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Imran blames politics for divorce with Jemima
Imran Khan has clarified that politics and not Hugh Grant was to be blamed for the collapse of his marriage to Jemima Khan.
Imran Khan broke his silence to clarify that politics and not popular British actor Hugh Grant was to be blamed for the collapse of his marriage to Jemima Khan. When the two were divorced in June, rumours floated that her seeing Grant incensed and hurt Imran and that precipitated the divorce. She was repeatedly pictured going to clubs and parties with Grant even before the June divorce. But, Imran had then called reports that he was hurt by her alleged romance with Grant "nonsense".
Recently Jemima, 30, and Grant, 43, were seen strolling hand in hand in Saint-Paul Vence in the south of France. There were reports too that they were seen going to two London jewellers allegedly to buy a wedding ring.
Imran, 50, now seems to be philosophical about their relationship. He is quoted saying: "Jemima is obviously a very attractive woman and I knew she would meet someone new and find a new life."
Asked how would he feel if Jemima married Grant, he said: " I would wish her the greatest happiness. She must make her own choices in life." Recalling that when he married Jemima nine years ago, her father famously said that he would make "a wonderful first husband", Imran told Hello! magazine, "He wasn't the only one. Practically, everyone I met said it wouldn't be possible with the age gap and the difference in cultures. I didn't notice the age gap because she was very intelligent and much more mature than girls of her age because of her unconventional upbringing."
Imran also added: "Jemima married a romantic, an idealist, a man with big dreams. She did not marry a London socialite, some lounge lizard or man who lived simply to make money."
He also blames the break-up on the merciless attacks on himself and Jemima after he set up his Tehreek-e-Insaf party. Their friends also say that Jemima's lonely life in Islamabad along with the paternity suit by Sita White over recognition of alleged his daughter Tyrian, 12, were partly to blame.
Imran has admitted that because he was attacking the corrupt elite his wife became a "soft target". Because of her Jewish blood, he said, " she was accused of being part of a Zionist conspiracy to take over Pakistan. I thought this was so absurd that I did not even take it seriously but it took a big toll on her."
He hinted that problems between them began when he had to pull her out of politics so as to shield her from absurd attacks. "We were spending time apart. That then exacerbated the problem of cross-cultural marriage and she inevitably missed her friends, family and home more than she might have."
There has been no financial settlement but a joint custody arrangement has been agreed over their two sons. They will spend their holidays with him in Pakistan and will also be with him when he is in London. Hindustan Times learnt that Imran often comes here to be with them.
He has denied that he has any woman in his life and says he may not ever marry again. He also revealed that he has spoken to Jemima only twice since the divorce.
