A veteran New York attorney shared her heartache after her 20-year-old financier left her out of the blue while another woman was in lockdown — allegedly telling her he didn’t want custody of their children.
Flobelle “Belle” Fairbanks Burden says her husband, Henry Davis, announced he wanted to end their marriage while they sought shelter from COVID on their $4.7 million Martha’s Vineyard vacation in spring 2020.
In a heartbreaking article for The New York Times, the 54-year-old described the moment she, Davis and their two younger children, then aged 15 and 12, sought shelter from the pandemic on the island.
Upon arrival on March 15, 2020, Burden, a New York-based attorney who is a descendant of railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, described the stability and routine the family had in escaping lockdown, initially describing the experience as ” lovely”.
Flobelle “Belle” Fairbanks Burden (R) claims her husband Henry Davis (C) announced he wanted to end their marriage, was having an affair and didn’t want custody of the children. They were pictured with Burden’s stepmother, Susan Burden, in 2008 – the couple’s only known picture together
Burden says her marriage fell apart while she took refuge in her $4.7 million Martha’s Vineyard shelter (pictured) in the early days of COVID in March 2020
But all of that fell apart when she found out her estranged husband was in a secret relationship.
Burden wrote: “A week later on March 22 at 6am my husband told me he wanted a divorce. He packed his bag, got into his jeep and boarded a ferry. We were married almost 21 years.
“When he reached New York City, he laid out his story: He thought he wanted our lives, but he didn’t.” He thought he was happy, but he wasn’t. A switch had been flipped. He didn’t want our house or our apartment. He didn’t want custody of our children.
In the insightful article, she claims he “bought a swanky new Manhattan apartment, hired a well-known divorce lawyer,” and treated her with “a consistent lack of empathy or sentimentality.”
Burden claimed the split stunned her, recounting how the year before she and her former husband happily planted blueberry bushes in the garden of the posh estate, in a haze of what she thought was idyllic and marital bliss.
She detailed the routine they established during the placement and said the family was “delighted to use the off-season multimillion-dollar island getaway.”
Burden, who also lives in a multimillion-dollar Tribeca loft, learned of the affair from a voice message left by the other woman’s husband on March 21.
“I’m sorry to inform you that your husband is having an affair with my wife,” he said.
In a heartbreaking article for The New York Times, the 54-year-old described the moment she, Davis and their two younger children, then aged 15 and 12, sought shelter from the pandemic on the island
In the revealing article, she claims he “bought a swanky new Manhattan apartment, hired a well-known divorce lawyer,” and treated her with a “continued lack of empathy or sentimentality.”
Burden recounted how she found out Davis had been unfaithful, writing: “There was another woman, as often happens when men leave.”
Burden married Henry Patterson Davis in June 1999 at her stepmother Susan’s home in Water Mill, NY after the two met at a corporate law firm.
Their marriage was announced in The New York Times – the same publication where Burden decided to detail the implosion in harrowing detail.
She said Davis’ “steadfastness” made her fall in love with him and that he resembled her father, Carter Burden, who served as a New York City councilman from 1969-1978.
“He was tall, blond, and slim, a silhouette similar to my father’s.” He wore suits and rolled up his shirt sleeves to work. “He was an adult,” she recalled.
“When he came into my office, closed the door and kissed me, I was exhausted.”
Burden claimed that within weeks of the kiss, the then in love Davis “had had intentions of marrying her”.
“I promise to take care of myself and take on my dead father’s role as my protector.” And we got married within a year, both of us (I still think) very much in love.”
The Harvard University-educated attorney said she was left behind the year she turned 50, the same age that Davis “reached the pinnacle of professional success.”
But Burden hinted at a different side of her husband, saying he had a “rebellious past” that included “running into the law” and a string of broken romances – which she says even led some women to pursue Davis.
Burden is the daughter of the late Carter Burden (left) and New York socialite Amanda Burden (right), pictured on their wedding day in 1964
Amanda (left) penned a post congratulating her daughter (right) and captioned the picture: “A great story by a great author.” “My amazing daughter”
She complained about the isolation she felt and noted the cold demeanor of her husband, who admitted it had made her lose weight.
“I decided not to drink because I knew it would make me sadder, but I also had a hard time eating,” she said.
“In a matter of weeks I had lost 20 pounds, the self I had come to know over two decades of pregnancy and family life.”
Burden admitted she also found it hard to understand Davis’ decision to blow up their decades-long marriage, but said she found closure.
“I sometimes see him from afar in our common neighborhood,” she said.
“He looks familiar, his stance and walk, his sandy blond hair and orange sneakers, and my heart skips a little at the sight of him.” But then I remember that he’s a stranger and I walk on. “
A single image of the couple remains online alongside Burden’s stepmother while they attended the New Yorkers for Children’s Fall 2008 Gala.
Burden is the daughter of the late Carter Burden and New York socialite Amanda Burden – who posted a screenshot congratulating her daughter after the article.
“A great story by a great author.” “My amazing daughter,” she captioned the post.
Davis is still being followed online by mutual family members, but has not been seen commenting on the article on social media or otherwise.
Burden (pictured) admitted she also found it hard to understand Davis’ decision to blow up their decades-long marriage, but said she’s found closure
Burden has a long Harvard legacy and graduated with honors from New York University.
The Burden family has a long history with Harvard and several buildings have been donated in their name.
In an article about Burden’s legacy, Nitin Nohria, who served as dean from 2010 to 2020, said, “For 50 years, the Burden family has supported Harvard University and Harvard Business School with both their wealth and their wisdom.”
“We are honored to preserve the family’s philanthropic legacy through the commitment of Burden Park, the Burden Family Fellowship Foundation and the Baker Library Collection on the Business Aspects of Aviation.”
“Each of these gifts ensures that the philanthropic leadership of Mrs Burden, her sons and family will never be forgotten. “We are deeply grateful to the family for their generosity and vision.”
has reached out to Burden, Davis and other family members for further comment.