Benussi Blog

Marco Pierre White and his wife Mati are said to have run up an estimated £3 million in legal bills in their long-running and acrimonious attempt to end their marriage.

While this is a huge amount of money, it’s a relatively modest sum compared to the value of Marco’s business empire, which is thought to be about £50 million. A divorce, after 17 years and three children together, could cost the Michelin-starred chef up to £25 million – half his fortune.

But this week it was reported that after 20 court hearings over three years, the couple are reconciled and have abandoned their divorce plans.

“After spending a fabulous Christmas together, all divorce proceedings are withdrawn,” a legal source was quoted as saying.

Friends have apparently said that providing stability for the children has been the driving force in bringing the fiery couple together again, but there is also speculation that the prospect of having to part with so much of his fortune concentrated the chef’s mind on repairing his marriage.

Whatever the reason behind it, the Whites’ reconciliation is proof that even the most volatile and seemingly irreparable relationship can be salvaged.

Money is often a major factor in couples abandoning their divorce plans and deciding, instead, to try to reignite their marriage. At Benussi & Co we always point out to clients how much of their financial assets they face losing if they go ahead with the divorce.

For many people, such as entrepreneurs who have built up successful enterprises, the prospect of having to sell or scale back the business is a reason to stay married.

This might sound mercenary, but it is always wise – if you’re contemplating divorce – to think as much about what you stand to lose as what you might gain.

Gaining your “freedom” might sound alluring – and it can be hugely rejuvenating – but if that freedom is going to be severely curtailed by the loss of financial assets, it is worth considering if the cost is too high.

The other major factor in couples opting to give their marriages a second go is, of course, children. Marco Pierre White and his wife won’t, I’m sure, be the only couple for whom Christmas brought home the importance of family togetherness.

It can sometimes take a while for the practical ramifications of divorce to sink in – such as only seeing your children every other weekend or having one child live with Mum and the other with Dad, maybe on the opposite side of the country.

So, if you and your partner are thinking about splitting up, but have even the slightest doubt about doing so, my advice is that you think long and hard before calling time on your marriage. And, don’t forget, you can always make an appointment to see a dedicated matrimonial lawyer to talk over your concerns – and what you stand to lose.