. The judge in Lubeck has urged the siblings to consider settling the matter privately but given the history of animosity, this seems unlikely.
