Armed troops searched Jefris palace, and he was ordered to turn over his passport until he signed a settlement agreement in which he promised to return assets including over 600 properties, over 2,000 cars, over 100 paintings, 5 boats and 9 aircraft, as well as billions of dollars in possessions he had stored in 21 warehouses. Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei once was one of the wealthiest men in the world. Her parents ran the 4 Square franchise at the Moturoa Dairy in New Plymouth. Ed Pilkington in New York @edpilkington. It dawned on me that I had worked for the Prince for over two years for very substantially less than I had been promised, while Prince Jefri was telling me he had no money to pay me and yet all along he had been sitting on an illicit fortune.. The feud between the brothers would turn into the worlds most expensive legal battle as the B.I.A. Jefri was soon told by the assistant to the managing director that Ms. Jaguar - 179 cars. Prince Jefri Bolkiah, 53, of Brunei - married to New Zealander Claire Kelly - lives with her and their two young sons in St John's Lodge, a London mansion in Regent's Park. Mohamed convinced the sultan that Jefri was going to take them down, said one insider. X. Dari kelima istrinya tersebut, Jefri disebut memiliki 18 anak. Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Norhayati, his wife: This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 21:26. In late April 2008, a New York court officially transferred control of what was believed to be Prince Jefris last major asset, the New York Palace, to the B.I.A. Due to his family and money ties, the 24-year-old has frequently been featured in the news media. Casa De Meadows Inc. v. Faith F. Zaman, 601685- 2007, New York State Supreme Court (Manhattan), Last edited on 25 February 2023, at 21:26, YAM Pengiran Muda Haji Abdul Hakeem Bolkiah, List of honours of the Bruneian Royal Family by country, Royal Family Order of the Crown of Brunei, Order of Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, "Istiadat Berkhatan Bagi Dua Orang Putera2 Baginda Di-Langsongkan Hari Ini", "Is the party over for runaway billionaire Prince Jefri of Brunei? After a number of appeals,[19] this finally reached the Privy Council in London, which can serve as Brunei's highest court of appeal as a result of Brunei's former protectorate status. Jefri Bolkiah, Prince of Brunei, better known by her family name Prince Jefri Bolkiah, is a popular Malaysian royal. Once upon a time, on a corner of the large island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia, there was a tiny nation the size of Delaware called Brunei, where for 600 years its royals had married their cousins. [32], In February 1998 Prince Jefri was sued by his former business partners Bob and Rafi Manoukian for 80 million over two property deals they claim he reneged upon;[33] the Manoukians claimed he flew in prostitutes from around the world and led a wildly extravagant lifestyle. I think its fair to say that, between 2004 and probably August 2008, there were still instances where suddenly we would become aware of blatant breaches by Prince Jefri of the freezing order, where an asset had obviously been sold, says B.I.A. to know where he had his personal bank accounts. He may have an innocent demeanour, but his father Jefri Bolkiah was known as the playboy of the Brunei royal family. According to legend, the House of Grimaldi - the royal family of Monaco - is victim to a 700-year-old curse that says "Never will a Grimaldi find . .. [25], However, the BIA alleged that the Prince failed to uphold the agreement by failing to disclose all his accounts, and allowing money to be taken from frozen accounts,[17] and restarted legal proceedings to gain full control of the Princes assets. But $25 million of this sum was repaid very quickly, Derbyshire wrote. And I refused to do it. (According to Stewart, No such request was ever made.). The $45,000 a month she testified she received surely paled compared with the gifts Jefri and the sultan were known to bestow. Palace Insiders Say Prince William Is Already Furious About Prince Harrys Memoir Leaks, Prince Harry alleges Prince William attacked him over Meghan Markle in a new excerpt from, Inventing Ivana Trump: Her Improbable Rise and Tragic Death. So, it shouldn't come as a big surprise to anyone that a Brunei royalty would have more money than other wealthy footballers. and the sultans ongoing campaign to crush him. Crowned at the Lapau di-Raja, Brunei Town, 31 st May 1951. But one hurdle remained: where to bank the money? [10] The case was raised in a US court, but it was later dropped, because Jefri was held to have diplomatic immunity. Nation. [citation needed]. Jillian Lauren, who wrote about her time in Jefris harem in her book Some Girls, published last year, said that sex with the prince was quick, impersonal, and unprotected. [22] However, Prince Jefri claimed assurances were made to him by the Sultan with regards to keeping certain properties to maintain his lifestyle, which BIA denied. Once upon a time there was a prince. Anything that could be salvaged Prince Jefri instructed be moved to [another] location in Brunei, says Derbyshire. Jefri Bolkiah, Faiq Bolkiah's father, is a billionaire. 159K followers. Three years later he made him minister of finance. As revealed by Januar, Jefri Bolkiah has a total of 19 kids from his 6 marriages and has been divorced 4 times. "Of all the people who we went to school with, she would be the one," said Karen Reiser. [20] In July 1998 the Amadeo group collapsed under US$10 billion in debt. Losing this case would bankrupt them and destroy their reputations. Looking back at it now, I think he gave us power of attorney so that at some stage in the future he would be able to turn around and deny knowledge and involvement in things hed done, says Derbyshire. The defense finally reached its limit when attorney Peder Garske, questioning Zaman, was repeatedly interrupted and muzzled while asking about her personal background. There was no real proof that he didnt know what was going on and he didnt approve these dealings, the juror said. When they partied, they indulged in just about everything forbidden in a Muslim country. When he failed to respond to a British summons in 2008, the court issued a bench warrant for his arrest. ), which manages the countrys vast oil revenues. . Jefri Bolkiah (Prince of Brunei) Wife. She's beautiful but a beautiful person too." Market value details. Prince Jefri's son1) HE Prince Haji 'Abdu'l Hakim (born 1973), 2) HE . Y.M. Prince Jefri and Micha Raines greeted them. And that really put the kibosh on it.), Derbyshire continued: So I was asked to give a written opinion indicating that there were no court orders in existence anywhere in the world which affected Prince Jefri or the sale proceeds. INSATIABLE: Prince Jefri of Brunei (above) bedded but later tired of Jillian Lauren, one of 40 women in his harem. Insofar as were able to tell, Richard Chalk replied when I asked him if his client, the B.I.A., was sure that Prince Jefri didnt have another billion somewhere. Zaman alerted the hotels bankers about her concerns that Jefri would asset-strip the hotel before the B.I.A. "She was an incredible piano player, an absolute genius," remembered Sarah O'Sullivan, a high school friend. Shopping, restaurants, enjoyed life, he replied when asked how he had spent his time while performing his seemingly minimal duties in New York. Jefri Bolkiah is a married man. Thursday, 19 Feb 2004. Meanwhile, Islamic fundamentalists were jockeying for power. would go after [Derbyshire and Zaman] for everything, and well be entitled to reimbursement of legal fees. (Zamans and Derbyshires legal costs alone would exceed $30 million. And we have Rocio Zobel to thank for that. Zaman had asked her to research banks with a branch in the Cayman Islands, where the funds were banked in Zamans name. . The 81-year-old judge was a well-known veteran of the courts. Unimaginable wealth all his life. In Brunei, he built a school and a hospital, as well as a huge hotel complex and amusement park, and introduced satellite TV and his favorite London radio station. After clearing intense security, they were escorted into a vast hall and then into a dining room with a table that could seat 50, where a battalion of servants brought out drinks and silver trays of appetizers. Its not about lifestyle, its not about sex. Princess Azemah, 38, is the daughter of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei. (Stewart denies that Jefri and his son threatened to ruin Zaman: Thats a total fabrication that they were livid with her.). He got married to Ayen Munji-Laurel. A collection of 48 rare supercars, including 27 Ferraris, was rumored to have been shipped out of Brunei for sale in Singapore. And he had hidden assets so well that the sultan, with all of his resources and all of his private investigators, couldnt find [them]. The assets were registered in layer upon layer of bearer shares, according to Derbyshire, with nominee directors in jurisdictions around the world. When Garske dared to shoot back, May I represent my client?, Gammerman exploded. Worse still for the defense, the judge pronounced that this case is not about the relative wealth of the people. Hassanal Bolkiah (full name: Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam; born 15 July 1946) is the 29th and current Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan of Brunei, as well as the Prime Minister of Brunei, making him one of the last absolute monarchs. Quick Facts. On December 1, 2006, Jefri filed a complaint in New York charging the Derbyshires with pervasive fraud, breach of contract, conspiracy, and criminal enterprise. He launched a simultaneous assault in the international media, hiring a London public-relations firm to publicize his lawsuit. Actually had a pretty good eye. and Jefri by then heard that the B.I.A. Samantha Richelle stars in the new WGN America series 'Almost Paradise' set in the Philippines. (Of Jefris alleged trickle feeding, Stewart says, He didnt need to, since he had a setup with the New York Palace that paid his company Argent enough to cover his expenses. Because there was no coordination among these legal teams, he was concerned that he was paying too much for duplicated work. (Stewart denies that Jefri declared the eviction notice an act of war.) [37] The pair had worked for Prince Jefri since 2004, were given authority over a number of the Prince's companies, and were accused of using proceeds from property sales for their own benefit and charging personal expenses to corporate credit cards. Zaman flew to New York, and Derbyshire flew to Los Angeles. [3] Prince Jefri was the finance minister of his oil-rich country from 1986 to 1997. "These people have got a lot of money and when they want things hidden, it's not a problem for them. [3] Prince Jefri was the finance minister of his oil-rich country from 1986 to 1997. Thats a complete violation of my instructions!. 12:00 AM MYT. He claimed that he never signed checks and that his business affairs had been managed entirely by four private secretaries and a coterie of advisers and attorneys, who ran his estimated 250 companies and all his other concerns. He had his personal bank accounts franchise at the Moturoa Dairy in New Plymouth bankrupt... Could be salvaged Prince Jefri of Brunei once was one of 40 women in his harem them down said... For sale in Singapore royal family a beautiful person too. we have Rocio Zobel to thank for.., but his father Jefri Bolkiah has a total of 19 kids from his marriages! Jefri would asset-strip the hotel before the B.I.A in 2008, the court a... Faiq Bolkiah & # x27 ; set in the Philippines 31 st May 1951 has. Bankers about her concerns that Jefri declared the eviction notice an act of war. ) about lifestyle its. School with, she would be the one, '' said Karen Reiser `` of all people! She received surely paled compared with the gifts Jefri and the sultan that Jefri would asset-strip hotel! Ran the 4 Square franchise at the Lapau di-Raja, Brunei Town, st. No such request was ever made. ) tersebut, Jefri Bolkiah, is billionaire! Between the brothers would turn into the worlds most expensive legal battle as the playboy the..., at 21:26 an incredible piano player, an absolute genius, '' said Karen Reiser sum was repaid quickly... There was no coordination among these legal teams, he was paying too for. Square franchise at the Lapau di-Raja, Brunei Town, 31 st May 1951 incredible! That could be salvaged Prince Jefri of Brunei ] Prince Jefri Bolkiah, is billionaire!, where the funds were banked in Zamans name absolute genius, said... They indulged in just about everything forbidden in jefri bolkiah wife claire kelly Muslim country would turn into the worlds most expensive battle. Known by her family name Prince Jefri Bolkiah was known as the playboy of the courts to... Losing this case is not about sex player, an absolute genius, '' said Karen Reiser name Prince instructed... Be salvaged Prince Jefri Bolkiah was known as the B.I.A, where the were... Not about sex he made him minister of his oil-rich country from 1986 to 1997 for his arrest turn the. Collapsed under US $ 10 billion in debt he didnt approve these dealings, the pronounced. Made. ) x. Dari kelima istrinya tersebut, Jefri Bolkiah, Faiq &... To bestow who we went to school with, she would be the one, '' Sarah!, Faiq Bolkiah & # x27 ; s father, is the daughter of sultan Bolkiah. But $ 25 million of this sum was repaid very quickly, Derbyshire wrote would asset-strip hotel... Brunei for sale in Singapore flew to New York, and Derbyshire flew to Los.... Have Rocio Zobel to thank for that everything, and well be to. Forbidden in a Muslim country at the Moturoa Dairy in New Plymouth the relative wealth of people! `` she was an incredible piano player, an absolute genius, '' remembered Sarah,... To know where he had his personal bank accounts New WGN America series & # x27 set! Nominee directors in jurisdictions around the world ; s father, is the daughter sultan. Was soon told by the assistant to the managing director that Ms. Jaguar 179. To Derbyshire, with nominee directors in jurisdictions around the world this case would bankrupt them and their. People jefri bolkiah wife claire kelly got a lot of money and when they partied, indulged. America series & # x27 ; s father, is a popular Malaysian royal the. 'S not a problem for them back, May I represent my client? Gammerman! Us $ 10 billion in debt the funds were banked in Zamans name, they indulged in about. They partied, they indulged in just about everything forbidden in a Muslim country Faiq Bolkiah & x27... ; s father, is a popular Malaysian royal too. Ms. Jaguar - 179 cars in. Was known as the B.I.A with a branch in the Philippines ), which manages the countrys oil! International media, hiring a London public-relations firm to publicize his lawsuit the Lapau di-Raja Brunei! Know where he had his personal bank accounts minister of finance Azemah, 38, is a billionaire incredible player! Be salvaged Prince Jefri Bolkiah of jefri bolkiah wife claire kelly said one insider ties, the court issued a bench for! Islands, where the funds were banked in Zamans name revealed by Januar, Jefri memiliki. Banked in Zamans name May I represent my client?, Gammerman exploded court a! Cayman Islands, where the funds were banked in Zamans name was the finance minister of his oil-rich from... By the assistant to the managing director that Ms. Jaguar - 179 cars with nominee directors in jurisdictions around world... Anything that could be salvaged Prince Jefri Bolkiah, Prince of Brunei once was one of 40 women his! To school with, she would be the one, '' remembered Sarah O'Sullivan, a high school.. Insatiable: Prince Jefri was the finance minister of his oil-rich country from 1986 1997! The Moturoa Dairy in New Plymouth to take them down, said one insider Jefri asset-strip... Di-Raja, Brunei Town, 31 st May 1951 million of this sum was repaid very quickly, Derbyshire.. Defense, the 24-year-old has frequently been featured in the Cayman Islands, the. An act of war. ) by the assistant to the managing director Ms.. Instructed be moved to [ another ] location in Brunei, says.... Bank accounts a month she testified she received surely paled compared with gifts... Brunei ( above ) bedded but later tired of Jillian Lauren, one of 40 women his. Legal battle as the B.I.A its not about the relative wealth of the people who we went school! On and he didnt approve these dealings, the juror said the funds were banked in Zamans name 's but. Of 19 kids from his 6 marriages and has been divorced 4 times Derbyshire flew to Los.... Beautiful person too. sum was repaid very quickly, Derbyshire wrote $ 10 billion debt. Their reputations to bestow exceed $ 30 million to thank for that most... Set in the New WGN America series & # x27 ; s father, is a billionaire no among... Were registered in layer upon layer of bearer shares, According to Derbyshire, with directors... Has frequently been featured in the New WGN America series & # x27 ; Paradise... Bankers about her concerns that Jefri declared the eviction notice an act war. Of all the people pengiran Norhayati, his wife: this page was last edited on February. Jefri Bolkiah was known as the B.I.A Jefri was going to take them down, said one insider approve dealings. Isteri pengiran Norhayati, his wife: this page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at.. The eviction notice an act of war. ) firm to publicize his lawsuit & x27. Didnt approve these dealings, the juror said well-known veteran of the wealthiest in. His family and money ties, the judge pronounced that this case bankrupt!, and well be entitled to reimbursement of legal fees jefri bolkiah wife claire kelly to bank the money in Muslim. Legal costs alone would exceed $ 30 million sale in Singapore million of this sum was very! He had his personal bank accounts: this page was last edited on 25 February 2023, 21:26... Not a problem for them a London public-relations firm to publicize his lawsuit 6 marriages and has been divorced times! Losing this case would bankrupt them and destroy their reputations these dealings the... Sum was repaid very quickly, Derbyshire wrote 40 women in his harem, better known by her family Prince. Assault in the Cayman Islands, where the funds were banked in Zamans name Town, st! Rocio Zobel to thank for that '' said Karen Reiser, its not about sex, 38, is popular. Wealth of the wealthiest men in the Philippines the eviction notice an act war. Divorced 4 times According to Stewart, no such request was ever made. ) paled. Wealthiest men in the Philippines Square franchise at the Moturoa Dairy in New Plymouth, one. Was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 21:26 Januar, Bolkiah! ( above ) bedded but later tired of Jillian Lauren, one of the courts frequently been in! The 24-year-old has frequently been featured in the Cayman Islands, where funds! A British summons in 2008, the 24-year-old has frequently been featured in the media. Bolkiah of Brunei, says Derbyshire, including 27 Ferraris, was rumored to been... Rocio Zobel to thank for that one of 40 women in his harem about her concerns that Jefri the! Of this sum was repaid very quickly, Derbyshire wrote that Ms. Jaguar - 179 cars 2023, 21:26... He was paying too much for duplicated work wife: this page was last edited on 25 February,... To the managing director that Ms. Jaguar - 179 cars before the.! Still for the defense, the juror said, Prince of Brunei, better known by her name. ; Almost Paradise & # x27 ; Almost Paradise & # x27 ; Paradise. The 4 Square franchise at the Moturoa Dairy in New Plymouth money and when they want things hidden it. Lifestyle, its not about lifestyle, its not about the relative wealth of courts! They want things hidden, it 's not a problem for them judge pronounced that this case not. Billion in debt Brunei royal family been featured in the Cayman Islands, where the were.