Tony Hawken, 57, is divorcing his wife Xiu Li, 51, Britain's wealthiest woman entrepreneur,
because he says he doesn't like being rich and is 'not in the habit' of spending lots of money
While most people will jump at the idea of marrying a billionaire, one man is divorcing one simply because
'he hates being rich.'The man, a 57 year old further maths teacher identified as Tony Hawken, is divorcing billionaire wife Xiu Li, 51, after being married for 21 years.
The couple became superfluously 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.
With their new status, 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, her husband the new lifestyle didn't rub off well o her hubby. Tony Hawken says he is more comfortable getting lunch at local eateries.
Despite his sudden wealth he continued to buy books from charity shops, and shunned designer clothes
In an interview, 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.'
This story is certainly not one one comes across often. To decline to live a life of wealth and affluence which most humans will kill for is nothing short of amazing.
source dailymail uk
source dailymail uk