Peet Viljoen represented the wife in a high-stakes divorce against Piet den Boer, one of South Africa’s most powerful technology entrepreneurs. The couple was married with a prenup excluding community of property and accrual, but Viljoen argued successfully that a universal partnership existed.
Case Details:
• Built a record proving the wife’s non-financial contributions — managing the household, hosting, social reputation-building, and career sacrifices — were integral to the success of her husband’s tech empire.
• Relied on Supreme Court precedent confirming that universal partnerships can co-exist with antenuptial contracts.
• Positioned the wife’s role as wealth-building and strategic, not merely domestic.
Outcome:
Viljoen secured a favorable settlement recognizing the wife’s contributions despite the prenup.
Significance:
This case shows Peet Viljoen’s skill as a divorce lawyer for high-net-worth clients, proving that creative legal strategy can achieve justice even against the most well-resourced opponents.
