Brinkley settles divorce case

Updated 06.53 Fri Jul 11 2008
Keywords: settlement, Christie Brinkley, divorce

Former supermodel Christie Brinkley's sensational divorce to her fourth husband has ended abruptly with a settlement.

Brinkley, 54, was married to architect, Peter Cook, 49, for a decade before his affair with a teenager catapulted their troubles into the spotlight in 2006.

"I think a mother's greatest fear is somebody trying to take her children, trying to take custody of her children and that's what I was up against" former supermodel Christie Brinkley

The trial revealed a litany of salacious allegations about Cook's affair with Diana Bianchi, who was 18 at the time, as well as interactive internet sex liaisons that cost him thousands of dollars a month.

Cook testified he gave Bianchi a £150,000 payoff after having trysts with her in his office and Brinkley's Hamptons homes for several months in 2005.

Brinkley's spokeswoman Amy Jacobs said: "After five days of trial and for the sake of their children, Christie Brinkley and Peter Cook have reached an agreement."

The agreement awarded Brinkley full custody of her two children and gave Peter Cook a financial settlement of over a £1 million as well as "parenting time." Brinkley will also retain all of the couple's properties.

Before a mass of reporters, Brinkley described the ordeal as "bittersweet" and explained her dismay at the thought of losing her children.

"I think a mother's greatest fear is somebody trying to take her children, trying to take custody of her children and that's what I was up against and so, I've won custody and decision making and that's really all I've ever wanted."

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