Who is Taylor Thomson? Billionaire Heiress Sues Ex-Best Friend Ashley Richardson

A shocking legal battle has erupted between two former close friends — Taylor Thomson, a Canadian billionaire heiress, and Ashley Richardson, a Los Angeles socialite. The two women are now fighting in court after a disastrous cryptocurrency gamble led to losses of more than $80 million.

The strange twist in this story is that the investment was encouraged by a psychic and later confirmed by an astrologer, making it one of the most unusual billionaire scandals of recent years.

The Friendship and the Fallout

Taylor Thomson, 66, is the middle daughter of Canada’s powerful Thomson family, owners of the Thomson Reuters media empire. She met Ashley Richardson, 47, at a Malibu party in 2009. The two became inseparable, enjoying luxury trips, private jets, and a lavish lifestyle in Los Angeles.

But everything changed in 2022, when the crypto market crashed. According to The Wall Street Journal, Richardson urged Thomson to invest in a token called Persistence (XPRT) after advice from celebrity psychic Michelle Whitedove. Thomson’s astrologer, Robert Sabella, also backed the idea.

At one point, Thomson had over $140 million in the investment, with Richardson managing her funds. When the market collapsed, Thomson accused Richardson of carrying out hundreds of thousands of trades without her approval.

The $80 Million Loss

A consulting firm, Guidepost, was brought in to investigate. Their findings revealed that more than 450,000 trades were executed with Thomson’s money, many considered highly risky.

Guidepost estimated losses at over $80 million. A spokesperson for Thomson said they are still working to recover “tens of millions of dollars” from Richardson’s management of the assets.

Richardson, however, denied wrongdoing. She claims every decision was made with Thomson’s consent and said she even invested her own savings.

Who is Taylor Thomson?

Taylor Thomson belongs to one of the world’s wealthiest families. The Thomson family fortune began with her grandfather, Roy Thomson, in the 1930s. Today, their company Woodbridge controls about 70% of Thomson Reuters, with over 310 million shares.

• Net Worth: Bloomberg estimates Taylor’s personal fortune at more than $13 billion.

• Wealth Sources: She holds about 14% of Woodbridge, alongside investments in real estate and artwork.

• Lifestyle: Known for buying luxury homes and art, she reportedly purchased properties with the ease others buy souvenirs.

Early Career and Personal Life

Before taking on her role in the family empire, Taylor studied acting at the American Repertory Theater in Massachusetts. She performed in Shakespeare plays and appeared in TV shows like Matrix and Forever Knight.

She has one daughter, born in 1999. To protect her privacy, Taylor has often required assistants, friends, and even family connections to sign non-disclosure agreements.

Her private life has sometimes been turbulent. She once accused a nanny of leaking information, hired Hollywood investigator Anthony Pellicano, and even suspected staff of stealing designer dresses from her daughter.

Tensions with Family

Despite her massive fortune, Taylor’s life has not been free of conflict. The Thomson empire traditionally passed wealth and control through male heirs, causing family tensions as Taylor pushed for equal access. These disagreements have strained her relationship with her brothers over the years.

The case between Taylor Thomson and Ashley Richardson is still unfolding, but it already stands out as one of the strangest financial scandals of the decade — a billionaire fortune tangled in friendship, betrayal, crypto speculation, and even advice from psychics and astrologers.