A FORMER manager of rockers INXS has won a bitter court fight to halt a £1.2million payout to her ex-SAS husband.
Maria-Christina Copinger-Symes, 54, agreed to pay the sum after her marriage collapsed in 2022.
3
3
But the settlement was quashed by a court yesterday after it emerged her super-rich family had secretly gifted him £27.6million.
And now the businesswoman is demanding half of Major James Copinger-Symes’ new-found fortune.
The couple married in 1998 and lived with their four children in a £3million home in Chelsea, West London.
When they split in 2022, Ms Copinger-Symes — the European manager for Never Tear Us Apart hitmakers INXS — agreed to pay £1.2million.
But she failed to cough up and was ordered to return to court in 2023.
It then emerged her estranged parents, shipping magnates Bobby and Felicite Perez De La Sala, had sided with her husband, 57.
Judge Edward Hess told the Central Family Court: “This is very much an exception to the normal rule that blood is thicker than water.”
But the judge backed Ms Copinger-Symes, saying her ex knew he was getting the money before signing the settlement as he was looking at luxury homes to buy.
The case will return to court later this year when he is pursued by his ex for £14million.
Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.
3
