An estranged son, a legal battle with a live-in lover, and a mogul who wanted to 'live forever': Meet the heirs to the ViacomCBS empire

Taylor BordenAug 13, 2020, 03:08 IST

Sumner Redstone and some of his family members attend a ceremony honoring him with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in March 2012.Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Media magnate Sumner Redstone, who forged an empire of entertainment companies encompassing CBS, Viacom, and Paramount Pictures, died on August 11 at the age of 97.
His legacy business, ViacomCBS, is worth $16 billion. His personal net worth was estimated by Forbes to be $3 billion.
He is survived by two children, Brent and Shari Redstone. His daughter, Shari, is the steward of much of his media empire. She owns a 20% stake in National Amusements, the family holding company, and is one of seven trustees overseeing Sumner's 80% stake.
For much of the last decade, legal battles brewed over Redstone's trust as he grew older without letting go of his stake. His mental capacity was often a subject in the litigation. His five grandchildren are now the beneficiaries of his trust — but at one point, his will included the two women he lived with after his second divorce.
Here's a look at the Redstone family dynasty.

Sumner Redstone's media empire dates back to the 1950s.

Viacom Chairman Sumner Redstone in a screening room at National Amusements. John Blanding/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

At its peak, Redstone's empire was worth $40 billion. Today, it's worth $16 billion. The company's holdings include MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, and Paramount Pictures.

Sumner Redstone, the president and CEO of National Amusements, Viacom, and CBS, in October 1994, standing in Times Square in midtown Manhattan in 1994. Joe McNally/Getty Images

At its peak, Redstone's empire was worth $40 billion. Today, it's worth $16 billion. The company's holdings include MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, and Paramount Pictures.

Shari Redstone, Sumner's daughter, is now the steward of the Redstone media empire.

Sumner Redstone and Shari Redstone at the LA Friendly House Luncheon on Saturday, October 27, 2012, in Beverly Hills, California. Katy Winn/Invision for LA Friendly House/AP Images

Redstone's son, Brent, was estranged from his father.

Sumner Redstone in 2012. His son Brent is rarely photographed. Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, File

At one point, Redstone's will included two live-in girlfriends.

Sydney Holland, left, and Manuela Herzer arrive at the Friendly House Los Angeles' 24th Annual Awards Luncheon at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013 in Los Angeles. Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP Images

The main beneficiaries of Redstone's trust are said to be his five grandchildren.

Sumner Redstone and his family attend a ceremony honoring him with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in March 2012. From left: granddaughter Kimberlee Ostheimer, Shari Redstone, grandson Brandon Korff, grandson Tyler Korff, and Kimberlee's husband, Jason Ostheimer. Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

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An estranged son, a legal battle with a live-in lover, and a mogul who wanted to 'live forever': Meet the heirs to the ViacomCBS empire

Sumner Redstone's media empire dates back to the 1950s.

At its peak, Redstone's empire was worth $40 billion. Today, it's worth $16 billion. The company's holdings include MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, and Paramount Pictures.

Shari Redstone, Sumner's daughter, is now the steward of the Redstone media empire.

Redstone's son, Brent, was estranged from his father.

At one point, Redstone's will included two live-in girlfriends.

The main beneficiaries of Redstone's trust are said to be his five grandchildren.