Actor Melissa George selling New York apartment amid custody battle revelations

Australian actor Melissa George has listed her apartment in the FlatIron district of New York for sale, amid revelations of an unravelling custody battle with her ex-partner. 

The sale comes after an emotional interview aired this week in which she admitted she was struggling financially as she fought to secure the custody of her two children from French entrepreneur Jean David Blanc. 

Her personal woes made headlines in the media when it was revealed she tried to take her children, Raphael, 3, and Solal, 1, to the United States on a private jet.

George said she has missed out on work that required travel to Los Angeles as she did not want to leave her children, and is unable to take them with her.

In order to support herself she said she was being forced to “sell everything”.

The interior of Melissa George’s art deco apartment now on the market. Photo: ScottParks International Realty.

The outdoor area of the apartment in the FlatIron district of New York. Photo: ScottParks International Realty. 

The New York property she has listed for sale is an apartment she had owned with a previous partner, film director Claudio Dabed, whose share she bought out in June last year. It was listed as a fully-furnished rental in August for $US14,000 ($18,200) a month. 

They had bought the one-bedroom pre-war apartment in the 141 Fifth Avenue building in 2010, for $US1.8 million ($2.34 million).  It’s now on the market for $US2,995,000.

The property comes with two bathrooms, a walk-in wardrobe, 3.35-metre ceilings and a 46-square-metre outdoor terrace.  

The kitchen. Photo: ScottParks International Realty.

The building exterior. Photo: ScottParks International Realty.

George parted ways with Blanc after a violent attack in September last year.

Blanc allegedly pushed her into a door, struck her face, slammed her head into a metal hatstand before smacking her in the mouth and standing over her saying: “Now you’re a real actress.” 

Both were found guilty of assault and are now both appealing the convictions.

Jean-David Blanc and Melissa George prior to their split. Photo: Getty Images

After making her name as the character of Angel in Australia in the Channel 7 soap opera Home and Away, George had success in the US with roles in Alias, In Treatment, Grey’s Anatomy, The Good Wife and the US version of The Slap. She was most recently appearing in the medical drama Heartbeat.

Support is available by phoning National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service 1800 737 732; Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491.