A former women’s football club owner, Diane Culligan, has emerged victorious in a contentious divorce battle with her ex-husband, Anthony Culligan, a Bitcoin millionaire, over the fate of their £7 million family home. The couple, who accumulated a significant fortune through Anthony’s successful ventures in cryptocurrency and property investments, lived a life of luxury in their nine-bedroom, seven-bathroom home in Primrose Hill, north London. The house, which underwent a £2.1 million renovation, was a central point of contention in their divorce proceedings, with Diane wishing to retain it, while Anthony argued for its sale to generate more liquid assets. In a ruling that favored Diane, Judge Mr. Justice MacDonald allowed her to stay in the home, ensuring that both parties would receive a broadly equal share of their £27.3 million fortune.
Diane and Anthony Culligan, both in their early 60s, had been together since 1982 and married since 1992. Their relationship, which spanned over four decades, was marked by both personal and professional partnerships. Anthony, a computer programmer turned cryptocurrency entrepreneur, made his fortune after investing £10,000 in Bitcoin in 2012, which grew to approximately £20 million by 2017. This wealth, combined with proceeds from a business dispute settlement and a lucrative buy-to-let property portfolio, funded their lavish lifestyle and various business ventures. Diane, meanwhile, was a pioneering figure in women’s football, having founded the London City Lionesses, a Women’s Championship team, after breaking away from Millwall FC. She later sold the club in 2023 to U.S. businesswoman Michele Kang, following a plea from the players for new investment.
The Culligans’ marriage began to unravel in 2020, with both parties citing different reasons for the breakdown. Diane accused Anthony of leaving the marriage without explanation, an action she found deeply distressing and one that necessitated counseling for her. On the other hand, Anthony pointed to the tensions arising from the expensive renovation of their home and what he described as Diane’s “overbearing” and “irrational” behavior. These tensions, he claimed, created an untenable living situation. The renovation, which began in 2018, was a significant source of conflict, with Anthony alleging that Diane had twice physically restrained him from leaving during arguments. Despite these challenges, the couple agreed that their assets should be divided equally, with each receiving approximately £13.7 million. However, the precise distribution of their wealth remained a point of contention, leading them to the High Court.
The court proceedings, which took place in November 2022, highlighted the complexities of dividing the couple’s substantial assets. While both parties acknowledged the need for an equal split, they disagreed on how this should be achieved. Diane was keen to retain the family home, a property to which she had an apparent emotional attachment, while Anthony advocated for its sale to generate liquidity, partly to address an impending U.S. tax bill that would impact his ability to purchase a new home. The judge, Mr. Justice MacDonald, ultimately ruled in Diane’s favor, allowing her to remain in the Primrose Hill home. As part of the settlement, Anthony would receive the couple’s buy-to-let properties, the majority of his business interests, and a £750,000 payment from Diane. Additionally, Diane agreed to share some of the riskier, illiquid assets to ensure fairness and enable Anthony to purchase a new home.
Throughout the proceedings, the judge noted that while the marriage had been one of equals, with both parties contributing significantly to their shared life, neither Diane nor Anthony emerged as particularly impressive witnesses. Diane’s decision to structure the sale of the London City Lionesses in a way that provided her with £750,000 annually for four years was viewed by the court as an attempt to “disguise assets as future income,” a tactic that drew some skepticism. Similarly, the judge questioned the practicality of Diane needing such a large home, given that their adult children were no longer fully dependent on them. However, he also acknowledged her deep emotional connection to the property, which seemed absent in Anthony’s testimony. This emotional bond, combined with the broader principle of fairness, influenced the court’s decision to allow Diane to retain the home.
The outcome of the case marks a new chapter for both Diane and Anthony Culligan as they move forward with their separate lives. Diane, now a consultant for the London City Lionesses, continues to be involved in women’s football, albeit in a reduced capacity. Anthony, meanwhile, will focus on managing his business interests and property portfolio, which remain substantial even after the division of assets. The sale of the Lionesses to Michele Kang has brought new leadership to the club, with Jocelyn Prêcheur, a former Paris Saint-Germain manager, now at the helm. As the Culligans navigate this post-divorce landscape, they each face the challenge of rebuilding their lives outside of the partnership that once defined them. Though their marriage has come to an end, the legacy of their shared achievements, both personal and professional, remains a testament to the complexity and richness of their relationship.
