LONDON, CMC – A British court Friday awarded an American model 53 million pounds (One British pound =US$1.29 cents) in a divorce settlement with a wealthy Saudi businessman, who also served as St. Lucia’s ambassador to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Christina Estrada went to The High Court in London after Dr. WalidJuffali took a second wife and divorced her under Islamic law in 2014.
The ex-wife had sought 196 million pounds to meet her “reasonable needs” including one million pounds annually for clothes.
After a five-day hearing, Justice Jennifer Roberts gave her a lesser sum, but her lawyers say they are satisfied with the ruling.
In February, the then Kenny Anthony government in St. Lucia denied a request by Britain for Castries to remove the diplomatic status of the Saudi billionaire and earlier this year, a British High Court judge rejected a claim of diplomatic immunity from Juffali and gave the former wife the right to sue him here for support.
The new St. Lucia government of Prime Minister Allen Chastanet had, when in opposition been very critical of Juffali’s appointment.
Estrada, 54, who lives in Britain, said “the spectacular life Walid and I led was immensely fortunate and rarefied. I fully understand how this can be perceived in the wider world,” she said.
Her claim included a request for 40,000 pounds toward fur coats and 21,000 pounds for shoes every year.
The former Pirelli calendar model argued that she was entitled to an amount which would allow her to maintain her ultra-wealthy lifestyle, five cars and luxury homes in London and Beverly Hills.
Juffali, who is 61 and suffering from terminal cancer, said in a written statement that his wealth amounts to 113.8 million pounds, not the billions estimated by Estrada’s lawyers. He added that he was planning to leave his fortune to his children, including his teenage daughter with Estrada.
Juffali was ordered to pay the full amount by July 29.