Supreme Court Lets Stand Saudi Sheik’s $77-Million Divorce

A Saudi Arabian sheik whose exotic life style once included a bright green Beverly Hills mansion with painted nude statues and plastic flowers lost a Supreme Court appeal today of his $77-million American divorce.

The court let stand rulings that awarded $76.9 million in cash plus real estate and personal property against Sheik Mohammed al Fassi, 32.

“We are very happy the high court has decided to uphold the decision” of the lower courts, said Dena al Fassi’s lawyer, Marvin Mitchelson. He said the sheik’s former wife, 28, now lives in Belgium.

The Fassis were married in Los Angeles in 1975. Seven years later, she filed for divorce.

Fassi returned with his children to his homeland in late 1982.

Fassi did not attend divorce proceedings in California, never produced documents as ordered and failed to answer questions posed to him by his wife’s lawyers.