Ringling heirs go to trial over bereavement fight

By Nedra Pickler

Associated Press

Published: Tuesday, May 3 2011 2:05 a.m. MDT

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Karen Feld and her dog Campari are seen at her home in Washington, Thursday, April 14, 2011. The late multimillionaire owner of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus, Irvin Feld, left a renowned empire of wholesome entertainment designed to bring families together. Yet his own two children are so estranged they couldn’t even mourn with one another in peace.

Bob Burgess, Associated Press

Summary

The late multimillionaire owner of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus, Irvin Feld, left a renowned empire of wholesome entertainment designed to bring families together. Yet his own two children are so estranged they couldn't even mourn with one another in peace.

WASHINGTON — The late multimillionaire owner of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus, Irvin Feld, left a renowned empire of wholesome entertainment designed to bring families together. Yet his own two children are so estranged they couldn't even mourn with one another in peace.

The family history behind "the greatest show on Earth" is poised to go on trial May 9 in a Washington courtroom. Karen Feld has filed a $110 million suit against her younger brother, Kenneth, for assault when they came together in the Jewish rite of sitting shiva for their dead aunt.

Her suit says her brother feared she would reveal facts about their father and family that could tarnish the image of the business that includes the circus, Disney on Ice, drag racing and monster truck shows.

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