In the vibrant Armenian-American business community of Los Angeles, few entrepreneurial stories contain as many dramatic twists and turns as that of Ella Madatyan and her ex-husband Akop Torosian. Their relationship, once intertwined with family businesses and bakery empires, ultimately dissolved in a highly publicized divorce that continues to reverberate through legal battles and business disputes.
The Beginning of a Business Partnership
Ella Madatyan was born in Armenia and moved to America when she was just four years old. Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, she watched her father build multiple businesses from the ground up. Following in his entrepreneurial footsteps, Ella developed a keen interest in business operations. Her journey into the bakery business began in 2008 when her father asked her to help save a struggling bakery he had purchased.
This turnaround project became Papillon Bakery, which eventually expanded into a small empire with five locations throughout Los Angeles, including North Hollywood, Northridge, Hollywood, and two in Glendale. Under Ella’s leadership, the bakery became known for its blend of traditional Armenian pastries with modern twists and international flavors.
Ella married Akop Torosian, who was also involved in the bakery business. Court documents refer to him as “Akop (‘Jack’) Torosian.” The business relationship was complex, with Papillon International Bakery (officially registered as Glendale French Bakery, Inc.) becoming intertwined with family investments UniCourtUniCourt.
Family Business Entanglements
The bakery business wasn’t just about Ella and Akop. Court documents reveal that Akop’s brother, Robert Torosian, and his wife Marina Fermanyan also had business interests in Papillon, which consisted of five bakeries in the Los Angeles area. This family business arrangement would later become a source of significant legal conflict.
According to court filings, Akop and Ella reportedly entered into a partnership agreement for managing the bakery. Financial disagreements appear to have been part of the business relationship, with one complaint alleging that Akop and Ella presented other family members with the bakery’s tax returns showing minimal income.
The Marriage and Family Life
During their marriage, Ella and Akop had three children together. Ella has spoken about the challenges of balancing her growing business responsibilities while raising her family. As a working mother and business owner, she often felt pulled in multiple directions.
“Being a woman in this day and age is tough on its own. We are always spread so thin,” she has been quoted as saying. “When you’re with your kids you feel guilty you’re not working. When you’re at work you feel guilty you’re not with your kids.” LA Progressive
The Divorce and Legal Aftermath
On November 25, 2020, Ella Madatyan (also referred to as Elda Madatyan in court documents) filed for divorce from Akop Torosian in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The case was filed at Stanley Mosk Courthouse and was presided over by multiple judges, including Doreen B. Boxer UniCourtTrellis.
The divorce was, by Ella’s own description, “very public” and difficult. In her community, divorce often carries significant stigma. “Women in my culture are shamed so much for leaving marriages,” Ella has stated. “We are supposed to be ‘okay’ with so much and put up with so much. It’s embedded in our brains that being in a toxic relationship is normal.”
What followed was a complex web of legal proceedings that extended beyond the divorce itself. On August 26, 2021, Robert Torosian and Marina Fermanyan were granted a motion to be joined as parties in the divorce proceedings to preserve their claimed rights and interests in real property and investments they allegedly owned jointly with Ella and Akop, including the Papillon bakery business.
The business disputes continued when, on October 25, 2022, Akop “Jack” Torosian filed a civil lawsuit against Ella Madatyan and Glendale French Bakery, Inc. (dba Papillon International Bakery). This case was ultimately dismissed on February 8, 2024.
Additional legal battles have involved other family members, including Robert Torosian filing lawsuits against Ella’s father, Elvis Madatyan, and her brother, Edgar Madatyan.
Akop Torosian’s Other Legal Troubles
Court records and news reports indicate that Akop “Jack” Torosian has faced other legal issues unrelated to the divorce. In 2015, he was reportedly involved in a triple-shooting case. According to the Chicago Tribune, he was convicted of one count of possessing a deadly weapon with the intent to commit assault and sentenced to three years of probation. Charges of attempted murder and assault with a semiautomatic firearm were dropped Chicago TribuneLataco.
More recently, Akop has been associated with No Limit Supergym in North Hollywood. In 2023, he faced controversy related to allegations of racist comments made against a street vendor. According to LA Taco, this incident led to protests outside his gym.
Ella Madatyan Today: Rising from Adversity
Following the divorce, Ella Madatyan has focused on raising her three children while continuing to run her bakery business. She has spoken about the difficulties of leaving a toxic relationship, even with financial means and family support.
Now in her late 30s, Ella has emerged as a prominent entrepreneur in the Armenian-American community. As the CEO of Papillon Bakery, she has been recognized for her business acumen and innovative approach to traditional Armenian baking. Her bakery has attracted attention from celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, who has shared posts about Ella’s creations on social media.
Ella’s experiences have inspired her next venture. She has expressed plans to launch a clothing line to help fund a non-profit organization supporting domestic violence victims. “I want a place where I can have women come in and get the help they need to leave toxic relationships,” she has said. “I want them to get a second chance at life.”
Building Financial Independence
As Ella rebuilt her life post-divorce, she became an advocate for women’s financial independence within marriage. She has stated that “getting married does not imply that you surrender control to your husband” and believes that demonstrating how “women and financial freedom go together” helps women “set limits and be your own person”.
Her advice to women includes having emergency savings and maintaining good credit scores. “A financially independent woman is free to make her own life decisions,” she believes. This philosophy has informed both her personal life and her business approach.
Looking Forward
Today, Ella continues to expand her business horizons. Her goal has been to open additional bakery locations, while also developing her clothing line to support her planned non-profit organization.
Her success story represents the resilience and determination that has characterized her journey from immigrant child to successful entrepreneur and single mother. Through reimagining traditional Armenian foods for a modern audience and leveraging social media to promote her creations, Ella has carved out a distinctive niche in the competitive Los Angeles food scene Her ForwardLA Progressive.
Despite the tumultuous end to her marriage and the ongoing legal entanglements with her ex-husband and his family, Ella Madatyan continues to focus on growth—both in her business ventures and in her mission to help other women achieve the independence she has fought for herself.
Note: This article is based on publicly available information from court records and published interviews. Some court documents refer to Ella Madatyan as “Elda Madatyan.”