I'm a male adult and regard myself as being quite independent, if I want to. If my significant other just after arriving in a foreign country where I planned to follow her would leave me alone in such an unexpected way without a clear plan how to meet and a clear message of what is going on, I wouldn't like that very much. Not at all. Even though I'd not be helpless in such a situation, it is just absolutely disrespectful.
And, which is a severe thing, it would also show that me that the other person allows others to treat him that way, something I'd also think I'd not accept at all for myself.
This wasn't a choice between keeping his wife alive and speaking at a conference, or annulling a marriage! His wife knew he'd be speaking at a conference. She's an adult and is surely able to read a newspaper at a coffee shop, find an art gallery or whatever else for a couple of hours.
Non-speaker could've insisted on speaking to his wife to arrange a time to meet afterwards, fulfilled his presentation/speech, then written a complaint about lack of flexibility later.
If I am invited to a conference and even if I tweak the flight arrangement so they pay for my wife's ticket to suit my person plans, I don't expect that my wife will be allowed inside for free.
Sounded like a pretty awkward situation as it was handled (shouldn't have been led on, and should've been encouraged to speak with his wife to arrange a meeting time later), but the non-speaker seemed a little precious to me.
And, which is a severe thing, it would also show that me that the other person allows others to treat him that way, something I'd also think I'd not accept at all for myself.