Heiress Lost Fortune in Divorce to 'Win'

Vanderbilt heiress Belle Burden shared her experience of a bitter divorce where her ex-husband, hedge fund executive Henry Davis, allegedly aimed solely to "win." Burden, a former lawyer and author, detailed in her memoir, "Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage," how Davis pursued maximum financial gain.

Burden had quit her career to raise their three children and used her trust funds to purchase their New York City apartment and Martha's Vineyard home. Prior to their wedding, Davis successfully altered their prenup, ensuring separate assets were not divided, while joint assets would be split evenly.

This modification placed Burden in a vulnerable position, as she had emptied her trust funds and could not afford to buy out Davis's share of their homes. She recounted how Davis's behavior shifted dramatically after she learned of his affair in March 2020, leading to his demand for a divorce.

Despite the prenup's disadvantageous terms for Burden, she attempted a counterclaim during divorce proceedings in 2021. A judge dismissed this counterclaim, enforcing the original prenup. This angered Davis, who then threatened to provide only minimum child support.

In October 2021, shortly before a scheduled trial, a settlement was brokered. Davis relinquished his claim to the two properties and agreed to child support and educational expenses. However, he retained all the wealth he had accumulated during their marriage.