The widow of the Benihana Japanese steakhouse chain — who lords over the $35 million eatery empire left behind by the late Rocky Aoki — will now be working for her stepkids, following a Manhattan appeals court ruling.
“Devon and Steven Aoki are grateful that the Appellate Division recognized Rocky’s intention to leave his and the Benihana legacy to the family,” the adult kids’ attorney David Rose told The Post.
Devon, 31 a model and Steven, 36, a successful international DJ, were cut out of their inheritance after their father’s third wife, Keiko Ono Aoki, claimed that 2002 documents Rocky signed saying his assets could only go to his kids were fraudulent.
Keiko married the former Olympic wrestler, who founded the first teppanyaki-style restaurant — where diners sit around a massive iron giddle upon which everything is cooked — on W. 56th Street, in 2002.
In 2003, Rocky amended his will to say that Keiko should get 25 percent of his business outright when he died and income from the remaining 75 percent throughout her life.
After the flamboyant restaurateur died in 2008 his children challenged the will citing the 2002 documents. Last year, a judge agreed with Keiko’s argument that her husband didn’t understand what he was signing and handed her control over the famed chain.
But on Tuesday the Appellate Division overturned that decision.
“It is uncontested that Rocky had ample opportunity to read the documents and ask any questions regarding them,” the five-judge said. “He chose not to do so, not once, but twice.”
So now the entire empire will be split between Devon and Steven when they turn 45. Keiko, 59, will oversee the assets, but she must act in the best interest of her stepkids, the judges ruled.
Her attorney did not return messages.