Yoga Teacher's Bitter Inheritance Battle Over £5 Million Fortune
A yoga teacher is embroiled in a bitter High Court inheritance dispute after being cut out of her wealthy property investor husband's £5 million fortune. Gabriela Teixeira, now 41, alleges that legal documents signed just weeks before her husband's death were a deliberate attempt to deprive her of her rightful inheritance.
Luxurious Lifestyle and Sudden Disinheritance
Gabriela Teixeira lived in a series of luxurious London properties with her husband, Abbas Moaven, from their wedding in 2002 until his death in 2012 at age 45. The couple resided in high-end neighbourhoods such as Holland Park and Kensington, enjoying a lavish lifestyle funded by Abbas's successful business ventures in clothing, mobile phones, restaurants, and property investment.
Originally, Abbas's will divided his estate between his wife and their two children—Elis Teixeira Moaven and Aryan Moaven, now 22 and 19. Ms Teixeira expected to inherit millions from the estate. However, just weeks before his death from cancer, Abbas signed legal documents declaring that four properties worth over £3 million were actually shared with his mother and brother, Amir Moaven, now 55.
High Court Battle Over 'Sham' Documents
This declaration drastically reduced the amount Ms Teixeira was due to inherit, potentially leaving her penniless when accounting for outstanding debts. She and her children are now fighting a High Court battle against her husband's brother, Amir, seeking to restore the properties to her husband's estate and secure their full inheritance value of up to £5 million.
Her barrister, Alexander Learmonth KC, argues that lawyers' notes on the documents Abbas signed reveal fears that Ms Teixeira might leave the UK with the children after his death. These notes reportedly show Amir questioning how such a departure could be prevented. Mr Learmonth contends these comments confirm the deeds were a 'sham' and were 'entered into with the clear aim of defeating a claim by Gabriela and/or her children against the estate.'
Conflicting Claims and Family Dispute
In court, Ms Teixeira testified that Abbas never indicated the properties were not entirely his. She described how they house-hunted together for their family home in Holland Park and an investment property in Kensington, with no involvement from Amir or their mother, Nazemi Tehran.
However, Amir insists the declarations of trust were legitimate, claiming the properties had always been owned equally by the Moaven brothers and their mother. His barrister, Lydia Pemberton, described the row as a 'very bitter family dispute' but maintained the declarations were 'the written manifestation of the long-standing agreement' about shared ownership.
Amir argues that the properties were only in Abbas's name for 'cultural reasons' as the elder brother, though Mr Learmonth counters this by pointing out other high-end properties held solely in Amir's name.
Financial Strain and Unresolved Inheritance
Mr Learmonth told the court that Ms Teixeira is anxious to restore the properties to the estate and receive her inheritance, stating: 'She is unable to sustain the lifestyle she enjoyed during Abbas' lifetime, while he was still well, on her income working as a doula.' A doula provides non-clinical support to families during childbirth.
The court heard that Abbas and Amir moved to the UK from Iran in 1982, building their business empire together. Their mother died in 2023, leaving half her estate to Amir and a quarter each to Elis and Aryan.
Following a week-long trial before Deputy Master Timothy Bowles, the decision has been reserved until a later date. The outcome will determine whether Ms Teixeira and her children can access the full £5 million inheritance they believe is rightfully theirs.
