Stieg Larsson’s brother has rejected claims by the late crime novelist’s long-time companion that the family is trying to squeeze every penny from the author’s posthumous fame.
Joakim Larsson says he and his father – who inherited the writer’s estate – plan to donate most of the 250 million kronor (£22.5m) they’ve earned to date from the books to charity.
On a talk show in Sweden, Joakim Larsson said the family hasn’t “even thought about” keeping the money.
The writer’s companion of 30 years, Eva Gabrielsson, wants control of Larsson’s works and claims the family is commercialising his legacy for profit.
She inherited nothing as they were not married and Larsson did not leave a will when he died in 2004, aged 50.
His death came before any of his three completed Millennium titles – The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest – were published.
The crime novels, featuring crusading journalist Blomkvist and punk hacker Salander, have become worldwide best-sellers with up to 50 million copies sold.
