These days Edelman, 71, is spending his time running his art financing firm--and fighting off lawsuits.

FORBES: Magazine Article

In negotiating details of the recall, Fisher-Price and the government agreed to withhold details from the public until Thursday to give stores time to get suspect toys off shelves and Fisher-Price time to get its recall hot line up and running.

NPR: Big Bird, Elmo Hit in Latest 'Made in China' Recall

Mr Messer, who was running the company's French subsidiary, knew a spin-off was only a matter of time and thought that the family stake would be diluted.

ECONOMIST: Face value