You must have heard about prenuptial arrangements between well-heeled couples. Before the dotted lines are signed by intending couples, their lawyers get together to hash up financial dealings in case of marriage breakup.
Football stars, film icons, IT czars, big time politicians, top athletes, media moguls, and royalty have knocked out strong and tight prenups before walking down the aisle.
This is their way of avoiding scary stories that touch the hearts, minds and pockets.
Take Jeff Bezos, who is the richest guy in the world right now. He will be tying the knot with Lauren Sanchez this weekend in Venice, Italy. It’s both their second attempts at marriage. The wedding ceremony has been postponed several times on occasion of disputes over financial matters. Both are billionaires in their own right, with the latter earning her stripes through her last marriage.
Finally, we’re told everything has been sorted out by lawyers and the lavish wedding ceremony will finally take place this weekend. Right in the presence of fellow billionaire friends like Oprah, Kim Kardashian, Ivanka Trump, Orlando Bloom and others.
Recently too, a wealthy African was taken to the cleaners by his American showbiz wife. The marriage is as young as two years, no children, but she has walked away with a Rolls Royce, $40,000 monthly allowance for the duration of the marriage, free accommodation, 50% mortgage cost of the house that they lived in while married.
As the guy put it, he was targeted and preyed upon for his wealth by his ex-wife as there was no conflict in the marriage.
If there’s prenuptial arrangements before marriage, how can one describe what takes place when a billionaire passes on before his wife.
One such scenario happened recently when these wishes were penned in a will by a departed spouse.
Just imagine this scene: An older business mogul had just passed on. A year after, his will was unveiled to his loved ones. He lovingly bequeathed generous assets and business projects to his younger widow and older children. He however gave a quirky provision to his wife, now widow.
According to the document, the widow was told all these are yours as long as you remain within the family to raise our young sons. Otherwise these goodies will be withdrawn if you consider remarriage and leave the family.
My question really is has marriage become transactional when contracted between two individuals? Where does old fashioned love fit in these situations?
Please join this conversation by answering these questions:
Will you consider a prenup arrangement or a post marriage statement in your will?
Can marriage still be a traditional institution devoid of marital squabbles about financial matters? Can it revert to ‘for richer or poorer, till death do us part’? Has the age of innocence disappeared totally in marriage?
Let’s have your comments and feedback on this and other topics.
Please send your comments to mooborscounsellingroom@gmail.com
By Mubo Okosun
Women’s Editor
