Giuliani reaches divorce settlement

Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani has reached a multi-million pound divorce settlement with his wife. Donna Hanover's lawyers says it is worth $6.8m, around €6.9m.

The settlement was accepted by a New York court just before it was due to go to trial.

"This is both a very sad day and a day in which I feel a great sense of relief," Giuliani said outside court. "I hope the very, very best for Donna and her future. We have two children. I want everything to work out the very best for them."

Hanover's attorney, Helene Brezinsky, said the settlement called for Giuliani to pay Hanover "more than $6.8 million plus all of her litigation expenses and legal fees."

That amount is Hanover's share of equitable distribution from the marital estate and is separate from child support and other assets, Brezinsky said.

Brezinsky also confirmed that Hanover will have residential custody of the divorced couple's two children, Andrew, 16, and Caroline, 12, and she has final decision-making authority regarding them.

"This was a spectacular win for Donna and the children," Brezinsky said.

Other divorce lawyers agreed. Suzanne Kimberly Bracker called the agreement "an outrageously good deal for Donna. She never would have gotten this much money had she gone to trial."

Giuliani, 58, had filed for divorce on October 20, 2000, charging Hanover with cruelty. Hanover, in her own filing last month, blamed the ex-mayor's "open and notorious adultery" for the split.

Giuliani frequently appears publicly with Judith Nathan, his current girlfriend. Hanover, 52, also had accused Giuliani of an affair with a former staffer, who denied any sexual impropriety.