They say you can't have too much of a good thing, but try telling that to the husband who's divorcing Britain's wealthiest female entrepreneur.
Former maths teacher Tony Hawken, 57, is splitting from Xiu Li, 51, because he says he is fed up with being wealthy.
The couple were catapulted into the world of the super-rich after Li's idea of building shopping centres in disused Chinese air-raid shelters earned her an estimated £1.1billion by 2011 and placed her on The Sunday Times Rich List.
The pair traded up their semi-detached home in South Norwood, London, and bought a £1.5million house in Surrey.
Li, who is now worth $1.2billion (£700million) according to Forbes, quickly settled into a life which included sipping a £900 bottle of wine on a luxurious yacht.
However, Mr Hawken says he felt more comfortable getting lunch in his local Wetherspoon's.
Despite his sudden wealth he continued to buy books from charity shops, and shunned designer clothes.
In an interview with The Times, he said: 'I think it made me uncomfortable because I'm not in the habit, I don't like spending lots of money — I've been brought up that way.
'Until recently I was never a wealthy person. I've been moderately comfortable because I have been careful with my money.'
Now the couple have decided to part, Mr Hawken will walk away with just £1million, but says it will be enough for him.
He added: 'I have got a settlement which is not great, but it's enough for me because I don't have an extravagant lifestyle. I won't have to work if I'm careful.'
'I'm getting a pittance when you consider her potential wealth, but I don't really want to fight it.'
Mr Hawken met Li on a blind date while he was still a teacher and she was studying English.
The couple married, but as Li's business took off the couple spent more and more time apart. Mr Hawken says the couple have spent most of the relationship apart.
Far from driving them apart, Mr Hawken believes the distance kept them together, and says they would have divorced a long time ago if they were under the same roof.
Mr Hawken says his only regret is not getting a divorce sooner, but he didn't push for it over fears it would affect the couple's teenage son William, now 17.
Mr Hawken no longer teaches full-time, but instead gives free tuition to under-privileged children.
Li owns 22 shopping centres and is president of football team Guizhou Renhe, who are third in the Chinese Super League.....Dailymail
*one mans meat is really another mans poison!
Inferiority complex is surely a deadly disease....
ReplyDeleteGod punish devil and poverty......
Women empowerment all the way dear Ma!!!
@i_ChoPtas_Not
Loll!
DeleteTrue!
I nor fit laff
Delete64 yrs Old man who has not slept for 30yrs
Justporsh, how u De? Pls update your b log. Nice posts by d way
DeleteHe is so foolish for wanting divorce, thr are other ways he wld v handled this n not running away from his responsibility. Mk he com nija com c hungry guys who no mind gvn thr arm to be in his shoe mtcheew.
ReplyDeleteWhat an odd pair. These whites will always have a reason tp split.
DeleteMadness...
ReplyDeleteMr Hawken's type is rare. What a humble guy, not moved by riches and wealth.
ReplyDeleteInfact I don't think he is a human being. Maybe an angel. Cos majority in the world works their ass out to be billoniares, women will do anytn to be wives of billionaires...to find one who is not interested in all of this billions? Mehn........Rare!
Rare indeed
DeleteAyeeee #in davido's voice
DeleteWoow well he gave a sane reason for the divorce wish him well.
ReplyDeleteOmo dem D̶̲̥̅̊ε̲̣γ̲̣̣̥ Winch dis guy from Village.
ReplyDeleteWow! He has said his mind! Some people love poverty , they are willing to live and die poor! Oturugbeke! Woman give him his wish! My only fear is that while u give him the divorce he asked for, you will also be giving him a huge percentage of your wealth.
ReplyDeleteRead the story again.
Deletea very good example of "he no want Ferrari , he no want designers....
ReplyDeletepipi Lee
Why did he collect the money in the first place? £1m is pittance? Different strokes for differnt folks anyways
ReplyDeleteThank u,I thought I was d only one who noticed that.he should have walked away with nothing let's know......lies
DeleteHe probably couldn't get anything from her as that was d reason for his divorce,so he's still taking advantage of money as he could afford to teach for free.
The man is not comfortable with her being d financial leader that's all.
Can she pls adopt mi??? Legally oooo
ReplyDeleteI can relate to this man,I was born with d proverbial silverspoon and as a kid with access to a lot of money I saw early on how far pple'd go to get some of it;pretend,cheat,lie,backstab etc.Now I'm 40 with a super-hefty inheritance that I'm avoiding.You can imagine all the names I've been called I.e mad,cursed,living dead etc in this Nigeria.I'm at peace with myself and I want to make heaven(most important) but I believe the inheritance'll prove a major stumbling block to my heavenly pursuit
ReplyDeleteI like u no doubt but let your pastor not tell u to give it to the church or him,kindly donate it to charity as people are in need instead of letting it lie around for people to plan your murder
DeleteCoughs# ibelieveyou
Delete@Dayo, I see you. #preach#
Delete@anon 4:07,I believe in God not a pastor and I do charity work with what I've earned myself...thanks for the advice.
Delete@nwanyieze,I don't know u so I need not justify anything to you
I still believe u
DeleteCarry go
Lol
@Porsh,LS?
Delete@soledayo pls I jus need a job with ur connections. Thank you!
Delete@confessor,my connections may get you an interview/s;ultimately your qualification/communication skills're what'll get you a job.
DeletePorn foto specialist soledayo
DeleteLmao @ confessor. But all these oyinbo ppl sef. I trust my naija men, dem nor dey carry last. Musings of a busy body on omalichaspeaks.blogspot.com
Delete@soledayo, I like you already not for you money but for your calculated replies. @confessor take the interviews if u know you can have your results and can defend it
DeleteHian! Na wa for people o. I trust my Nigeria or African men, that is when they will die there....lol. I see him point tho, but c'mon, who does that? If God comes down to bless some people, they won't even see it. Funny.
ReplyDeleteNA WAOOOOOOOOOO
ReplyDeleteAll I see is 2 persons who realise they are incompatible and mutually decide to separate,thats how it should be done...theres nothing wrong with enjoying the finest things of life,the man is a humanist and I hope he finds his better half soon.
ReplyDeleteDis man never know wetin dey do am, mtcheww
ReplyDeleteThis man has issues. Anyways if am that rich, I really don't need a husband. What can he possibly give me that my money can't buy.
ReplyDeleteCeeCee
Money can't buy happiness
Delete@anon 3;04,
DeleteAm sure u don't believe that
Try cuddling your money at night ceecee
DeleteMnwanyieze u obviously grew up in deep poverty to to you money is a panacea to all your problems..... Sorry dear he or she is right
Deletemumu man....chai leave am for igbo boys
ReplyDeleteAnd apart from igbo boys no other like money abi? Okoko.
Deletemy kind of man.
ReplyDeleteNa wa o. Speechless. Absolutely speechless
ReplyDeleteWhite people are simple in nature, the man just want his normal life back. Even after divorce he will still have loads of cash to his name, I hope he won't WILL his money to dog and cat as they do. Maybe as formal maths teacher he might not be mentally ok. Maths,chemistry,physics can make one mentally unstable when you are deep into it.
ReplyDeleteHmmm,feels like something the former me would do, I used to pray that God should make me very comfortable, maybe a little bit rich , but not too rich, the kind of weath that won't control me or change my person, but lately I change prayer points.
ReplyDeleteChanged prayer point to what?lol
DeleteThat is serious! Divorce because your partner is too rich?!..Ha!..
ReplyDeleteThat is serious! Divorce because your partner is too rich?!..Ha!..
ReplyDeleteOgun idile!
ReplyDeleteGenerational curse!
u werent brot up to spend money!
So u cant learn?
Well I trust naija men,
Dey cn turn to mumu cos of mony.
Monkey go really go market come out as fowl.i don't know when this people will learn to keep away from wild animals .
ReplyDeleteHow far, are we commenting on the same story? I beg scroll up.
Deletena wao; Naija man can never divorce his wife for being too rich o, instead He will kill her to have it all for himself.....ROTFL. Such a simple man, Dis type naim warri pipo go call money miss road.
ReplyDeleteShoo!! Nawa o
ReplyDeleteHehehehe... Over to my people o.
ReplyDeleteOrishirishi. Nekwanu Ego ana achoacho bikowa!! What a humble man with a good and humble background na wahoo. Hope the woman was not intimidating the man in any way. Madam I have a brother that will fit you if you dont mind to go on another blind date again.
ReplyDeleteIf na naija man... Divorce fire. Na there e go die put o.
ReplyDeleteChei, let mi borrow stella chair and read comment
ReplyDeletedifferent strokes for diff folk§!
ReplyDeleteIndeed it is, to each his own. I don't blame the man cos really and truly, once our basic life needs are taken care of, the rest is just indulgence.
ReplyDeleteClick my name for all your celebration cakes n cupcakes, Cheers
Omg! What a dignified man!! God bless you. As for the woman, really?! Just 1million pounds????? Common! Anyway, it's becos you know he won't push it.
ReplyDeleteEya! See money wahala. why some of us dey desperately find the thing, others dey desperately run from am,hmmm.
ReplyDeleteAnyway money can't buy happiness and the bobo no hapi at all.
Who says money cant buy hapinness(e possible may person dey chop peanut flavour izcrim com dey spoil face?)
DeleteYou dont just know where to shop biko.
If I hear...say Solomon Akiyesi go jump this kind opportunity pass. Hehehehehehe. Solomon, abeg help the poor woman out naa.
ReplyDeleteLool
DeleteShut up my friend! Why do u have to mention his name in this matter? Some of u just comment with ur anus,why?
DeleteOr mr Alakija?Instead make he divorce he go take maiden name I.e mr ogbara (nee alakija)
Deletei lived in d uk for almost 2 years and i know this is how real uk citizens live,they are not greedy at all...they dont even shop d way foreigners do and some of themm r really wealthy,so far as they can get into their pub...they r ok..so i get where d man is coming from..u can hardly see a real uk citizen owning more than 1 car.abeg i prefer their way of life cuz it makes d society work.
ReplyDeleteAnon 4:49, you shut up there! Why won't she mention his name? No be Wetin he go do before? Shior!
ReplyDeleteNigerians and backward ways of thinking....can't u people read and deduce anything? All you think about is money and how the man is a fool.....money cannot buy happiness.....he is not happy and it's obvious they have grown apart.......he spends time teaching without pay and u fools cannot still get his kind of person......this mentality you all have is why your leaders will continue to be corrupt and not do things for the general good....
ReplyDeleteAnon 6:45pm, God bless u.
Deleteu the only one with the correct brain here, the others think and comment with their anus
Of course they are beginning to have marital problems and I guess it's as a result of too much money and the woman becoming full of herself. Some people will exchange anything just to have peace and I believe that's y dis man took that cash n said it's a pittance but he doesn't mind. Peace of mind is key!
ReplyDelete1 million pounds pittance? haha.
ReplyDeleteHe should have asked for 50,000 or nothing sef.
In Jesus name i bind the devil.....which kain poverty mentality be this? Life is in phases and men are in sizes; so he could not move into the wealthy phase ko? all da best ooooo.
ReplyDeleteBlessed are the poor in spirit,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!
ReplyDeletechooo see matter
ReplyDeleteThe man is not happy period!. No amount of money can ever buy genuine happiness.
ReplyDeleteNa wa.....make he com experience naija poverty small....he go change mind sharp sharp....well,,to each his own jare....
ReplyDelete@sola dayo Please I need the connections and I believe I can handle the interview.Please do help.Any means I can forward my cv?thanks
ReplyDeleteSend me an email stating what course you studied,where and what you graduated with.It's based on this info that I'll give you the email address to fwd your CV to and I'll follow it up from there.
DeleteMy email's daddyl0ngstrok3@gmail.com.
Hmmm, somehow I dont believe the guy is actually divorcing her cos she has too much money, rather, I think its a case of NOT HAVING ACCESS to any of her money that is pissing him off!
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing SHE wanted the divorce but didnt want the tabloids to have a field day with the story that she divorced her 'poor husband' cos she was now a wealthy woman. So what any smart lawyer will suggest to her(and im sure she has lots of them on retainer) his to ask HIM to file for the divorce with an agreement as to a sum in settlement (in this case, a miserly 1m) and i bet a non-disclosure clause. Happens all the time in the legal world when you have a self made woman with an excuse of a man for a husband (forgive my expression).
If he were such an 'honorable' man then he should have left without a penny and with his pride intact.Imagine he even had the guts to complain that he was getting a pittance considering her enormous wealth but he "chose not to fight it". This tells you dat the guy likes money joor! Who he wan deceive?
As for you Mr. Soledayo with the "super-hefty inheritance that he is avoiding", I think I speak on behalf of the rest of us whose fathers did not leave any inheritance that please, if you do not know what to do with yours, kindly ask us to forward our account details and we'd do so pronto! loll
Hmmm, somehow I dont believe the guy is actually divorcing her cos she has too much money, rather, I think its a case of NOT HAVING ACCESS to any of her money that is pissing him off!
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing SHE wanted the divorce but didnt want the tabloids to have a field day with the story that she divorced her 'poor husband' cos she was now a wealthy woman. So what any smart lawyer will suggest to her(and im sure she has lots of them on retainer) his to ask HIM to file for the divorce with an agreement as to a sum in settlement (in this case, a miserly 1m) and i bet a non-disclosure clause. Happens all the time in the legal world when you have a self made woman with an excuse of a man for a husband (forgive my expression).
If he were such an 'honorable' man then he should have left without a penny and with his pride intact.Imagine he even had the guts to complain that he was getting a pittance considering her enormous wealth but he "chose not to fight it". This tells you dat the guy likes money joor! Who he wan deceive?
Mr. Soledayo with the "super-hefty inheritance that he is avoiding", I think I speak for the rest of us blog visitors whose fathers did not leave any inheritance when I say 'please, if you do not know what to do with yours, kindly ask us to forward our account details and we'd do so pronto!' loll
Liar! If this man hated wealth so much he should not even have accepted a monetary divorce settlement, yet he is complaining about the size of the settlement, then taking sideways again. He likely could not handle living with a very wealthy and powerful woman, and that is what caused all the angst. At least she created something that will be left for her future generations. Hopefully she will get a better man now.
ReplyDelete