Donald Trump's ex-wife Marla Maples blames business tycoon's immense wealth for the collapse of their marriage.

The former model, 40 - who signed a prenuptial agreement which granted her under $5 million (GBP2.77 million) after her separation from Trump in 1997 - struggled to combine her lifestyle with her entrepreneur's "extremely driven" approach to life.

Maples says, "The divorce was very difficult. There were times long before our marriage when I would just cry.

"Many, many times I was in tears.

"It was hard for me to find a balance between who I was and what I wanted in my life.

"I was in my twenties when Donald and I met and although my behaviour may have been typical at that age, my lifestyle was anything but.

"The money made it hard for me and Donald to have the time for a relationship. It was very difficult to work on us and the marriage.

"It should come as no surprise that Donald is extremely driven and thrives on that lifestyle.

"I, however, need time to be alone and just have some down time for myself.

"Our world did not allow for very much private time or much quiet time."

28/07/2004 21:16