NYC art dealer Pierre Levay ‘starved’, neglected by boyfriend, leading to death: lawsuit

The longtime lover of a prominent, married Manhattan art gallerist allegedly neglected and starved her — and tried to steal her $50 million estate, her family claims in court papers.

Pierre Levay, nephew of Frank Lloyd, co-founder of the famous Marlborough Gallery, died in June at the age of 87But his final months were a painful disgrace at the hands of Marcia Levin, his wife and son, who were accused in a bitter Manhattan Supreme Court lawsuit.

The family alleged that Levai had not eaten for three weeks and by the time he was admitted to a Florida hospital in April, he was in critical condition due to septic shock and several other medical problems.

“MS. LEVIN negligently caused Pierre’s death. Therefore, in accordance with New York State’s so-called ‘killer rule,’ Ms. LEVIN has declared herself ineligible to benefit from the demise of her potential beneficiary,” Max Levi, who Owns a 26-acre horse farm in MontaukCourt papers said.

According to court documents, she was to inherit $3 million.

both sides have been Levai has been tried in Florida courts since his death in JuneLevine claimed that Levine — who owned three Manhattan apartments and a home in Upper Germantown — was actually a Florida resident, a contention that a judge rejected in November, records show. Law.com first reported the fight over the $50 million estate.

For decades, Levai apparently lived a charmed life.

The art dealer acquired a great fortune after opening Marlboro’s New York branch in 1963; He was married to his wife Rosie for 55 years, while he had at least two lovers on the side, including a woman from France and one of his longtime employees, Marcia Levin.

And everyone was fine with the arrangement.

“I tolerated Pierre’s romantic relationships and Pierre and (I) remained married through them. Pierre and I remained cordial and I had a major role in caring for Pierre until shortly before his death,” Rosie Levai said in court papers.

The couple, who have two adult children, had been living apart since 2012, but as Levai’s physical and cognitive abilities declined, he required 24-hour home health assistance, and Rosie became his main caregiver, they said in the lawsuit. Said.

But wife and girlfriend often worked together, talking frequently as he became unable to care for himself due to dementia, Rosie said, until she returned to Levin’s for the annual winter break in November 2023. Didn’t go to Miami together.

According to the lawsuit, days after the ailing octogenarian arrived in the Sunshine State with a suitcase of clothes and medications, Levin allegedly began isolating him from his family and tried to change his estate plan.

Levi had always intended to return to New York, where renovations were underway on a new apartment close to Rosie’s. But Court documents show Levai “will never return.”

After about a month, “Marcia started keeping secrets from me about Pierre’s condition. , , and attempted to take advantage of Pierre in his vulnerable and distraught state,” Rosie Levay said in court papers against Levin.

Levin refuses to allow him to communicate with or see Rosie or their son, Max; seized his cell phone; Her family argued that he purchased a $7 million Miami apartment for her and, with the help of an attorney, allegedly prepared property documents that were against Levai’s lifelong wishes.

Levine, who was reportedly working with a Florida attorney named Paul Cowan, allegedly refused to remove Levay from life support for weeks “against Pierre’s express wishes”, his family claims. Did.

According to court documents, “As a result of Cowan and Marcia’s shameful and dishonest actions, Pierre remained bedridden in severe pain for several weeks and was unable to speak to his family or enjoy pain-free moments.”

A source close to Levin told The Post, “Anyone who knows the couple knows that they were in an extremely loving, mutually supportive relationship for decades and that they would never do anything to harm each other. Will not do.” “He and his legal team look forward to raising this issue in court.”