The wife of Thierry Henry, the former Arsenal footballer, has been granted a divorce after four years of marriage on the grounds of his behaviour.
Claire Merry, a model, was granted a decree nisi at the Principal Registry of the High Court's Family Division amid speculation that Henry, 30, could face the biggest ever divorce payout for a footballer.
The French international has an estimated fortune of £25 million.
There has been speculation that Ms Merry, 27, is asking for a £10 million settlement.
Under British law, Henry could be forced to pay out half his wealth.
The couple, who have a two year-old daughter named Tea, met while filming a Renault Clio advert.
They shared a six-bedroom house in Hampstead, north London, which Henry bought for £5.95 million five years ago.
The footballer announced he was leaving Ms Merry in June, just before his transfer to Barcelona, where he is reportedly paid £130,000 a week.
His wife was said to be unhappy about moving to the Spanish city and upset when Henry walked out on their marriage.
Since then, the footballer is said to have developed a close friendship with a Spanish actress.
None of the parties was present yesterday as the divorce was rubber-stamped.
It will be at least six weeks before a decree absolute can be granted.
Experts have predicted that a judge could order a "clean break", with Ms Merry receiving a lump sum rather than a proportion of his future earnings.
She was granted a decree nisi on the grounds of his behaviour, according to court papers.
In documents made available after the divorce was granted, Ms Merry was asked whether Henry's behaviour had affected her health to which she replied that the question was "not applicable".
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