That’s where we disagree- my husband and I worked together for a good period of time, and I had conflicts with our mutual boss (the president of the company and the only person higher up then my husband). I would have been absolutely mortified if he went to him and told him that he made me cry or otherwise defended me against him.
There are jackasses everywhere, and I understand the urge to defend your wife against this jerk, but it’s ultimately her responsibility to set limits with him and let him know that he owes her an apology.