The party is over for flashy Veronica and her cigar-chomping hubby
IT ALL began so, so well – with a truly spectacular wedding attended by their close pals Princess Beatrice and the Duchess of York.
But now I can reveal that Hong Kong socialite Veronica Chou is set to divorce her husband, Russian businessman Evgeny Klyucharev, after seven years of marriage.
The flashy couple have endured a rocky patch for two years, since their chauffeur threatened to expose Evgeny’s seedy extramarital sex life when the pair accused him of stealing a £167,000 diamond ring. Several stints in rehab followed as Evgeny tried to conquer his demons and save the relationship.
But when I spied them having lunch on separate tables at Annabel’s club last week, it was clear their marriage will never be salvaged. The pair shot each other terrible looks and Veronica appeared to be uncomfortable being in the same room as him.
She is now living in their vast West London home with their twin sons, having booted out cigar-loving Evgeny. He is often found in Mayfair private members’ clubs, but is said to be relatively penniless now.
About 1,500 guests attended their ostentatious ‘East Meets West’ wedding in Hong Kong in 2012. Tables were decorated with Ming vases and Russian dolls, and a mock Russian palace was built for a Cirque du Soleil performance.
Veronica’s father is billionaire fashion tycoon Silas Chou.
Friends say Evgeny is desperate to get his hands on some of her fortune, but suspect he may be blocked by a pre-nup deal.