"Born out of wedlock": Liz Hurley's son set to inherit nothing
The biological grandfather of Liz Hurley’s son is doing everything within his power to stop Hurley’s son from getting any of the family fortune.
Damian Charles Hurley was born in 2002 after Liz Hurley was romantically involved with US businessman Steve Bing.
As Steve has an estimated net worth of $USD600 million ($AU853 million), with the bulk of his wealth coming from his grandfather, Leo S. Bing, a New York real estate baron, it makes sense that the family would want to protect the fortune.
The grandfather, Dr Peter Bing, is trying to prevent Damian from getting involved with the family trust.
Peter Bing has argued that Damian and Steve have never met since he was born, and that Damian isn’t eligible for the trust as he was “born out of wedlock”.
Although that rule might sound old-fashioned, the trust was established in 1980 and states, according to The Mirror:
“[The trust] would not benefit any person bought out of wedlock unless that person had lived for a substantial period of time as a regular member of the household.”
The legal battle began after another of Steve Bing’s illegitimate children, Kira Bing, claimed she was a beneficiary of the trust and wanted information on it.
Despite Steve Bing demanding paternity tests for both children, they confirmed that Kira and Damian are his children.
Peter Bing’s claim is that since Damian and Kira have never lived with Steve, they do not have rights to the trust.
Elizabeth Hurley with boyfriend Steven Bing in 2001.
In Peter Bing’s affidavit, he claims:
“l know that neither of them has lived with Stephen while a minor as a regular member of his household,” the affidavit states.
“To the best of my knowledge, Stephen has never met Damian, and Stephen only met Kira after she became an adult.
“Regardless of whether, when and if Stephen met with or had any relationship with Damian or Kira while they are or were minor because neither was raised by him during their formative years l do not consider them my grandchildren.
“Even were Stephen to develop a relationship with Damian now, l would not consider him my grandchild because he is nearing adulthood.”
As the legal battle continues, it is unknown whether Damian and Kira will benefit from the family’s trust.