Belgian Millionaire’s €183M Inheritance Dispute
The death of Belgian businessman Johan De Letter has sparked a major family dispute over his €183 million fortune and questions about the circumstances surrounding his euthanasia.
De Letter, a wealthy industrialist from East Flanders, died on May 23, 2025, at the age of 84 after choosing euthanasia. His brother, Willy De Letter, has filed a criminal complaint, arguing that the circumstances of his brother’s death and the transfer of his fortune deserve further investigation.
The case has drawn attention because De Letter reportedly transferred his entire fortune to his business partner just two days before his death. His family is questioning whether he was mentally capable of making such an important decision at the time.
Notes Raise Questions About His Mental State
Recent reporting has brought attention to notes suggesting that De Letter may have been confused around the time he underwent euthanasia.
According to the report, the notes raise questions about his mental clarity, including whether he fully understood the situation and the people involved in his care.
His family is concerned that his mental condition may have affected his decisions in the days before his death. However, these concerns remain allegations and do not, by themselves, prove that the euthanasia procedure was unlawful.
€183 Million Fortune Went to Business Partner
De Letter built his wealth through the steel industry. He founded the company Sadel in 1975 and accumulated a fortune estimated at more than €183 million.
Shortly before his death, he transferred his entire fortune to his business partner, a woman who had worked closely with him for years.
The timing of the transfer has become a central issue in the family dispute. Relatives are questioning why he made such a significant decision only two days before his death and whether anyone may have influenced him.
His business partner has denied manipulating him or taking advantage of his mental condition.
Brother Calls for Investigation
Willy De Letter has publicly questioned the circumstances surrounding his brother’s death. The family also raised concerns about being excluded from his final hours and not being informed in advance that he had chosen euthanasia.
After relatives contacted the police, a criminal complaint was filed, and an investigating judge took over the case. Authorities also arranged for Johan’s body to be taken into custody for further examination before his cremation could proceed.
The family says it wants answers about what happened, rather than necessarily seeking the inheritance for itself.
Investigation Continues
The case raises difficult questions about personal autonomy, mental capacity, inheritance and the safeguards surrounding euthanasia in Belgium.
At this stage, the family’s suspicions have not established that a crime occurred or that the euthanasia procedure was unlawful. The investigation is intended to clarify the circumstances of De Letter’s death and the decisions made shortly beforehand.
The central question remains whether Johan De Letter made his final decisions freely and with a clear understanding of their consequences.
