A famous female football figure has won a dispute with her former husband, a millionaire in cryptocurrency, concerning their £7 million house during a difficult divorce.
Diane Culligan, aged 63, a well-known personality in women’s football, has been in a legal battle with her 62-year-old ex-husband Anthony, a financier, since their divorce in 2022.
This powerful couple had been together for 40 years. Problems started when they decided to renovate their home for £2.1 million.
After they separated, their property in Primrose Hill, North London, became a major issue. It featured nine bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and a home cinema.
They initiated divorce proceedings, and disagreements arose about dividing their assets.
Diane Culligan claimed her ex-husband was responsible for their separation, stating that he “left the marriage without explanation,” causing her to seek therapy.
Anthony Culligan described his ex-wife as “overbearing” and “irrational.” He also alleged that she physically stopped him from leaving on two occasions.
Although they agreed to split their £27.3 million fortune equally, they went to the High Court to resolve the dispute over how to divide it, as Diane Culligan wanted to remain in their former residence.
The court’s judgment, which has now been made public, declared that Diane Culligan could keep the mansion.
Despite acknowledging that a single person might not require such a large property, the judge recognized her “emotional attachment” to the London house.
Justice MacDonald stated, “Mrs. Culligan argues that she needs to stay in the former marital home.”
He added, “While they enjoyed a high standard of living during their marriage, it’s hard to understand how her current needs as a single individual necessitate a nine-bedroom, seven-bathroom house.”
He mentioned that even though one of their adult children currently lives there and another plans to move in, the house might still not meet Diane Culligan’s “current needs.”
However, the judge also stated, “I accept that Mrs. Culligan has a significant emotional attachment to the former marital home, which was not as evident in Mr. Culligan’s testimony.”
“In this context, I am convinced that a fair division of assets can be achieved without selling the former marital home,” he concluded.
The couple’s relationship began in 1982, and they married in Japan ten years later, having three children together.
Both have achieved great success. Mr. Culligan made his wealth through digital currencies, and Mrs. Culligan is a self-described football “pioneer.”
In 2019, they established a company with Mrs. Culligan as the only shareholder, which they used to buy the Lionesses football club, with her husband becoming a director.
Diane Culligan founded the Women’s Championship football team and served as its chairman until 2023.
They enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle after Anthony Culligan’s cryptocurrency investments grew from £10,000 to £20 million.
Using Anthony’s cryptocurrency profits, they invested in properties and built a substantial portfolio.
Justice MacDonald noted that they both agreed on an equal division of their assets but disagreed on the method.
Justice Macdonald continued, “They had a long marriage lasting about forty years.”
“There must be some sharing of the less liquid asset… although Mrs. Culligan’s share should be minimized to ensure fairness.”
Ultimately, he ruled that she would keep their former home, while Mr. Culligan would receive their rental properties and £750,000 from his ex-wife.
The judge acknowledged Diane Culligan’s crucial role in separating the Millwall women’s team from the men’s club and rebranding it.
However, he criticized both individuals in his judgment, describing Mr. Culligan as a “less than impressive witness” and Mrs. Culligan as “not an impressive witness” either.
After selling the London City Lionesses in 2023, Diane Culligan continued as a consultant with a £750,000 annual salary for four years.
The judge viewed her decision to receive £3 million as annual £750,000 payments over four years as an attempt to “disguise assets as future income.”
