A tumultuous divorce battle is unfolding in London's High Court between American property tycoon Angelique Brunner and her former wife, British actress Thea Bartok. The case centers on the division of Brunner's estimated £225 million fortune, with Bartok's legal team accusing Brunner of attempting to use her wealth to control and disadvantage her estranged spouse.
Brunner, who amassed her fortune through her real estate investment company EB5 Capital, is described by Bartok's lawyers as a "fabulously wealthy woman who is gaming the system." They allege a pattern of manipulation and a "catch-me-if-you-can" approach to legal proceedings, aimed at ensuring Bartok receives nothing from the marital assets. Bartok's barrister characterized the dispute as a "big money case" between the "fabulously wealthy Angel and her poor (in every sense) bride, Thea."
The couple met in 2019 at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Despite a 20-year age difference and Bartok being married at the time, they began a relationship. Bartok, originally from Hungary, was living in a rented flat in London and was soon integrated into Brunner's lavish lifestyle, which included travel on private jets and visits to the White House. They became engaged in July 2019 and married in Hawaii, though this marriage was later found to be invalid as Bartok's previous divorce was not finalized. They attempted a second ceremony in Florida, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and finally married in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, on July 30, 2020.
Critical to the current legal dispute is a pre-nuptial agreement signed just 24 hours before their Colorado wedding. Bartok alleges she was under "immense pressure" to sign the agreement, which stipulated no financial provision or asset sharing in case of divorce. She claims she agreed due to her visa nearing expiration and a desire to remain with Brunner. Bartok's legal team contends that Brunner, a dominant force in the negotiation, pressured her into accepting terms that would leave her with nothing.
Brunner, who was born into poverty and is an Ivy League graduate, built her business empire from scratch. Her company, EB5 Capital, revitalized blighted neighborhoods in Washington D.C. and created thousands of jobs. Her success has drawn attention, including a Presidential Lifetime Achievement award during the Biden administration, though her industry, which involves wealthy foreigners investing in U.S. businesses for green cards, is controversial. Critics argue the EB-5 visa scheme is often abused and finances luxury projects rather than benefiting areas in need.
Bartok's legal team argues the divorce case should be heard in the UK, where the couple lived, asserting that Brunner's connection to Florida, where she filed for divorce, is tenuous. They accuse her of being a "forum shopper," seeking out jurisdictions with divorce laws least likely to result in a significant division of her wealth. Florida, which abolished permanent alimony in 2023, and its "equitable distribution" laws are seen as more favorable to Brunner than the U.K.'s presumption of equal asset sharing.
Brunner has been accused of "wholesale non-compliance" with U.K. court orders, including failing to pay maintenance to Bartok and her own legal expenses, leading to a contempt of court ruling. She has reportedly stopped instructing lawyers and has not attended hearings. Bartok faces potential eviction from her west London home, with her lawyers arguing Brunner's actions are "despicable behavior."