Mystery party to join Geoffrey Edelsten’s ex-wife and son in estate fight

A mystery person is set to vie for a slice of controversial businessman Geoffrey Edelsten’s “modest” estate, while ex-wife Brynne Gordon has questioned its value.

A mystery individual could become the third person to vie for a slice of controversial businessman Geoffrey Edelsten’s shrinking estate, a court has heard.

It comes as ex-wife Brynne Gordon, who was left with nothing in Edelsten’s will, raised “a suspicion” her former husband’s estate is worth much more than the $1m executors claim it is.

Lawyers for Ms Gordon on Tuesday labelled the American socialite, who was married to the former GP for five years from 2009, “impecunious”.

Geoffrey Edelsten’s ex-wife Brynne Gordon was left with nothing in Edelsten’s will. Picture: Getty Images

“She needs a home, she needs a nest egg, she needs an income stream,” Carolyn Sparke KC said.

Lawyers for Edelsten’s son, Matthew Beard, also appeared during the Supreme Court hearing as he fights for a larger chunk of his father’s estate.

Edelsten died in his Melbourne apartment in June last year aged 78 after a long period of declining health, leaving his son $50,000.

He left nothing for his two ex-wives Gordon and Gabi Grecko, claiming in his will he had provided for them “excessively” during their marriages.

Ex-wife Gabi Grecko was also left nothing in Edelsten’s will. Picture: Instagram

Now a third unknown claimant has also flagged they’re preparing to lodge a claim from the estate, the court heard.

Sandra Karabidian, for Edelsten’s estate, said executors were notified of the development just last week.

“We were put on notice this is coming and not to distribute the estate,” Ms Karabidian said.


No details of the potential new claimant were aired in court, other than they may fall under the category of an “eligible person”.

The court also heard creditors may seek to carve out more than $285,000 of the “quite modest” estate for themselves.

Geoffrey Edelsten’s son, Matthew Beard, is also seeking a piece of his estate. Picture: Supplied

Ms Karabidian said executors were concerned if creditors were to make such a claim, it would have “a significant impact” in the size of the estate.

“It seems quite a simple estate on paper, but it’s turned out to be quite a complex case,” Ms Karabidian said.

Meanwhile, Ms Sparke, raised the question about the exact size of Edelsten’s estate, flagging the death of his wealthy mother in recent years and whether he retained any of her assets.


“My client has a suspicion … that the estate is larger than that which is revealed,” Ms Sparke said.

Judicial registrar Leonie Englefield ordered both Ms Gordon and Mr Beard file documents in the next month outlining the quantum they seek.

The matter will return to court in November.