Paul Newman's Children Sue the Newman Family Foundation

Two of Paul Newman's five daughters are suing the Newman's Own Foundation. Susan Kendall Newman, his eldest daughter, and Nell Newman, his third daughter, have filed a suit in the state of Connecticut that alleges the foundation has cut the contributions that Paul's daughters can direct to charities of their choice. (Newman's other three daughters are not involved in the lawsuit.)

"Newman’s Own Foundation lost its way and strayed from its mission to preserve and honor Paul Newman’s legacy," the complaint reads. "The years since Mr. Newman’s death consist of a long and consistent pattern of disregard, by those in control, of Mr. Newman’s specific intentions and direction, coupled with mismanagement, scandal, and questionable practices."

Newman's Own Foundation, created in 2005, is funded by the food and beverage company Newman’s Own, which launched in 1982. They operate independently from the Newman family; none of the daughters sit on the board of directors. In 2020, the foundation's board reduced the yearly amount that Paul's daughters receive each year to direct to charitable donations, from $400,000 to $200,000. Susan and Nell seek $1.6 million in damages from the foundation to be donated to charities they chose.

"No one should have to feel that the legacy of a departed loved one is being dishonored in the way that Newman's Own Foundation has disregarded the daughters of Paul Newman," their lawyer Andy Lee told People. "This lawsuit does not seek personal compensation for Mr. Newman's daughters, but simply seeks to hold NOF accountable to the charities they have shortchanged in recent years and would ensure they receive an increased level of support in the future, in line with Mr. Newman's wishes."

The daughters also say in their suit that the foundation has eliminated funding towards charities that were important to their father.

Yet, the foundation's board is pushing back on the allegations. "Best practices surrounding philanthropic organizations do not allow for the establishment of perpetual funding allotments for anyone, including Nell and Susan Newman,” a spokesman for Newman's Own Foundation said in a statement. "A meritless lawsuit based on this faulty wish would only divert money away from those who benefit from Paul Newman’s generosity. While we expect to continue to solicit Newman family recommendations for worthy organizations, our funding decisions are made each year and will continue to reflect the clear aim of Paul Newman and our responsibility to the best practices governing private foundations."

The lawsuit also says that Paul Newman's will was amended months before his death, alleging he wasn't mentally competent to approve the changes. Per the Wall Street Journal, "the changes stripped provisions meant to empower Newman family members in dealings with the foundation, according to the suit." Newman died in 2008.

We'll update this as we learn more about this lawsuit.

You Might Also Like

• 12 Weekend Getaway Spas For Every Type of Occasion

• What Your Favorite Champagne Brand Says About You

• Beauty Gurus Share Their Makeup Secrets for Older Women