An unconventional nobleman, Sir Benjamin Slade, who famously sought a wife with specific qualifications on ITV to secure a male heir, has been defeated in a legal dispute with his former spouse over a £1.2 million fortune. Sir Slade divorced Lady Pauline Slade, his wife of 12 years, in 1994. As part of their divorce settlement, Lady Slade received a £1.2 million trust fund comprising a £585,000 house and an income fund valued at around £651,000. The clash ensued after Lady Slade vacated the Somerset residence where Sir Slade had been residing since listing his manor house for sale the previous year.
The 7th Baronet had previously made public appeals for a wife, outlining a peculiar set of criteria, which included the stipulation of not being a Scorpio, not of Scottish descent, and being at least two decades his junior. The legal tussle commenced when Lady Slade left the Somerset property dubbed Old Farm in 2023 and requested its sale by trustees to settle her debts and bolster her finances.
Sir Slade contested her move, asserting that she was only entitled to reside there rent-free for life or acquire a replacement property, as the Old Farm was not intended as an income-generating asset, with her financial support meant to come from the dedicated cash fund. The disagreement escalated to the High Court, with trustees of Lady Slade’s divorce fund seeking clarification from a judge on her ability to sell the property and retain the proceeds.
During the court proceedings, Lady Slade expressed her desire to sell the property to alleviate her debts and enhance her income, relinquishing any claim to the estate. Master Julia Clark ruled in favor of Lady Slade, emphasizing that the trust fund was designed to provide her with financial support throughout her lifetime, including the property within its scope. The judge affirmed that Lady Slade’s interest in the sale proceeds did not cease if she opted not to purchase a new property, rejecting Sir Slade’s claims.
Sir Benjamin Slade, a descendant of General Sir John Slade, one of the Duke of Wellington’s generals, inherited Maunsel House in Somerset, which he put up for sale at £3.5 million. Known for his unconventional approach to finding a spouse, Sir Slade had offered a £50,000 annual prize for a bride meeting his unique criteria, such as enjoying activities like shooting, backgammon, and ballroom dancing, and excluding individuals like Guardian readers, Scorpios, drug users, alcoholics, Scots, and those under 5’6″.
Famously appearing on ITV’s This Morning in 2018 for his unorthodox quest for a wife, Sir Benjamin Slade’s first wife, Pauline Myburgh, was the daughter of Devon county cricketer and British Army officer Major Claude Myburgh.