A few days ago I blogged about Christie Brinkley’s surprise split from her husband of 10 years Peter Cook. At the time of the announcement no reason was given for Brinkley’s decision to file for divorce. Now, a New York newspaper says it has uncovered the reason why Brinkley kicked her husband out of their Hampton mansion.
The New York Post reports that Cook has been having an affair with a 19-year-old who he allegedly promised he would dump his supermodel wife for. But, that’s just the beginning of what the paper reports is a long list of “poor decisions” made by the 47-year-old architect. Apparently, Cook promised Diana Bianchi (who just graduated from Southampton High School a few weeks ago) that he would help “boost her singing career” and gave her “bundles of cash so she could move out of her parents’ home.”
According to the paper, Bianchi first caught Cook’s eye last summer while she was working in a toy store (he stopped in to purchase a gift). Sources say Cook continued to visit Bianchi over the summer, and eventually offered the “petite, shapely woman a job at his architectural firm.” The paper says, Bianchi accepted and “the relationship blossomed.” Sources say, months into the relationship, “Bianchi’s stepfather found out about their affair, and confronted Cook, telling him it was inappropriate and should end.” Initially Cook agreed, but according to the New York Post, within weeks the couple “rekindled their romance.”
Sources said Brinkley got wise to Cook’s relationship with the much-younger woman when Bianchi’s stepfather approached her at (ironically), Bianchi’s high school graduation where Brinkley just happened to be booked as a speaker.
Soon afterward, the paper reports a “disbelieving Brinkley confirmed the allegations by having a computer expert check Cook’s computer, where salacious e-mails between him and the sultry, brunette Bianchi were found.”
But wait there’s another twist in this tawdry tale. Bianchi’s family has now retained a lawyer to “protect” their teenage daughter who they claim was a “victim” of Cook’s. The lawyer maintains that Cook is a predator “who preyed on (Bianchi’s) naiveté, her immaturity, the fact that she’s 19.There’s just so many things wrong with what this guy did.”
In addition to the potential legal action that may be taken against Cook for his “conduct toward Bianchi,” the girl’s family also retained an attorney because she could be “a witness in Brinkley’s and Cook’s divorce that includes battling over $60 million-plus in property.”
In the meantime, it is reported that Brinkley is currently in L.A. caring for a sick parent and coming to grips with the fact that her husband allegedly cheated on her with a female who is younger than her eldest daughter Alexa (whom she fathered with ex-husband Billy Joel).