Ex-wife has to settle for £25m in divorce

A WIFE was awarded £25million of her ex-husband’s £300million fortune in a High Court battle after she asked for more than £50 million, including £24,000 for shoes.

Talal Al Zawawi, 48, owned about 15 per cent of an Omani business worth more than £2billion, Mr Justice Holman heard.

Leila Hammoud, 36, his ex-wife – who grew up in Lebanon but now lives in London – said she had shared a “palace” in Oman with Mr Al Zawawi and enjoyed a lavish lifestyle during a 12year marriage.

She said she needed £400,000 a year for holidays for her and their three children, more than £60,000 a year to buy jewellery, more than £60,000 a year “pocket money”, £60,000 a year for “spectator events” and £24,000 a year to buy shoes.

However, Mr Justice Holman concluded that about £21 million would meet her needs and about £3million the children’s needs.

He said his calculations included more than £5million for a house and £75,000 for a car.

The judge outlined his decision in a ruling yesterday after analysing evidence at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London, and said Mr Al Zawawi had divorced Ms Hammoud in Oman two years ago – when they had a home in London.

He said that under Omani law, Ms Hammoud would get no financial provision.

The judge said it was right that she should make a cash claim in England.

He said Mr Al Zawawi owned about a sixth of the Zawawi Group, which is involved in businesses including banking, construction and tourism.

Mr Al Zawawi had inherited his share from his late father, Qais Bin Abdulmunim Al Zawawi, an Omani politician and businessman.

Mr Justice Holman told how Ms Hammoud had been sent an email by Mr Al Zawawi’s personal assistant shortly before they separated in 2017.

It began, “Dear Madam, Greetings!!!” and was marked “FYI”.

“Mr Talal Al Zawawi has instructed us to cancel all your transactions/loans from next month onwards until further notification,” it said. “Thanks and warm regards.”