From Times Online
April 29, 2009
Mel Gibson debuts Russian girlfriend Oksana GrigorievaOksana Grigorieva and Mel Gibson arrive to the X-Men Origins: Wolverine screening in LA(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
As Mel Gibson walked hand in hand with his new Russian girlfriend on the red carpet last night, a few new grey hairs were the only sign that he is a man about to lose $US500 million.
The Australian actor – in the middle of what is expected to become one of the world’s most expensive divorces – attended a movie premiere in Los Angeles with Russian songstress Oksana Grigorieva, the woman at the centre of worldwide speculation about his marital split.
The public debut of his girlfriend, at the premiere of X -Men Origins: Wolverine, put to rest the rumours which have dogged the Oscar-winning Braveheart star since it was announced he was divorcing his wife of 28 years, former dental nurse Robyn Gibson.
His estranged wife looks set to be awarded half of Gibson’s estimated $US900 million (£605 million) fortune after she cited “irreconcilable differences” when she filed for divorce earlier this month in the Los Angeles Superior Court. The couple said they separated in 2006.
The US TV show Access Hollywood reported that Gibson has actually been with Grigorieva for three years and it has been rumoured she is pregnant with the actor’s child, which is reportedly what triggered his wife to file for divorce.
Since his divorce announcement there have been four different women named Oksana linked to Gibson, 53. However last night he defiantly proved Grigorieva is the mysterious brunette he was photographed with on the beach in Costa Rica, and who was seen entering his trailer on a recent movie set.
Grigorieva, 39, is a singer who is signed to Gibson's record label Icon Records. She has an 11-year-old son with her former partner, British actor Timothy Dalton.
Walking the red carpet with his Russian girlfriend is a far cry from two weeks ago when Gibson and his estranged wife asked for privacy in their divorce announcement.
"Throughout our marriage and separation we have always strived to maintain the privacy and integrity of our family and will continue to do so," the Gibsons, who have seven children, said in a statement.
Gibson is one of Hollywood’s richest stars, having earnt his fortune starring, writing and directing many films including the Mad Max trilogy, the Lethal Weapon series and The Passion of the Christ.
Last week the devoutly religious actor surprised members members of the Eastern Catholic Church Bishops Conference in St Louis when he asked the bishops to “keep me in your prayers, I’m going through a bad time in my life".
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