Staff at a publishing giant whose owner unexpectedly left his $1.2billion empire to a worker he was in a relationship with said they 'all knew' about the fling.
M Richard 'Dick' Robinson Jr's long-term relationship with staffer Iole Lucchese was an open secret among staff at Scholastic - which has now been passed onto Lucchese, who is Scholastic's chief strategy officer.
A source told People magazine: 'We all knew,' the source added, especially since Lucchese - who is Scholastic's chair of the board, executive vice president and president of Scholastic Entertainment - was respected in the office because she worked there for 30 years and had Robinson's ear.
M Richard 'Dick' Robinson Jr died on June 5 aged 84 after collapsing while on a walk in Martha's Vineyard with his son.
He left the company to Scholastic's chief strategy officer Iole Lucchese. She also
inherited all his personal possessions, which was unpredicted to Robinson's family but 'no surprise' to company employees.
The owner of $1.2billion Scholastic Corp M Richard 'Dick' Robinson Jr (left) died suddenly at age 84 and left the company to Iole Lucchese (right), a worker he was in a relationship with
However, Robinson's family members - including his siblings, ex-wife Helen Benham and sons John Benham 'Ben' Robinson, 34, and Maurice 'Reece' Robinson, 25 - thought the longtime romantic relationship ended years ago.
Family members were reportedly unhappy about the terms of the 2018 will that outlined the succession plan, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Ben said that the will's contents 'served as salt in an open wound,' while younger son Reece, 25, agreed that it was 'unexpected and shocking'.
Before his sudden death Robinson became much closer to his ex-wife and sons. Reece said: 'You might think from the will that he didn't see his sons. That's not true. For the last two years, I saw him multiple times a week.'
Lucchese (right) also inherited all his personal possessions, which was unpredicted to Robinson's family but 'no surprise' to company employees
Helen had also worked at Scholastic for more than 30 years and at one point served on the board. She told The Wall Street Journal that she and Robinson had grown close again after their 2003 divorce.
Robinson's family members - including his siblings, ex-wife Helen Benham and sons John Benham 'Ben' Robinson, 34, and Maurice 'Reece' Robinson (pictured), 25 - thought the longtime romantic relationship ended years ago
'I lived and breathed Scholastic while also raising our two children,' she said. 'Dick told me on more than one occasion, "You care more about Scholastic than I do."
In response to Robinson's will Helen added: 'I was shocked and we were not expecting this.'
Family members told the Wall Street Journal that they're reviewing their legal options.
Robison said in his 2018 will that Lucchese, who has been with the company for more than three decades, is 'my partner and closest friend'.
Scholastic Corp published some of most-well known titles like Harry Potter, Clifford, Magic Schoolbus and Captain Underpants, among others.
Robinson's death stunned everyone. Although he was 84, he was said to be in good shape.
The company issued this statement afterward: 'We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Dick Robinson.'
Richard Robinson, chairman, president and CEO of Scholastic, rear, holds the first signed US edition of the book 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' during its unveiling in New York, Friday July 15, 2005
Maurice Robinson, 86, founder and chairman of Scholastic Magazines Inc (left) pictured with his son Richard Robinson Jr, the firm's president and chief executive officer
'Dick was a true visionary in the world of children's books and an unrelenting advocate for children's literacy and education with a remarkable passion his entire life. The Company's directors and
