A woman from the southeastern United States has been ordered to pay $2.6 million (USD 1.7 million) after a jury concluded she was responsible for breaking up a couple’s marriage.

This legal battle unfolded in Durham County Court, North Carolina, where Brenay Kennard, a social media influencer with nearly 3 million TikTok followers and 274,000 Instagram followers, faced accusations. The lawsuit alleged that she engaged in an affair with her manager, Tim Montague.

“Justice has been served for my client, who lost both her husband and the father of her children,” stated Robonetta Jones, the attorney representing Akira Montague, the ex-wife of Tim Montague.

In response to the verdict, Kennard criticized the decision, arguing that Akira Montague was aware of the failing marriage and had permitted the relationship.

“She gave her consent,” Kennard asserted. “She acknowledged the marriage was over and accepted it.”

According to Akira Montague, the affair was evident both in the manager’s residence and across Kennard’s social media platforms.

Tim Montague eventually left his wife for Kennard.

In previous North Carolina cases involving alienation of affection, plaintiffs have received millions of dollars.

They include a case In 2011, when Carol Puryear was ordered to receive $US30 million from Betty Devin. Carol Puryear was the former wife of Donald Puryear, who owns a trucking company.

The settlement is the largest of its kind in North Carolina history, according to court records.