Inheritance

The Agnellis have been called Italy’s ‘uncrowned kings’. They created the car company Fiat, which has been at the heart of Italy’s industrial, economic and cultural life for more than a hundred years.

Gianni Agnelli inherited Fiat from his grandfather and went on to transform it into a global industrial empire. For many years he was seen as being a jet-setting playboy, driving fast cars and mixing with Hollywood stars. His funeral was attended by then Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, and sports stars, including racing driver Michael Schumacher.

But since Gianni’s death the Agnelli family has fractured, raising questions about whether they can maintain control. Now, the current Chairman John Elkann is locked in a dispute with his mother over the estate, which could have a huge impact on the way the family’s affairs are arranged.

Hit by a series of tragedies and buffeted by political winds, which members of the Agnelli family will succeed in steering the huge conglomerate?

The audio of this episode was updated on 23 October 2026 to remove references that required further context.

Presenter: Sofia Bettiza Series producer: Simon Tulett Producer: Bob Howard Fact-checkers: Adriana Urbano and Randa Darwish Music: Thomas Ross Fitzsimons Sound engineer: Richard Hannaford Series editor: Matt Willis With special thanks to Jennifer Clark, Michele Masneri, Rachel Sanderson, Andrea Colli, and, also, Octavia Woodward. Senior commissioning producer: Sarah Green Commissioning editor: Jon Manel

Inheritance is a BBC Long Form Audio production

Fiat’s founder, Giovanni Agnelli, begins building his dynasty, but his power could be checked by a rising and ruthless political star – Benito Mussolini. Will Fiat - now at the centre of Italy’s political, economic and cultural life – be free to plot its own path under fascism, or will Giovanni need to bend to the dictator? Plus, as Giovanni’s son is groomed to succeed him, the family’s fortunes take an unexpected turn.

Presenter: Sofia Bettiza Series producer: Simon Tulett Producer: Bob Howard Fact-checkers: Adriana Urbano and Randa Darwish Music: Thomas Ross Fitzsimons Sound engineer: Richard Hannaford Series editor: Matt Willis With special thanks to Jennifer Clark, Michele Masneri, Rachel Sanderson, Andrea Colli, and, also, Octavia Woodward. Senior commissioning producer: Sarah Green Commissioning editor: Jon Manel

Inheritance is a BBC Long Form Audio production

Gianni Agnelli is the head of the family that controls Fiat, and the vast business empire beyond the carmaker that helped shape modern Italy. Charming, charismatic and powerful, he's regarded by many as Italy’s unofficial king, and his family de facto royalty. When he dies the country is plunged into mourning and fear for its economic future. But Gianni’s death also triggers an inheritance dispute that will shake his family to its core. As old wounds re-open, competing ambitions emerge and the business itself drifts towards bankruptcy, a question looms: if the empire does survive, which member of the Agnelli family – if any of them – will be in charge?

Presenter: Sofia Bettiza Series producer: Simon Tulett Producer: Bob Howard Fact-checkers: Adriana Urbano and Randa Darwish Music: Thomas Ross Fitzsimons Sound engineer: Richard Hannaford Series editor: Matt Willis With special thanks to Jennifer Clark, Michele Masneri, Rachel Sanderson, Andrea Colli, and, also, Octavia Woodward. Senior commissioning producer: Sarah Green Commissioning editor: Jon Manel

Inheritance is a BBC Long Form Audio production

Samsung faces an uncertain future after its chairman, JY Lee, is jailed. In the final part of the series, Samsung is uncharted territory. The company – and the family – must survive.

In this brand-new 10-part series from the BBC World Service, we take you behind closed doors - inside the billion-dollar deals and the family power struggles that shape global empires. When your relatives are also your business partners, every decision is personal. In these dynasties, the boardroom isn’t just about profit - it’s about survival.

Host: Elise Hu Producers: Simon Tulett and Sally Abrahams Fact-checkers: Matt Toulson and Su-Min Hwang Music: Thomas Ross Fitzsimons Mixing and sound design: Charlie Brandon-King Series editor: Matt Willis With special thanks to Geoffrey Cain, Sojin Lim, Jaeyeon Lee, Jake Kwon and Mary Wilkinson Senior commissioning producer: Sarah Green Commissioning editor: Jon Manel

Inheritance is a BBC Long Form Audio production

JY Lee steps into the biggest role of his life, but quickly learns the role comes with added complications. Will a deal struck with the South Korean President, or a faulty new phone model, destroy his chairmanship before it’s really begun?

In this brand-new 10-part series from the BBC World Service, we take you behind closed doors - inside the billion-dollar deals and the family power struggles that shape global empires. When your relatives are also your business partners, every decision is personal. In these dynasties, the boardroom isn’t just about profit - it’s about survival.

Host: Elise Hu Producers: Simon Tulett and Sally Abrahams Fact-checkers: Matt Toulson and Su-Min Hwang Music: Thomas Ross Fitzsimons Mixing and sound design: Charlie Brandon-King Series editor: Matt Willis With special thanks to Geoffrey Cain, Sojin Lim, Jaeyeon Lee, Jake Kwon and Mary Wilkinson Senior commissioning producer: Sarah Green Commissioning editor: Jon Manel

Inheritance is a BBC Long Form Audio production

An old feud comes back to haunt the Lee family. A seed sown decades ago blossoms into a fraternal battle, putting the carefully planned succession at risk. But it’s not the only front on which Samsung is fighting for its survival.

In this brand-new 10-part series from the BBC World Service, we take you behind closed doors - inside the billion-dollar deals and the family power struggles that shape global empires. When your relatives are also your business partners, every decision is personal. In these dynasties, the boardroom isn’t just about profit - it’s about survival.

Host: Elise Hu Producers: Simon Tulett and Sally Abrahams Fact-checkers: Matt Toulson and Su-Min Hwang Music: Thomas Ross Fitzsimons Mixing and sound design: Charlie Brandon-King Series editor: Matt Willis With special thanks to Geoffrey Cain, Sojin Lim, Jaeyeon Lee, Jake Kwon and Mary Wilkinson Senior commissioning producer: Sarah Green Commissioning editor: Jon Manel

Inheritance is a BBC Long Form Audio production

The Lee family suffers a devastating personal loss, quickly followed by claims of professional wrongdoing. Samsung is left without a Lee family member in charge. Can it be brought back under their control?

In this brand-new 10-part series from the BBC World Service, we take you behind closed doors - inside the billion-dollar deals and the family power struggles that shape global empires. When your relatives are also your business partners, every decision is personal. In these dynasties, the boardroom isn’t just about profit - it’s about survival.

Host: Elise Hu Producers: Simon Tulett and Sally Abrahams Fact-checkers: Matt Toulson and Su-Min Hwang Music: Thomas Ross Fitzsimons Mixing and sound design: Charlie Brandon-King Series editor: Matt Willis With special thanks to Geoffrey Cain, Sojin Lim, Jaeyeon Lee, Jake Kwon and Mary Wilkinson Senior commissioning producer: Sarah Green Commissioning editor: Jon Manel

Inheritance is a BBC Long Form Audio production

Samsung finds global recognition through a relentless focus on quality and a little help from Hollywood. But in the mid-2000s, its leaders come under pressure about alleged bribery.

In this brand-new 10-part series from the BBC World Service, we take you behind closed doors - inside the billion-dollar deals and the family power struggles that shape global empires. When your relatives are also your business partners, every decision is personal. In these dynasties, the boardroom isn’t just about profit - it’s about survival.

Host: Elise Hu Producers: Simon Tulett and Sally Abrahams Fact-checkers: Matt Toulson and Su-Min Hwang Music: Thomas Ross Fitzsimons Mixing and sound design: Charlie Brandon-King Series editor: Matt Willis With special thanks to Geoffrey Cain, Sojin Lim, Jaeyeon Lee, Jake Kwon and Mary Wilkinson Senior commissioning producer: Sarah Green Commissioning editor: Jon Manel

Inheritance is a BBC Long Form Audio production

Things are changing at Samsung as the business looks to the internet for success. But when the dot-com bubble bursts, the company is left exposed to some awkward questions.

In this brand-new 10-part series from the BBC World Service, we take you behind closed doors - inside the billion-dollar deals and the family power struggles that shape global empires. When your relatives are also your business partners, every decision is personal. In these dynasties, the boardroom isn’t just about profit - it’s about survival.

Host: Elise Hu Producers: Simon Tulett and Sally Abrahams Fact-checkers: Matt Toulson and Su-Min Hwang Music: Thomas Ross Fitzsimons Mixing and sound design: Charlie Brandon-King Series editor: Matt Willis With special thanks to Geoffrey Cain, Sojin Lim, Jaeyeon Lee, Jake Kwon and Mary Wilkinson Senior commissioning producer: Sarah Green Commissioning editor: Jon Manel

Inheritance is a BBC Long Form Audio production

In the 1980s KH Lee takes charge of Samsung, but the business is struggling in a competitive global electronics market. It’s up to him to turn it around, and secure its future for the next generation with a complex succession plan.

In this brand-new 10-part series from the BBC World Service, we take you behind closed doors- inside the billion-dollar deals and the family power struggles that shape global empires. When your relatives are also your business partners, every decision is personal. In these dynasties, the boardroom isn’t just about profit - it’s about survival.

Host: Elise Hu Producers: Simon Tulett and Sally Abrahams Fact-checkers: Matt Toulson and Su-Min Hwang Music: Thomas Ross Fitzsimons Mixing and sound design: Charlie Brandon-King Series editor: Matt Willis With special thanks to Geoffrey Cain, Sojin Lim, Jaeyeon Lee, Jake Kwon and Mary Wilkinson Senior commissioning producer: Sarah Green Commissioning editor: Jon Manel

Inheritance is a BBC Long Form Audio production

When Samsung’s chairman has to choose who will take over the business once he’s gone, he looks to his three sons. But a betrayal from within the heart of the family shakes up the succession. Which member of the Lee family should take the top job?

In this brand-new 10-part series from the BBC World Service, we take you behind closed doors - inside the billion-dollar deals and the family power struggles that shape global empires. When your relatives are also your business partners, every decision is personal. In these dynasties, the boardroom isn’t just about profit - it’s about survival.

Host: Elise Hu Producers: Simon Tulett and Sally Abrahams Fact-checkers: Matt Toulson and Su-Min Hwang Music: Thomas Ross Fitzsimons Mixing and sound design: Charlie Brandon-King Series editor: Matt Willis With special thanks to Geoffrey Cain, Sojin Lim, Jaeyeon Lee, Jake Kwon and Mary Wilkinson Senior commissioning producer: Sarah Green Commissioning editor: Jon Manel

Inheritance is a BBC Long Form Audio production

Samsung started as a fruit and vegetable business, but growth in the 1950s leaves it vulnerable to political interference. Its chairman makes a deal to ensure its survival, but is instead hit with a scandal which could derail the whole company. How did Samsung get through to become the global tech giant we know today?

In this brand-new 10-part series from the BBC World Service, we take you behind closed doors - inside the billion-dollar deals and the family power struggles that shape global empires. When your relatives are also your business partners, every decision is personal. In these dynasties, the boardroom isn’t just about profit - it’s about survival.

Host: Elise Hu Producers: Simon Tulett and Sally Abrahams Fact-checkers: Matt Toulson and Su-Min Hwang Music: Thomas Ross Fitzsimons Mixing and sound design: Charlie Brandon-King. Series editor: Matt Willis With special thanks to Geoffrey Cain, Sojin Lim, Jaeyeon Lee, Jake Kwon and, also, Mary Wilkinson. Senior commissioning producer: Sarah Green Commissioning editor: Jon Manel

Inheritance is a BBC Long Form Audio production

In 2017, the heir to South Korea’s biggest company is facing jail, leaving it with an uncertain future. After 80 years of business, how did Samsung get here? And how did a deal meant to secure family control of the company go so wrong?

In this brand-new 10-part series from the BBC World Service, we take you behind closed doors - inside the billion-dollar deals and the family power struggles that shape global empires. When your relatives are also your business partners, every decision is personal. In these dynasties, the boardroom is not just about profit - it is about survival.

Presenter: Elise Hu Producers: Simon Tulett and Sally Abrahams Fact-checkers: Matt Toulson and Su-Min Hwang Music: Thomas Ross Fitzsimons Sound engineer: Charlie Brandon-King. Series editor: Matt Willis With special thanks to Geoffrey Cain, Sojin Lim, Jaeyeon Lee, Jake Kwon and, also, Mary Wilkinson. Senior commissioning producer: Sarah Green Commissioning editor: Jon Manel

Inheritance is a BBC Long Form Audio production

From a fruit and vegetable store to a global empire, Samsung’s story is more than business - it’s an epic family saga. Behind the success lies a dynasty driven by ambition, wealth, tradition and rivalries, where power struggles shaped not just the company but South Korea’s economy.

Everyone’s heard of Samsung; more than a billion people have one of their smart phones. This is the drama behind the tech giant that changed the world.

For most of Samsung’s history, the ruling Lee family was all but untouchable. But when the chairman has a huge heart attack, his heir is pushed into the spotlight. The complex manoeuvring to secure his fragile succession re-opens old family wounds, prompts one of the biggest scandals in South Korea’s history, and - eventually - helps bring down a president.

In this brand-new 10-part series from the BBC World Service, we take you behind closed doors - inside the billion-dollar deals and the family power struggles that shape global empires. In these dynasties, the boardroom isn’t just about profit - it’s about survival.

Hosted by journalist and podcaster Elise Hu.