The prolonged legal battle over the inheritance of Victoria Eugenia Fernández de Córdoba, the XVII Duchess of Medinaceli, continues as the Provincial Court of Seville has recently ruled in favor of the foundation that manages her estate. The court's decision ensures that the duchess's substantial assets will not be divided to satisfy a claim for 40.5 million euros by some of her descendants. This ruling overturns a previous court decision from 2021, which had ordered the foundation to pay this sum, reflecting the complexities surrounding aristocratic inheritance and the legal intricacies involved in such cases.

The duchess passed away on August 18, 2013, and the dispute has its roots in a 2003 will that was later ratified in 2012. Her decision to allocate her wealth through a foundation was challenged when four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren filed a lawsuit against the Duchess of Medinaceli Foundation and its president, Ignacio Medina, claiming their rightful share of the inheritance. The complexity of aristocratic legacies often leads to such disputes, especially when large sums and historic estates are involved, raising questions about the intentions expressed in wills and the role of foundations in managing these assets.

This ruling could have far-reaching implications for similar cases in Spain and beyond, as it sets a precedent regarding the authority of foundations over aristocratic estates. The decision to uphold the foundation's control over the duchess's assets, rather than fragmenting her inheritance to satisfy demands from her descendants, highlights the ongoing tension between maintaining the integrity of a family legacy and the various claims made by heirs. The continuing battles over such inheritances illustrate the need for clear legal frameworks to navigate the complexities of hereditary wealth and the rights of descendants in aristocratic families.