TV bride wants out

Happy day? Darva Conger and Rick Rockwell tie the knot

Darva Conger, who won a US TV competition to marry a multi-millionaire, is trying to end her marriage.

Rick Rockwell chose Conger to be his wife from among 50 contestants on a controversial TV show called Who Wants to Marry a Multimillionaire? last month.

Big mistake: Darva Conger wants a divorce

The 34-year-old nurse has now filed an annulment petition at Las Vegas District Court saying that her wedding was a fraud, and her husband hadn't mentioned a "history of problems" with women.

In court papers she says the marriage was never consummated and she and Rockwell barely saw each other on their Caribbean honeymoon.

"Neither the contestants nor the show's producers seriously contemplated creating a proper marriage," she added.

Rockwell, 42, and Conger married on the spot in Las Vegas during the Fox TV special on 15 February, watched by 22 million viewers.

Revelations

Despite the high ratings, Fox cancelled a repeat of the show and a sequel after it was disclosed that a former fiancee took out a restraining order against Rockwell in 1991 for allegedly hitting and threatening her. He denied the allegations.

Conger said in court papers that Fox misrepresented Rockwell's personality and background.

Disappointed: Property developer Rick Rockwell

She said she was unaware that Rockwell "had a history of problems with his prior girlfriends and was the subject of at least one restraining order for threatening and dangerous behaviour".

Conger, who has since been fired from her job in a Los Angeles hospital, and Rockwell both signed an agreement before the show that they could annul the marriage.

Rockwell said he was "disappointed" that Conger would include the allegations of violence.

"She's already said that she wanted out after 36 hours," he said. "I don't understand why she would need to cite these 10 and 20-year-old accusations. I'm at a loss here."

"I still wish her well," he said. "And if she takes the time to get to know me, she'll find me to be a kind and considerate person."