Linda Evangelista Francois-Henri Pinault Custody Battle Turns Ugly
Supermodel Linda Evangelista has embroiled herself in a vicious battle over child support with the father of her 5-year-old son, billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault.
The Frenchman and fashion CEO, who is now married to actress Salma Hayek, faced Evangelista in court in New York City Thursday.
Evangelista, 46, gave birth to son, Augustin, after her brief relationship with Pinault had ended. Last year, the model sought $46,000 a month in child support from the businessman. She has since decided to take Pinault to court after private child-support negotiations failed.
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"I didn't even know her very much," said Pinault during the hearing Thursday, according to Reuters. He explained that the pregnancy surprised him and while he was not in the position to father the child, he would respect her decision.
"She told me that if I didn't want to be involved in raising the kid or stay together and be parents together, she would understand, and she will take care of the kid," said Pinault recounting his experience with Evangelista. "I told her that I would recognize the baby … and I will take my responsibility."
He also testified about the first time Evangelista requested child support in 2007.
"I asked, 'What do you have in mind,'" said Pinault. "I received a demand. It was not reasonable, I made a counterproposal."
William Beslow, Evangelista's attorney, claimed that Pinault is worth over $3 billion and that the figure Evangelista requested for child support is acceptable.
Pinault's attorney David Aronson pointed out that while Pinault is very wealthy, Evangelista also lives comfortable as her average income is 1.8 million for the four years leading up to her filing for support in 2010.
The child-support trial is expected to last several days and will conclude when a surrogate judge decides the amount due to Evangelista.
Augustin is Evangelista's only child, while Pinault has two children from a previous marriage as well as a third child by Hayek.
Evangelista is well known for her modeling career which includes a campaign for L'Oreal.
Pinault is the chief executive of PPR, a company that that owns Gucci, Yves St. Laurent, and other luxury brands.
