Actress Lan Phuong has won her divorce case, with an appeals court upholding a previous ruling that grants her full custody of her two daughters. On 6/5, the Supreme People's Court of Appeals in Hanoi rejected the appeal filed by her ex-husband, David Duffy, solidifying the decision made in September last year.
Duffy had sought custody of the children, aged 8 and 2, and alleged that Lan Phuong prevented him from seeing them. He maintained his appeal at the recent court session.
However, David Duffy's parents, who traveled from Australia and arrived in Vietnam on 24/4 to visit their grandchildren, testified in court. They confirmed their son regularly met with the children, refuting any claims of obstruction. Lan Phuong, for her part, requested that the initial verdict remain unchanged.
After several hours of deliberation, the court determined that both parents possess the financial means and capability to raise their children. Crucially, due to legal regulations, the youngest daughter, being under 36 months old, is prioritized to remain in the mother's care. The court also noted that separating the two sisters could negatively impact their psychological well-being.
Consequently, the appeals court dismissed David Duffy's appeal, affirming the initial judgment. Lan Phuong was granted direct custody of both children. Their father is now responsible for child support amounting to 40 million VND per month and retains visitation rights as stipulated by law.
Following the verdict, which is effective immediately, Lan Phuong expressed her happiness. She stated her willingness to accommodate all of her ex-husband's visitation requests but imposed a condition: he must not enter her home and can only interact with the children in the building's lobby.
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Lan Phuong after hearing the court's decision on the morning of 6/5. *Photo: Nguyen An* |
Lan Phuong announced her divorce in July last year, concluding a seven-year marriage. She cited a desire to find balance for herself and her two children after a tiring period.
During the initial trial, the actress recounted meeting David in 2017 and marrying one year later. She testified that after opening a coffee shop in 2021, she faced frequent criticism from her husband. Furthermore, while she was pregnant with their second child, David moved to Da Nang for work, despite her wish for the family to stay together. She even relocated with her children to Da Nang and changed their schools to reunite, but her husband provided minimal support in family care.
David Duffy, conversely, denied accusations of mental abuse, excessive technological control, or infidelity. He attributed their conflicts to his wife's postpartum depression.
Initially, David opposed the divorce but ultimately agreed to end the marriage after his wife's court testimony. Both parents expressed a desire for direct custody and affirmed their financial capability and commitment to their children's care.
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Actress Lan Phuong at 43 years old. *Photo: Supplied* |
Born in Hanoi in 1983, Lan Phuong moved to TP HCM with her family during high school. She is an alumna of Foreign Trade University (Campus 2) and the Ho Chi Minh City College of Theater and Cinema. Her notable acting credits include "Co gai xau xi" (2008), "Nhung thien than ao trang" (2009), "Nhung dua con biet dong Sai Gon" (2010), "Ca mot doi an oan" (2017), "Nang dau order", and "Thuong ngay nang ve". Her filmography also features "Scandal" (2012), "Co dau dai chien" part two (2013), "Co gai den tu hom qua" (2017), "Thang nam ruc ro" (2018), and "Tet o lang dia nguc" (2023).
Ha Thu
