Reality and Rumor Surrounding a High-Profile Will Contest
A public discussion unfolded on a popular talk show when model Eduard Krivenko claimed he would sue Vyacheslav Zaitsev’s family over the fashion icon’s estate. In the studio, Krivenko arrived with a folder he described as containing Zaitsev’s will. He asserted that the will was written by Zaitsev himself and handed to Krivenko. He explained that he would share the documents only with a lawyer or in a court setting, yet he permitted the TV host to review the newspapers that afternoon. [Source: Malakhov program]
Krivenko spoke with conviction about defending his rights in court. He argued that his claim rests on years of support that Zaitsev received during the designer’s toughest moments, when other relatives were unavailable or unhelpful. He mentioned a relationship with Zaitsev’s son and grandson, indicating that they did not assist in those times. Krivenko described himself as a protector of the documents he said prove his connection and claim. [Source: Malakhov program]
The conversation on air touched on the presence of real estate records tied to Zaitsev. Krivenko referenced a Paris apartment that he said could be part of the estate, noting the designer enjoyed life in Paris and had encouraged learning the language. He described frequent trips to the French capital and suggested the property might be a genuine asset in the will. [Source: Malakhov program]
Observers acknowledged the tension between Krivenko and the designer’s family as the lawsuit storyline gained momentum. The host and viewers watched closely as questions about legitimacy, provenance, and the emotional stakes of inheritance played out on screen. The discourse reflected broader concerns about how legacies in the fashion world are managed and contested. [Source: Malakhov program]