A British court has awarded an American model £53 million ($91.50 million) in a divorce settlement with a wealthy Saudi businessman.

Sheikh Walid Juffali divorced Christina Estrada under Islamic law in 2014. She went to court in Britain seeking £196 million to meet her "reasonable needs" - including £1 million ($1.7 million) a year for clothes.

Christina Estrada (L), with Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Lady Dalit Nuttall at the Films Without Borders launch at the St. Regis Hotel on April 24, 2012 in New York City. Credit:Getty

A judge gave her a lesser sum, but her lawyers say it is still by far "the largest needs award ever made by an English court".

Estrada, 54, who lives in Britain, says she appreciates that "the spectacular life Walid and I led was immensely fortunate and rarefied".

Walid Juffali and Christina Estrada attend the launch of the new elite West End nightclub Movida at Argyll Street June 8, 2005 in London. Credit:Getty IMages

Her 61-year-old ex-husband, who has terminal cancer, told the court that his wealth amounts to £113.8 million ($194.8 million), not the billions estimated by Estrada's lawyers.

AP