Uptown is abuzz with shocking news from Portugal, hears.
José Castelo Branco — a veteran of the fashion scene and one-half of what may be society’s oddest couple — was chucked in a jail cell in the Iberian nation earlier this month after he was accused of assaulting his 95-year-old wife, diamond heiress Betty Grafstein.
Castelo Branco, 61, says it’s a bum rap.
One reason the couple has raised eyebrows on the gala circuit for years is that they share a wardrobe.
Castelo Branco — whose 2008 album, “Oui, C’est Moi,” garnered him moderate success in Portugal, and he’s appeared on various “Big Brother”-style shows there — identifies as a man but is often thought to be a woman because of his clothing and makeup.
Another reason is that he’s 34 years younger than her.
Castelo Branco told the US Sun last year that strangers tell him, “I’m living on her money, I can’t wait for her to die. I get the most and real bullying.” Grafstein added of claims that he’s exploiting her, “Oh, [they’re] terrible.”
Grafstein was married to Albert Grafstein — who ran Grafstein Diamond Corp. with his brother — in the 1960s.
The couple bought a home in Portugal, where Betty met Castelo Branco after Albert’s death.
Castelo Branco — who is often associated with Factory and Club Kid dramatis personae, such as Amanda Lepore and Susanne Bartsch — and Betty married in 1996.
According to Portugal Resident, Grafstein was admitted to a hospital in the picturesque town of Cascais last month with “various conditions.”
Grafstein “is understood to have asked hospital staff to ‘save her’ from her husband’s mistreatment,” and he was arrested May 7.
The outlet added that Castelo Branco has been released but is “barred from visiting his wife.”
Still, he’s “posted numerous clips over social media, asking his thousands of followers to ‘pray for her.’ ”
Castelo Branco didn’t get back to us.
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