HOW DEAR SUCH BITTER PARTING
A SPLIT between a Russian billionaire and darling of the art world was never going to involve small change.
But Chelsea football club owner Roman Abramovich and wife, gallerist and fashion editor Dasha Zhukova, are set to raise eyebrows with a settlement that could involve billions.
Mr Abramovich and Ms Zhukova said they had separated after a decade.
“After 10 years together, the two of us have made the difficult decision to separate, but we remain close friends, parents, and partners in the projects we developedd together,” they said. “We are committed to jointly raising our two children. ”
He is estimated to be worth $11.7 billion and is famous for his high-profile assets, including Chelsea.
Ms Zhukova, 36, is the daughter of Russian oligarch Alexander Zhukov and has been lauded by the New York fashion and arts scene for her daring projects.
They married in secret nine years ago and have two children.
The split could be a costly enterprise for Mr Abramovich as Ms Zhukova is his third wife. He divorced Irina Malandina in 2007 after a 16-year marriage, the settlement reported to include $1.65 billion in what was described as the “world’s costliest divorce”.
His biographer, Chris Hutchins, said at the time he divorced Ms Malandina, the billionaire was told by close friend and Russian President Vladimir Putin to “get his act cleaned up”.
“He sees Abramovich as something of an ambassador and made it clear Abramovich should settle his personal affairs,” Hutchins said.