The Portuguese public prosecutor's office has charged socialite and television personality José Castelo Branco with domestic violence against his 95-year-old wife, British-American diamond
heiress Betty Grafstein. According to authorities, Castelo Branco is accused of subjecting Grafstein to decades of abuse, a claim formally announced on Monday.
The case gained public attention in May when Grafstein was hospitalized following a fall at their home in Sintra, near Lisbon. The fall allegedly occurred after Castelo Branco, 61, pushed her. Medical staff at the hospital filed the initial complaint, prompting an investigation into the celebrity art dealer, known for his frequent appearances on Portuguese television, often in drag. Castelo Branco was briefly detained but has denied all allegations. Grafstein has since returned to the United States.
Prosecutors Detail Allegations of Long-Term Abuse
According to the prosecutor's office, Castelo Branco and Grafstein married in November 1996, and the abuse allegedly began early in their marriage. "The suspect is accused of physically and verbally mistreating the victim, causing her physical and emotional harm, instilling fear, and exploiting her vulnerability due to her age and their marital relationship," the statement read.
The indictment includes details of the May incident, which prosecutors claim is part of a long pattern of behavior intended to harm Grafstein's physical and mental health. Castelo Branco and his legal team have not yet responded publicly to the charges.
Grafstein’s Background and Connection to Portugal
Betty Grafstein, born Elizabeth Larner in Britain, immigrated to the United States in the 1940s. She married Albert Grafstein, a prominent diamond trader, and later inherited his business after his death in 1991. The couple had purchased a home in Portugal during the 1970s, where Grafstein eventually relocated.
The case has sparked widespread attention in Portugal, with many expressing concern over the alleged abuse of an elderly woman by a high-profile figure. Further legal proceedings are expected to shed more light on the allegations and Castelo Branco’s defense. Photo by Dickelbers, Wikimedia commons.
