Belle Burden's divorce memoir, Strangers: A Memoir of a Marriage, has become a bestseller since its January release, propelled by Oprah Winfrey's endorsement and its portrayal of emotional cruelty. In a recent interview, Burden recounted her husband coldly leaving and later asking her to make him a sandwich, a moment that stunned Winfrey. The book has resonated with readers for its depiction of women being taken advantage of by their husbands.
However, a New Yorker investigation revealed significant omissions in Burden's financial narrative. Burden, an heiress on both sides, claimed her husband shielded his income in the divorce while threatening to pursue her for half the value of homes she bought with her own money, leaving her in dire straits. The investigation found that divorce documents show she reported $800,000 income in 2019, and she and her brother are joint beneficiaries of a $45m trust fund payable after their stepmother's death.
Despite these revelations, public opinion remains largely in Burden's favour. Many defenders argue that any omissions are justifiable narrative decisions, and that the fundamental story of a despicable husband remains unchanged. Burden has not commented on the claims, and her likability and apparent self-awareness continue to win support.
The controversy highlights the complexity of financial precariousness among the ultra-wealthy, where large sums can seem negligible after tax. While some question the book's relationship with the truth, others maintain that the emotional core of Burden's story—a woman wronged by her husband—remains intact.
