Linda Evangelista requests $46,000/month child support

Gorj Canadian supermodel Linda Evangelista (46) is making headlines this week because she stood before the courts requesting that the father of her 4-year-old son Augustin James pay $46,000/month in child support.

Augustin's father is French billionaire Francois Henri-Pinault (49). If that name rings a bell it's because Francois is Salma Hayek's husband -- they have a 3-year-old daughter together, Valentina Paloma.

According to the New York Post, Linda went to the Manhattan family court on Monday to request the child support, and the Support Magistrate, Matthew Troy, said it was  "probably the largest support order in the history of the Family Court."

Why so much money? Francois is worth over $11 billion. BILLION. The monthly support (which amounts to $552,000 a year) would pay for drivers, serious security and a costly ($80,000/year) nanny. "When I work, it can be a 16-hour day," Linda argued. "On days when I do not work, I am working on my image," she added, referring to gym sessions, "beauty appointments," etc. -- "just like an athlete."

Thus far, Francois apparently hasn't paid a dime for Augustin. "He's just been sitting back, paying zero," her lawyer told the magistrate. Now that it's been made public that Francois is Augustin's father, Linda's taking action to protect her child and give him the lifestyle to which she feels he's entitled.

Though Francois' team is fighting with everything they've got against the request, the judge appeared to agree with Linda, stating, "These are the extraordinary expenses that may be a part of the child's life.... And if there is a trial, with a lot of publicity, there will probably be a need for two detectives to drive this kid around." He did not, however, agree to $7,500 vacation support.

Francois is CEO of the a conglomerate based in Paris that owns Gucci, Yves St. Laurent and Bottega Veneta. The secret that he was Augustin's father emerged just last month. Francois and Linda got together when he and Salma briefly split up, and Linda became pregnant with Augustin. Salma gave birth to Valentina in 2007, and they tied the knot in 2009.

For more specific deets on this outrageous case, check the New York Post article.

Crazy, eh, Gorgeouses? I'll keep you posted! It's ugly to see bitter, high-profile battles like this that centre around a young child's safety and well-being....

Love....

xo Haley-O