I know there are a lot of people on this board who have differing viewpoints on child support amounts among other things so I thought this was an interesting story: http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/113244/linda-evangelista-son-46000-monthly-spending Supermodel Linda Evangelista is asking French billionaire Francois Henri-Pinault for $46,000 a month in child support. He's the father of Ms. Evangelista's four-year-old son, Augustin James. And Ms. Evangelista argues that $46,000 is the minimum required to provide for young Augustin in the manner to which he has grown accustomed. Readers outside New York are probably thinking: "What's this kid eating ?!" Readers in New York are thinking: "She should ask for more." To find out how a four-year-old could possibly burn through $46,000 a month in Manhattan, I called Natasha Pearl, president of Aston-Pearl, the New York-based lifestyle-management firm for wealthy families. Here's the breakdown: Childcare Forget the nanny. Kids like Augustin need a round-the-clock child-care team, what the wealthy call "full, 24/7 coverage." Ms. Pearl says that requires three nannies, with two rotating on full schedule and another as a backup. "And that third nanny preferably has some specialty skill, like teaching the kid Mandarin," Ms. Pearl said. "And if he's a boy, the third staffer might be a manny to run him around the park and throw him baseballs." Total cost: About $23,000 a month or more — half the total. School Augustin is still in preschool, which means that rather than paying the $36,000 to $40,000 a year for private school, Ms. Evangelista only has to pay about $20,000 to $30,000 for a top preschool. That means his school bill — at least for now — is a mere $2,500 a month. Clothing You can't be the son of Linda Evangelista and the world's luxury king and wear Osh-Kosh. To sheath Augustin in Chloe, Berlingot and Jacadi (does Gucci have a kids' line?) you're looking at $3,000 a month minimum. Extracurriculars Fencing, chess, French lessons, soccer and all the other add-ons that are required for any successful Manhattan four-year-old will easily run another $2,000 to $5,000 a month. Drivers "He probably needs his own driver since they can't split one," Ms. Pearl said. "If he needs to be at school at 8 a.m. and she needs to be out 'til 2 a.m., they have to have two." So add another another $6,000 to $8,000 a month. So we're already at more than $41,000 and we haven't even gotten to his daily sushi intake, the expense account at F.A.O. Schwartz and the kiddie birthday parties at Top of the Rock. "At first glance, $46,000 seems like an extraordinary amount and it is," Ms. Pearl said. "But for a fortunate child in New York, it is actually absolutely conceivable that his expenses could approach $50,000 a month." Message to Mr. Pinault: you're getting a bargain. What other expenses do you think a fortunate son in New York might incur?
Before I read this, I would have said a supermodel is worth 100x per month more than some 4yr old, snot-nosed brat. 4yr old brat = $50,000 per month supermodel = $5 million per month hmmm. I guess I should recalculate this.
What I've never fully understood about it is, especially in these situations of great wealth, shouldn't it be about what's best for the kid? in which case, wouldn't mandated time spent with his dad be much more important than mandarin lessons? and let's say the dad has this idea. let's say he says, look, i don't want himi taking all these classes... i'd rather he spend time hanging out with me.... is this not a reasonable position?
I guess it seems excessive, but I'd like to know what kind of jerk wouldn't spend as much of a defined portion of his wealth and income as possible to ensure that his kid has the same lifestyle or opportunities. What kind of ******* multimillionaire wouldn't broaden his kid's horizons as much as humanly possible with the best activities, experience, education and social environment as humanly possible? I'm not even trying to fetishize children here, but what better opportunity is there to project your own idealized image of yourself than through your kids?
because its not what todays "I'm Every Woman " wants to do.... Motherhood aint hard IMO... I tell my ex-wife that all the time....but she'd rather tell me what Im not doing than seeing that Im doin her job... Funny how when I gained custody , Im a bad parent now!!!
She has a career which demands that she travel constantly. Like a celebrity actress...why give that up. He knocked her up. I have no sympathy for him...he's a spoiled brat who works for his father's company and who cheated on his wife Salma Hayek Yep, the dude is married to Salma <img src="http://www.celebweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/salma-hayek-francois-henri-pinault.jpg"> screw this guy. damn french. Don't know why anyone would defend him. He needs to pay up. It's not his fortune...he's a playboy.
This is total bull**** Maybe he don't think his kid needs Mandarin Maybe he would like his kid to NOT be paris hilton maybe he would like his kid to grow up with some sense and not be spoiled. It's a kid. . not a d*mn doll to turn into a LOOK WHAT I DID FOR MY KID contest Rocket River
Salma's never been all that toned body-wise, a few years between gigs and a bad marriage or two and she could go all Liz Taylor or Cybill Shepherd-y.
OHMSS? Satanico Pandemonium would break you in half. <img src="http://bollywoodsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/salma-hayek-hot-hollywood-actress.jpg"> StupidMoniker, I think we could go so far as to say what guy would cheat on Salma even for a threesome with Milla Jovavich and Linda Evangelista
And when you are introduced to numerous hot women due to your status, women like Salma dont get it done anymore...Thats why these celebrity couples dont last....
