See you in court: Thierry Henry has hired top lawyers to
fight ex-wife Claire Merry's claim on his £10million
fortune.
Thierry Henry is facing a messy divorce battle after he
told his ex-wife to keep her hands off his cash. The formal Arsenal
striker warned Claire Merry her reported demands for $10m pound
were unrealistic and she should prepare for a tough time in
court.
Merry, 27, a former model, was granted a quickie divorce from
Henry, 30, last September after she found raunchy texts on his
phone and he went on dates with make-up artist Sadie Hewlett.
Merry and Henry, married for four years, met in 2001 while
filming a Renault Clio advert and have a twoyearold daughter,
Tea.
After the divorce was granted for his " unreasonable behaviour",
Merry, from Croydon, vowed to take the FC Barcelona star
- said to be worth £25million - to the cleaners.
She is demanding a settlement based on his earnings. It includes
money from his ad deals with Pringles and McDonald's and a cut of
the £5.9million marital home in Hampstead, North London.
In 2004, ex-wife of England and Arsenal star Ray Parlour won
maintenance amounting to more than a third of his future income. In
the initial settlement, Karen Parlour was given two mortgage-free
houses worth more than £1million and a £250,000 lump sum.
But she was told by the Court of Appeal her award of £250,000 a
year personal maintenance would go up to £406,500 and be reviewed
in four years.
Henry has hired London lawyers Mishcon de Reya, who represented
Princess Diana and Heather Mills in their divorce battles.
