Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned — especially if the woman is the longtime wife of a billionaire real estate investor.
After a three-year legal battle, Shelly Sterling, the wife of former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, succeeded in reclaiming $2.6 million worth of gifts that her husband gave to a former mistress.
A California appeals court ruled Thursday that the gifts — which include a $1.8 million house, $400,000 worth of cars, and $400,000 in cash — are part of the community assets of the Sterling marriage and that they were bestowed upon the mistress without Shelly’s permission, Law360 reported.
After a falling out with Donald, his ex-mistress, V. Stiviano, released recordings of Donald making racist comments. The backlash led to Donald’s ban from the NBA, and he was forced to sell the Clippers and pay a $2.5 million fine.
Shelly and Donald were headed for divorce, but called it off in March 2016.
Shelly’s attorney Pierce O’Donnell told Law360 the case will help other women in similar situations.
“I hope [Stiviano] slinks back into the shadows from which she came,” he said.
Donald is worth an estimated $3.5 billion, with significant multifamily holdings on the Westside and Koreatown, as well as the Beverly Hills Plaza Hotel.
Shelly isn’t the only wife scorned by a powerful real estate figure. Linda Macklowe, New York developer Harry Macklowe’s wife of 57 years, is challenging him to make good on his promise of a $1 billion divorce settlement. [Law360] — Cathaleen Chen