Nathalie Benko has reportedly filed for divorce from her husband René Benko, marking the end of their 15-year marriage amid tumultuous circumstances surrounding his financial collapse and legal woes. René Benko, once considered one of Austria's wealthiest businessmen, has faced significant challenges since the downfall of his business empire, which included prominent entities like Galeria and KaDeWe.
The couple has been married since 2010 and shares three children. Reports indicate Nathalie’s decision to file divorce stems not only from the economic downfall but also from the personal strain inflicted by René’s arrest on January 23, 2025, due to allegations of forgery and asset concealment. Following this incident, insiders revealed the marriage had been under pressure for some time, eventually leading Nathalie to take this significant step. "She wants to protect herself and her family and draw a line," quoted oe24.at from a close family friend.
René Benko's arrest occurred at their home in Innsbruck, where authorities suspected him of trying to hide assets from creditors during the insolvency proceedings involving his company. The financial turmoil is immense, with creditors demanding around 2.4 billion euros, as stated by the insolvency administrator. Nathalie Benko now faces uncertainty about their combined financial future, especially with the legal entanglements impacting any potential alimony or asset division. Nicolas Stieger, an Austrian lawyer, explained, "Since René Benko is bankrupt, his wife will not receive much from the division of jointly owned marital assets. Whether he will need to pay her any maintenance depends on who is at fault for the marriage's breakdown. And those responsible pay."
The couple, once seen at glamorous events like the Cannes Film Festival, now faces serious speculation about their financial and familial stability. The Benkos' once-5500-square-meter villa has also been impacted; following René’s arrest, the family had to vacate the property, which is part of the Laura Private Foundation, with plans to turn the villa complex possibly even more profitable by converting it to a wellness hotel.
Investigations extend beyond just financial losses; authorities are also probing whether Nathalie was aware of any misconduct related to her husband's dealings. There are allegations of her involvement with trust accounts intended to obscure financial dealings. Since these inquiries are still pending, the situation remains murky. Stieger noted, "It could be possible Nathalie wants to clearly distance herself from her husband and his actions by filing for divorce. But it’s too early for judgment as investigations continue." The ramifications of the separation could involve scrutiny over any marital assets claimed after the divorce proceedings begin.
René Benko's legal troubles do not just stop at the Austrian borders; the situation is complicated by outstanding warrants from Italian authorities, compounding his precarious position. The downward spiral of his business empire, attributed to rising interest rates, energy prices, and construction costs, has shocked many, marking it as one of the largest economic scandals within Austrian history.
The remnants of his dealings continue to linger, with creditors pressing claims against Benko's businesses as the Signa Holding filed for bankruptcy last November, leading many to believe the marriage might have been impacted by such rapid financial deterioration. The ultimate fate of Nathalie Benko and her children hangs in the balance, as they navigate this turbulent transitional phase, hoping for some sense of normalcy amid the chaos. Experts suspect the family’s assets may be significantly depleted, with only 47 million euros acknowledged so far from the total claims against Benko.
It remains unclear whether any payments will reach Nathalie following the divorce, and how long the emotional and financial fallout will last. Benko himself is now facing possibly serving up to ten years of imprisonment on charges of embezzlement or bankruptcy fraud, as the Vienna Regional Court recently extended his detention by another two months during these investigations.
