Divorcee 'can't live on $63 million'

A 36-year-old Swedish countess divorcing a former CEO amid accusations of extramarital affairs is arguing she has too many expenses and cannot live on a mere $US43 million ($A63.16 million).

Marie Douglas-David, a former investment banker, says she has no income and needs her 67-year-old husband, George David, to pay her more than $US53,000 ($A80,000) a week - more than most US households make in a year - to cover her expenses.

David stepped down last year as chief executive at Hartford-based United Technologies Corp but is still chairman of the board and has an estimated net worth of $US329 million ($A497 million). He and his wife accuse each other of extramarital affairs, and their divorce trial started on Wednesday.

"I'm just very sad that we are where we are," Douglas-David said. "I hope we resolve this soon so everybody can move on with their lives."

David briefly took the stand on Wednesday. Asked if his marriage is irretrievably broken, he answered simply, "Yes."

David and Douglas-David married in 2002, but the couple was in trouble by 2004, court papers show. Amid a series of reconciliations, the duo signed a postnuptial agreement in October 2005 that would give her $US43 million ($A63.16 million) when they divorced.

Douglas-David wants the agreement invalidated. She accused her husband of coercing her to sign it by preying upon her fears of being divorced and childless. She's asking to be awarded about $US100 million ($A151 million) in cash and stock, plus $US130,000 ($A196,400) a month in alimony.

David is asking a judge to uphold the agreement and order Douglas-David to vacate their Park Avenue apartment but keep their properties in Sweden. His attorneys asked for a separate hearing on Wednesday on the document's validity, but the judge declined.

Douglas-David has filed court papers showing she has more than $US53,800 ($A79,024.68) in weekly expenses, which include maintaining a Park Avenue apartment and three residences in Sweden. Her weekly expenses also include $US700 ($A1,028.2) for limousine service, $US4,500 ($A6,609.87) for clothes, $US1,000 ($A1,468.86) for hair and skin treatments, $US1,500 ($A2,203.29) for restaurants and entertainment, and $US8,000 ($A11,750.88) for travel.

At that rate, Douglas-David would burn through $US43 million ($A63.16 million) in less than 16 years.

Anne Dranginis, an attorney for David and retired Connecticut Appellate Court judge, predicted that Douglas-David will get much less money in the divorce if she doesn't accept the terms of the postnuptial.

In court papers, Douglas-David said she quit her job as an investment banker for Lazard Asset Management to travel and entertain with David, who still earns $US1 million a year from United Technologies. While chief executive in 2007, David made nearly $US27 million ($A39.66 million) in salary and bonuses.

Douglas-David's legal team includes prominent New York divorce attorney William Beslow, who represented Mia Farrow in her child-custody suit against actor-director Woody Allen and Marla Maples in her divorce from Donald Trump.

United Technologies is the parent company of Carrier, which makes air conditioning units, and Otis Elevators.

David is expected to return to the stand on Thursday for several days of testimony.