Christie Brinkley: Case Closed!
Christie Brinkley (Associated Press)
Looks like I won’t be taking any more trips to Long Island anytime soon. Christie Brinkley and Peter Cook’s divorce trial was settled today. Brinkley gets sole custody, while Cook gets “parenting time” and a $2.1 million payout from Brinkley.
As a reporter, I found it fascinating to be inside the courtroom for Brinkley’s testimony. I saw her cry several times on the stand as she talked about the end of their marriage. Cook seemed composed during Brinkley’s testimony, but he sobbed on the stand when admitting to use of internet sex sites.
This was an interesting case to follow, but for the sake of their children, ages 10 and 13, I’m glad it’s over. FOX talked to New York divorce attorney Stacy Schneider (who is not involved in this case) for expert insight. She tells us, “It seems [Brinkley’s] strong arm humiliation tactics unfortunately worked for her – but it wasn’t in best interest of the children in the long run. Could be very damaging that their father was humiliated that way.”
Brinkley says today is a “very bittersweet moment, because it really is the death of a marriage.”
I’ll be reporting on this story all day on FOX News Channel, so tune in for more scoop.
Jill Dobson joined FOX News Channel in 2007 as an entertainment correspondent. She has covered stories from the birth of Angelina Jolie's twins; American Idol auditions; and interviewed Madonna on turning 50. Dobson also has an FNC web program entitled, Food Fight, where she covers the latest in celebrity news. 
Its great to see a high profile divorce trial end happily and on the right foot. I guess they settled it all for the childrens sake. At the end of the day, that is all the really matters.
quite a story
Another reason could have been the bombshell evidence they were planning to present as evidence today, that could be another reason why they settled.
Brinkley didn’t want to go to court. It was Cook who wanted to break the PreNup and get half of the property and her money. She says NO. So he went the Custody route to get the money. Brinkley earned her money, she supported Cook. She did what she had to do. Plus knowing that he would be watched by the public, you think he would behave himeself until after the divorce? Apparently he still carried on his non-parenting ways. To the point off accepting a deal of only $2.1 millon. Please! His life style and barely working, if working at all. Cook would go through that in less then a year. Brinkley clearly won this “chicken game”. Cook was the stupid one. I also love the media and public claiming she was hurting the kids, PLEASE! The kids would of know or heard the story in time. Or spectulation of the story. Tabloids attack everyone true or not true. Good parenting will do just fine. Please would any one out there want Peter Cook with custody of his kids??? Let alone babysit any one unsupervised? NO. Brinkley may not have good luck with marriage, but who’s to say it’s forever. You can not for-see future problems. We don’t live in their world.
Cook and a court-appointed advocate for the children wanted the divorce trial closed to the public.
Brinkley fought for an “open and public hearing.”
Looks like she got everything she wanted!
Great reporting, FOX News.