In a jaw-dropping twist, hedge fund magnate John Paulson is accusing his estranged wife Jenny Zaharia of attempting to ‘rob’ their daughters of a whopping $2 billion inheritance. As Paulson moves on with a fiancée half his age, the already bitter three-year divorce battle escalates to new heights of ugliness. This high-stakes drama unfolds against the backdrop of immense wealth and personal vendettas, showcasing the darker side of high-society relationships. The clash between love, money, and power takes center stage in this real-life soap opera that leaves everyone wondering: how far will they go?
Paulson’s decision to move on with a fiancée half his age has further escalated tensions in this high-profile case. The public scrutiny surrounding the situation has only intensified as each development unfolds.
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Amidst the emotional turmoil and sensational headlines, legal maneuvers have become central to this bitter battle. Both parties are employing top-tier legal representation to navigate the complex web of financial assets and personal interests at stake.
Paulson, who is worth $4.7billion, moved on with dietician Alina De Almeida shortly after splitting with Jenny, and recently hit the headlines for hosting a Trump fundraiser at his $110million mansion – where his 35-year-old fiancée showcased her massive new sparkler.
Lawyers for Paulson, who filed for divorce in 2021, told DailyMail.com that the mogul offered to settle the case and ‘remove future spouses and children as trust beneficiaries’, as well as ‘hundreds of millions of dollars’, which was rejected by his wife.
A new document obtained by DailyMail.com show a letter from JP Morgan addressed to Jenny referencing the trust – as lawyers for Paulson say it’s proof that she knew of its existence.
The letter, from 2006, 18 months after the birth of their second daughter Giselle informed Jenny that she must sign several papers for their two daughters as they were minors at the time.
Paulson’s team also estimate that his is estranged wife is to win the case she would wipe out $1billion from the trust – cutting it in half – adding it is ‘just to increase her divorce settlement.’
Paulson told DailyMail.com: ‘The trusts were prudently formed decades ago to provide for our children.
‘There was no fraud, no stealing, no siphoning, no hiding. Jenny was fully aware of the Trusts since they were formed.
‘JPMorgan, as the trustee, have notified her of the trusts since 2006. She signed tax returns every year since their formation, evidencing the trusts. Representatives from JPMorgan were available to consult with Jenny at all times.’
They added that his estranged wife was offered ‘hundreds of millions of dollars’ to settle out of court, and revealed that Paulson offered to ‘remove future spouses and children as trust beneficiaries.’
James Smith, counsel for Paulson, told DailyMail.com: ‘She outright rejected the offer. Thus, her argument that she is opening the trusts to protect her children is absolutely false.
‘Her attempt to break the trusts will cost her daughters about $1 billion in future taxes and rob them of their inheritance, just to increase her divorce settlement.
‘For someone who will be one of the richest women in America regardless of how this case ends, her greed is unconscionable.’
But Jenny’s lawyers deny that the settlement was offered to her with the removal of future children and spouses from the trust.
Robert Cohen told DailyMail.com: ‘I ask Mr. Paulson and his attorney, respectfully: Put your offer in writing, in the form of a court-filed public stipulation, so we know Mr. Paulson is serious and will be bound by it, and then we can proceed.
‘Mr Paulson conveniently omits the offer we did make to him – to “decant” or recreate the trusts so that there will be no adverse tax consequences.
‘Why did he omit that proposal we made? Why has he not responded to that proposal? We ask him now, on the record: Yes or no.
Her team denies that she was aware of the trusts, adding that she ‘believes in this case being decided in a public trial, under the rule of law and due process’.
Amid the bitter divorce Paulson’s team claims that he is ‘fighting to protect’ his daughters and ‘safeguard their future’.
It is claimed that there are concerns that the girls will have their portion of the trusts ‘diluted’, if Paulson has any more children with his new fiancée.
Two of the three trusts contain language that benefits ‘Paulson’s legal wife,’ meaning that Jenny will be deprived of the assets upon divorce, court papers show.
Romania-born Jenny, who spent 21 years married to Paulson after meeting him and working as his secretary, has denied all claims that she is acting out of greed.
Legal filings previously branded her as ‘greedy’, with her lawyers hitting back and claiming his alleged siphoning of funds into secret trusts is the ‘ultimate example of spousal abuse’.
Sources close to Jenny told DailyMail.com that she and her daughters are ‘like one person’, and her lawyers previously denied that she is trying to take any money from them.
After delving into the drama-filled world of hedge fund magnate John Paulson’s divorce saga, it’s clear that this battle is heating up faster than a hot stock tip. From accusations of inheritance theft to new relationships blooming amidst the chaos, this situation is juicier than a ripe apple in an orchard. The financial stakes are high, the tensions are higher, and the drama is at its peak – it’s like a reality show, but with more money and fewer rose ceremonies.
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