by SAVIOUS KWINIKA
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – IT all began with Moroccan and Paris Saint-Germain football star, Achraf Hakimi.
His decision to register his fortune in his mother’s name sent shockwaves across the sport and celebrity world.
The move, which came to light during his divorce proceedings with Spanish-Tunisian actress, Hiba Abouk, has since ignited heated debate on marriage, wealth, trust and what some describe as the rise of “gold-digger-proof” strategies among high-profile men.
Hakimi’s Bold Gamble
Hakimi’s marriage to Abouk in 2020 appeared glamorous from the outside, but behind the scenes, the footballer suspected financial motives early on. Just two months into the union, Hakimi reportedly began shifting all his assets—including properties, cars, and even his football income—into his mother’s name.
When Abouk filed for divorce in 2023, she was stunned to learn that her husband legally owned nothing. Courts revealed that the 26-year-old star’s entire wealth was under the control of his mother, a trusted figure Hakimi later described as the only person he believed could safeguard his hard-earned success.
“She carried me for nine months and sacrificed everything for me. My mother can never betray me,” Hakimi said in a post-divorce reflection. “Friends can betray you, wives can betray you, but a mother’s love is supreme.”
His action saved millions from potentially being included in a divorce settlement and has since become a reference point for other celebrities.
Asamoah Gyan: A Ghanaian Lesson
Hakimi’s case is not unique. Ghanaian football legend, Asamoah Gyan, faced a similar storm during his high-profile divorce. Reports suggested that during court proceedings, Gyan appeared to have just £600 in his bank account despite his status as one of Africa’s most celebrated strikers.
His wife, Gifty Oware, allegedly demanded not only the couple’s matrimonial home but also half of several properties across Accra and beyond, including luxury residences, a printing press in Dubai and high-end vehicles such as a Rolls Royce Phantom and Mercedes Benz fleet.
Beyond properties and cars, Gifty reportedly sought stakes in Gyan’s businesses—Baby Jet Airlines, Paradise Pac Drinking Water, Baby Jet Boxing Promotions, and more. However, much of Gyan’s empire had already been transferred into his brother’s name, shielding it from division.
Many African men praised Gyan for protecting the legacy he built through sweat and years of sacrifice. “Wise men learn from other people’s mistakes,” one fan remarked online.
African Men Respond
The Hakimi and Gyan divorces have sparked conversations about trust, love, and marriage across the continent.
Some men view Hakimi’s decision as foresight. “Women are hard to please,” said Zimbabwean commentator Alfandikaa Manzunzu, stressing that men often lose focus in marriages when faced with unrealistic demands.
Others, like Nigerian fan Iwundu Uche, hailed the Moroccan as a role model: “Wise men learn from the scars of others.”
Critics, however, argue that painting women as opportunistic overlooks genuine marriages built on love. Wealth-protection strategies, they warn, risk creating marriages rooted in suspicion rather than trust.
Not Just Africa: Global Lessons
The financial risks of divorce extend far beyond Africa. Some of the world’s wealthiest men have seen their fortunes split in settlements:
Jeff Bezos:-, Amazon founder, handed over $38 billion to ex-wife MacKenzie Scott in 2019.
Bill Gates:- Parted ways with $76 billion when he and Melinda divorced in 2021, the most expensive divorce in history.
Among footballers, divorce has been equally costly:
Emmanuel Eboué:- Lost his children and all his English properties.
Thierry Henry: Paid £10 million to his ex-wife.
Ryan Giggs: Parted with £40 million, while Louis Saha, Wes Brown, and David James saw their fortunes crumble post-divorce.
Zimbabwean forward:- Tendai Ndoro reportedly lost everything after registering all assets under his wife’s name—only to be kicked out with nothing. He passed away in South Africa this week.
The list, stretching from Jamie Redknapp to Ray Parlour, underscores a sobering reality: even the most successful athletes and entertainers are vulnerable when marriages collapse.
Culture, Wealth, and Distrust
Experts argue that the rising trend of shielding wealth reflects deeper cultural anxieties. In many African societies, men are often the primary breadwinners, and divorce settlements—particularly when assets are split—are seen as stripping men of the very foundations they worked to build.
Yet critics caution that the narrative is one-sided. While Hakimi’s story paints Abouk as a “gold digger,” others point out that women often sacrifice careers and opportunities to support their husbands, and compensation after divorce is not simply about greed but recognition of those sacrifices.
Hakimi Speaks Out
In rare comments after his divorce, Hakimi defended his controversial choice:
“When you have money, your mother will save it for you so you can always have this money… She will never wish harm upon me or upon my siblings,” Hakimi explained.
The footballer added that his suspicions about Abouk’s intentions grew when she hinted that she could file for divorce and claim half of his wealth at any time. From that moment, he said, he knew he had to act.
“When she filed for divorce and demanded half my wealth, I was unbothered,” Hakimi recalled. “She wept in court not because we were divorcing, but because she left empty-handed.”
The Debate Continues
The Hakimi saga has left many questions hanging. Should marriage be built on trust or legal safeguards? Are wealth-protection strategies necessary caution or a sign of deep-rooted distrust in modern relationships?
What is clear, however, is that high-profile divorces are reshaping how athletes and celebrities approach marriage.
From prenups to asset transfers, many are adopting strategies that ensure their fortunes remain intact—regardless of love lost.
For some, Hakimi’s story is a warning. For others, it is a lesson in survival. But for all, it remains a reminder of the fragile intersection between love and money.
– CAJ News
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