Belle Burden’s “Strangers”

[Anonymous]

It's an interesting story but without her willingness to reflect on the disintegration of the marriage--in my experience it never comes out of nowhere--it's not worth much. And specifics about how he treated her with no empathy or sentiment during the divorce, please. It sounds like he came to dislike her over time. It could be that he is simply a complete sociopath but it is also possible she was less perfect than purported and contributed to the breakdown in some ways.

Also, he told her to keep the houses then she had to empty her trust to pay for them? What?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's an interesting story but without her willingness to reflect on the disintegration of the marriage--in my experience it never comes out of nowhere--it's not worth much. And specifics about how he treated her with no empathy or sentiment during the divorce, please. It sounds like he came to dislike her over time. It could be that he is simply a complete sociopath but it is also possible she was less perfect than purported and contributed to the breakdown in some ways.

Also, he told her to keep the houses then she had to empty her trust to pay for them? What?

In the end it is a pretty generic account, true.

[Anonymous]

Belle used her trust money to purchase the homes. The book mentioned if she bought his share out she would not be able to afford it. It doesn’t mention how much were in the trusts. The lawyer for a prenuptial was not supportive of having her ex keep all his earnings during the marriage, but he had insisted on that change. I suppose with her family money he felt like he should be should keep his earnings. It did mention that her father died with 40 million in debt. After selling assets, there was some money left over for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Belle used her trust money to purchase the homes. The book mentioned if she bought his share out she would not be able to afford it. It doesn’t mention how much were in the trusts. The lawyer for a prenuptial was not supportive of having her ex keep all his earnings during the marriage, but he had insisted on that change. I suppose with her family money he felt like he should be should keep his earnings. It did mention that her father died with 40 million in debt. After selling assets, there was some money left over for her.

She also has a wealthy mother.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's an interesting story but without her willingness to reflect on the disintegration of the marriage--in my experience it never comes out of nowhere--it's not worth much. And specifics about how he treated her with no empathy or sentiment during the divorce, please. It sounds like he came to dislike her over time. It could be that he is simply a complete sociopath but it is also possible she was less perfect than purported and contributed to the breakdown in some ways.

Also, he told her to keep the houses then she had to empty her trust to pay for them? What?

In the end it is a pretty generic account, true.

I'm not sure how it's interesting beyond the multi-million dollar properties involved. Not like it's an unusual tale, a husband ditching his family in middle age to do what he wants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's an interesting story but without her willingness to reflect on the disintegration of the marriage--in my experience it never comes out of nowhere--it's not worth much. And specifics about how he treated her with no empathy or sentiment during the divorce, please. It sounds like he came to dislike her over time. It could be that he is simply a complete sociopath but it is also possible she was less perfect than purported and contributed to the breakdown in some ways.

Also, he told her to keep the houses then she had to empty her trust to pay for them? What?

In the end it is a pretty generic account, true.

I'm not sure how it's interesting beyond the multi-million dollar properties involved. Not like it's an unusual tale, a husband ditching his family in middle age to do what he wants.

This

[Anonymous]

She's on the modern love podcast today.

No gift links left: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/podcasts/belle-burden-husband-strangers.html?smid=url-share

online, there's a little blurb that says:

When reached for comment about Ms. Burden’s recollections relating to their divorce and custody of their children, Ms. Burden’s ex-husband provided the following response:

“While I disagree with many of her recollections, as well as her overall mischaracterization of my relationship with my children, I do not wish to comment in more detail in order to protect them from further violations of their privacy other than to say that I continue to lovingly support, and be lovingly supported by, my children.”

[Anonymous]

I think it's good he left the kids instead of forcing 50/50. They probably hate him and are fine to see hm just very occasionally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She's on the modern love podcast today.

No gift links left: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/podcasts/belle-burden-husband-strangers.html?smid=url-share

online, there's a little blurb that says:

When reached for comment about Ms. Burden’s recollections relating to their divorce and custody of their children, Ms. Burden’s ex-husband provided the following response:

“While I disagree with many of her recollections, as well as her overall mischaracterization of my relationship with my children, I do not wish to comment in more detail in order to protect them from further violations of their privacy other than to say that I continue to lovingly support, and be lovingly supported by, my children.”

My brother has a high level finance job in NYC and a shocking number of men do the CTRL-ALT-DEL on their former lives once they hit their 50s. Not surprised this man’s “recollections” differ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's good he left the kids instead of forcing 50/50. They probably hate him and are fine to see hm just very occasionally.

Or they’ve been trying to desperately win his approval ever since. It’s like a parent died even though they are physically alive. The therapy bills must’ve been something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it's good he left the kids instead of forcing 50/50. They probably hate him and are fine to see hm just very occasionally.

Or they’ve been trying to desperately win his approval ever since. It’s like a parent died even though they are physically alive. The therapy bills must’ve been something.

He was barely present in their lives anyway. Men like that work all the time and have zero domestic responsibilities. She was a SAHM who handled everything. Of course nothing was going to change substantively. He never wanted any of the responsibility, why would that change now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's an interesting story but without her willingness to reflect on the disintegration of the marriage--in my experience it never comes out of nowhere--it's not worth much. And specifics about how he treated her with no empathy or sentiment during the divorce, please. It sounds like he came to dislike her over time. It could be that he is simply a complete sociopath but it is also possible she was less perfect than purported and contributed to the breakdown in some ways.

Also, he told her to keep the houses then she had to empty her trust to pay for them? What?

In the end it is a pretty generic account, true.

I'm not sure how it's interesting beyond the multi-million dollar properties involved. Not like it's an unusual tale, a husband ditching his family in middle age to do what he wants.

This

Yeh, I am now more interested in how the other couple's marriage turned out...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She's on the modern love podcast today.

No gift links left: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/podcasts/belle-burden-husband-strangers.html?smid=url-share

online, there's a little blurb that says:

When reached for comment about Ms. Burden’s recollections relating to their divorce and custody of their children, Ms. Burden’s ex-husband provided the following response:

“While I disagree with many of her recollections, as well as her overall mischaracterization of my relationship with my children, I do not wish to comment in more detail in order to protect them from further violations of their privacy other than to say that I continue to lovingly support, and be lovingly supported by, my children.”

My brother has a high level finance job in NYC and a shocking number of men do the CTRL-ALT-DEL on their former lives once they hit their 50s. Not surprised this man’s “recollections” differ.

His response makes him sound worse than my original impression.

Sorry she put you on blast, dude. Sounds like your earned it.

I do feel sorry for the kids. But I hate that women are expected to suffer in silence while men walk away whistling with their hands in their pockets. It’s just incredibly unfair.

[Anonymous]

I have this on hold at the library and I read the earlier NYT article.

I concur with most of what was said above and will add that the pandemic and being with the family 24/7 was probably what caused him to act. He probably never saw her or the kids, worked a lot and spent time as he wished after work and couldn't see his current AP. He was used to a lot of freedom and didn't want to live without it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have this on hold at the library and I read the earlier NYT article.

I concur with most of what was said above and will add that the pandemic and being with the family 24/7 was probably what caused him to act. He probably never saw her or the kids, worked a lot and spent time as he wished after work and couldn't see his current AP. He was used to a lot of freedom and didn't want to live without it.

They were literally only one week into lockdown when he bailed. And I think the reason he bailed is because he got found out and knew his AP's spouse was going to tell his wife.