Belle Burden’s Memoir Under Scrutiny

Belle Burden, a member of the Vanderbilt family, is facing criticism for her memoir, “Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage.” Released in January, the book details the struggles Burden experienced during the collapse of her marriage to hedge fund executive Henry Davis. She describes the repercussions of a prenup she agreed to, despite legal advice against it, which she claims almost left her financially destitute. This account, however, is being questioned by The New Yorker.

The publication reviewed the couple’s prenup, a central theme in Burden’s memoir. According to her account, Davis insisted on modifying the prenup so that shared assets would be divided equally in the event of a divorce, while individual assets would remain separate. Burden suggests this placed her at a disadvantage because she left her corporate law career to care for their children while Davis’ financial career flourished.

Belle Burden is accused of exaggerating her financial hardships in her bestselling memoir, “Strangers.” Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

In their 1999 marriage, Davis reportedly earned a salary exceeding $200,000 annually and was entitled to investment fund profits. Meanwhile, Burden’s financial situation was significantly cushioned by her sizable trust funds and other assets, amounting to approximately $63 million. However, she could not access a trust set up by her father, Carter Burden, which was earmarked for her stepmother until her passing.

The prenup also revealed that Burden retained additional substantial assets, including interests in various trusts, a high-value co-op, and compensation for serving as an estate trustee. Her financial security seemed well-assured, according to The New Yorker.

Burden’s memoir narrates her choice to leave the workforce to raise her children, a decision she does not regret and which Davis supported. However, she felt financially constrained by Davis, who kept tight control over their expenses.

Despite her claims of financial vulnerability, The New Yorker reports that Burden maintained significant independent wealth throughout her marriage. Her income reached over $800,000 in 2019, though Burden claimed this was unusually high.

The prenup suggested Davis was entitled to half of shared properties upon divorce, according to Burden. Belle Burden/Instagram

Burden admits in her memoir to using her trust funds to purchase family homes, with Davis contributing none of his funds yet gaining entitlement to half through the prenup. Despite their discussions on altering the prenup, the couple never followed through, and the marriage dissolved amid Davis’ affair revelation in 2020.

Public records indicate Burden bought a Tribeca apartment and a Martha’s Vineyard home with substantial mortgages. During divorce negotiations, she faced the loss of family homes and financial security, a narrative she shares in both her book and interviews. Nevertheless, the divorce settlement resulted in Davis ceding his home shares and providing generous child support.

Burden asserts that her memoir reflects her personal journey and mistakes, emphasizing her privilege and the importance of financial transparency in marriages.