What is James Stunt’s net worth, when did he divorce Petra Ecclestone and how much was stolen in the robbery?
JAMES Stunt and Petra Ecclestone had been embroiled in a bitter and long-running divorce battle over their estimated £5.5billion fortune.
But who is the playboy ex-husband of the F1 tycoon’s daughter? Here’s the lowdown on Stunt and their dramatic split…
Who is James Stunt?
James Stunt, 35, was born to Geoffrey, a publishing director, and Lorraine Stunt in 1982.
He grew up in the plush neighbourhood of Virginia Water, Surrey.
Stunt had an older brother, Lee, who was tragically found dead at his parents’ mansion in September 2016.
Lee, who was 37 when he died, was chief operating officer for his little brother’s precious metals firm Stunt & Co.
Pals said he had been suffering from depression.
Stunt has three kids with Petra – a girl and twin boys.
How did Stunt make his money and how much is he worth?
Stunt has amassed a substantial fortune, which was once rumoured to be between £3billion and £4billion.
Despite being born with a silver spoon in his mouth, the loudmouth businessman struck out on his own to make his money.
At the age of 21 Stunt is said to have dipped into the shipping sector, investing in cargo vessels.
He later diversified his investments, venturing into gold mining, private finance, property and gambling.
Stunt is the proud owner of over 200 vintage and luxury cars including a £315,000 Lamborghini and a bullet-proof Rolls Royce.
He also owns a number of pricey artworks including pieces by Monet and Picasso.
In May 2016 he drove at the head of a five-car convoy with his security guards to splash out on more paintings at Christie’s in West London.
When did he marry Petra Ecclestone?
James and Petra tied the knot in August 2011 in an Italian ceremony.
The couple had reportedly met on a blind date five years earlier in 2006.
They wed at Odescalchi Castle near Rome – where Tom Cruise married Katie Holmes.
Petra wore a £80,000 Vera Wang dress, with the ceremony reportedly costing £12million. Each bottle of wine is said to have cost £4,000.
James and Petra have three children – a daughter and twin boys.
The family lived in a West London mansion bought for £70million and spent another £25million to add a new wing featuring a pool, gym and underground car park.
When did they get divorced?
James and Petra had their divorce granted by a family court judge within just five minutes during a speedy hearing in October 2017.
In a statement Mr Stunt: “I am devastated that my marriage has broken down. I love Petra and our children.”
Judge Robin Towson QC said: “I congratulate the parties” as their £5.5billion divorce was settled.”
A court previously heard Petra’s claims that her husband was “abusive, violent and took overdoses” during their marriage.
Stunt strongly disputed his wife’s allegations.
At one hearing, 35-year-old James barged into his father-in-law, ex-Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone, 86, and called him a c***. He is also said to have made a gun gesture in court.
Petra moved out of the family home in February but Judge Richard Anelay ordered James to quit the property within days, saying: “Petra should be restored to the former matrimonial home forthwith.
“He’d like to be there too, but – and I’m not making any judgements – it’s unlikely they could live in peace together at that property.”
The following day, bleary-eyed James was pictured being driven from the mansion in the back of a Rolls, puffing on a cig and clutching two china cat ornaments.
One of his entourage followed in his precious Lamborghini.
In July the Sun on Sunday revealed how police were called to a “poisonous” bust-up between the couple as Petra and the family nanny found themselves locked in a bathroom.
The couple had signed a prenuptial agreement worth £16million, said to cover Stunt’s own assets including a wine collection worth millions of pounds.
Other assets expected to be fought over include an £80million, 123-room mansion in Los Angeles.
As we reported, Stunt posted a rant online where he dubbed his father-in-law an “evil dwarf“.
He also slammed Bernie as a “filthy second-hand car dealer” and threatened to expose his father-in-law’s “dodgy behaviour” if he interfered in the divorce.
Doting dad Bernie previously said his daughter was “coping well” through the bitter split.
Petra was pictured having a bouncy castle, candy floss machine and alpacas delivered to her home to celebrate after she moved back in.
Speaking to in his first interview after his divorce, Mr Stunt said that, initially, Petra, 29, was “the best girl I ever met”, before going on to describe her as “this girl who’s had a lobotomy and gone to Jonestown. This is a horrible human being”.
He is also reported to have referred to his ex as a “C-list celebrity’s daughter”.
Stunt is now reportedly dating actress and model Kristina Wurtemberg, 26.
How much was stolen in the robbery?
The billionaire playboy told cops he’s been robbed £90million worth of cash, gold and gems in what’s believed to be Britain’s biggest ever burglary.
James is said to have woken up to find the safe at his Georgian house in London’s Belgravia cleaned out.
The robbery, believed to have taken place in the early hours of December 14, is thought to be record-breaking in the UK.
Among the items said to have been stolen were a £1.5m yellow diamond ring and four blue diamonds worth £5m each.
However, former bodyguard Justin Kalnutis, who was keeping watch at his home that night, has claimed there was no break-in.
He told : “Nothing happened that night. I was in the house all night and there was no way anyone could have got access to that safe.
“I was watching the office where the safe is kept most of the evening. There was no break-in.”
Stunt has denied fabricating details of the break-in.
The best-known heist in recent years was the 2015 raid on safety deposit boxes by the Hatton Garden blaggers, who fled with £25million.