About Roman Abramovich

[Salameyti]

zisht

[Rasputin]

[Rasputin]

Roman Abramovich splits with Irina to be with Russian model

"Ira became different when she became rich," Vera reflected. "When she lived with us in a normal environment she wasn't like this." Yesterday Russian lawyers said that Mr Abramovich - who split from his first wife Olga in 1990 and married Irina in 1991 - had almost certainly signed a marital contract with his second wife.

Under Russian law, assets are normally split 50-50. But unlike in Britain, women do not have a claim on their ex-partner's future earnings, and also have to prove their ex-husband's wealth.

As well as demonstrating his patriotic credentials, Mr Abramovich's decision to divorce in Russia had almost certainly saved him billions of pounds, they said.

The 40-year-old billionaire is Britain's second richest man, and according to Forbes magazine the world's 16th richest person. He announced his divorce in a brief statement on Tuesday night, following earlier denials that his 16-year-old marriage was in trouble.

"Mr and Mrs Abramovich have divorced in Russia on a consensual basis and have agreed terms in respect of arrangements for their children and a financial settlement," the statement said, adding that the tycoon's interests including Chelsea FC were not affected.

The apparent $300m settlement is dwarfed by the $1.7bn that Rupert Murdoch, chief executive of US News Corp, paid his ex-wife Anna in 1999 after a 32-year marriage.