Keiko Fujimoto is famously known as convicted fraud Sunny Balwani's ex-wife. She is a Japanese artist who filed for divorce in 2002. Fujimoto was no longer connected to Balwani when he was charged with fraud and faced a 13-year prison sentence.
Sunny Balwani, a convicted fraud, was once married to Keiko Fujimoto. She was his only known wife until the early 2000s when he met another woman, Elizabeth Holmes.
Balwani and Holmes crossed paths in China in 2002, shortly after she dropped out of school at Stanford. Although the exact start date of their romance remains unknown, the businessman was officially single by October 2004.
Sunny Balwani exits federal court in San Jose, California, on April 22, 2019. | Source: Getty Images
A record of his purchased Palo Alto condominium noted his new civil status, and less than a year later, Holmes moved into the unit.
Keiko Fujimoto Participated in a San Francisco Open Studio Art Event
There are only a few known details about Fujimoto besides her Japanese heritage and career as an artist. Fujimoto lived in San Francisco while she was married to her then-husband.
Fujimoto and Balwani met while he was working at Microsoft as a sales manager for Northern California. In 1999, he left his job selling the company's products and became the president of CommerceBid.com.
Although Balwani kept his relationship under wraps, it appears Fujimoto found fulfillment in her career and gained exposure as an artist in the city.
After studying computer science at the University of Texas, he joined the tech industry and worked hard to make ends meet.
She found success in the USA and participated in exhibitions. According to the studio that hosted her paintings, Fujimoto had her work showcased at SOMA Artist Studios in San Francisco in 2013, alongside creations of Jessica Allee, David Bryand, Kat Flynn, and more.
Sunny Balwani at a federal court in San Jose, California, on Wednesday, October 2, 2019. | Source: Getty Images
Keiko Fujimoto Filed for Divorce
Since her relationship was private, little is known about her life with Balwani. She decided to end her marriage on February 14, 2002, and filed for divorce. Their union was officially dissolved on December 31, 2002.
The reason for their divorce remains unknown. Some speculate it had something to do with Balwani meeting Holmes not long before.
What Is Known about Keiko Fujimoto's Ex-husband?
Balwani was born to a Hindi family in Pakistan but eventually moved to India and the USA. After studying computer science at the University of Texas, he joined the tech industry and worked hard to make ends meet.
Sunny Balwani at federal court in San Jose, California, on Wednesday, December 7, 2022. | Source: Getty Images
Holmes received a sentence of a little over 11 years. Her story has since been turned into a book, documentary, and critically acclaimed television series, "The Dropout."
He became famous amongst business owners when he co-founded Theranos, where he served as the COO. Balwani's company, which he started with Holmes, promised state-of-the-art technology to detect diseases with only a few drops of blood.
Years after launching the company, the pair were charged with fraud over a multi-million dollar scheme to defraud investors. Although they denied the allegations, Elizabeth was found guilty in 2011.
Elizabeth Holmes and Alan Murray at the Fortune Global Forum at the Fairmont Hotel on November 2, 2015, in San Francisco, California. | Source: Getty Images
While testifying in court, Holmes revealed she was in a relationship with Balwani, a man about two decades older. She accused him of assault and controlling her throughout the relationship, allegations he vehemently denied.
By the end of 2022, Balwani faced a nearly 13-year prison sentence for his role in the fraudulent scheme. Meanwhile, Holmes received a sentence of a little over 11 years. Her story has since been turned into a book, documentary, and critically acclaimed television series, "The Dropout."
Like Balwani's famous case, other stars have been charged with fraud in the US, including reality star Todd Chrisley and his wife, Julie Chrisley, who both face prison sentences.
ncG1vNJzZmimlazAb63MqKSapZFjsLC5jm1nampjZnqsscikpmaepZ%2B2rrvTqGSiq12Wu26t0a2grKxdm66kwNJmmJunpal7qcDMpQ%3D%3D