Getting a divorce is never a fun occurrence. Especially when it all happens in the public eye. Too often, a failed marriage is the synonym of a legal war. And said war is particularly ugly when it involves one or two rich parties. Just as celebrities live big and make big paychecks, their divorce settlements also follow suit. In many cases, for reasons unknown to the general public (were they too in love to ever imagine a future where they might not still be together? Were they too scared to ask by chance of offending their significant other?), they did not take the precaution of signing a pre-nuptial agreement which ended in some mind-blowing settlements. Since we can’t help but be curious about the lives of the rich and famous, we have gathered the most expensive celebrity divorces ever. Get ready for some impressive numbers.
21. Paul McCartney & Heather Mills – $48.6 Million
The legendary Beatles member married former model Heather Mills before having a child together, Beatrice. Divorce came only six years later. Mills was her own representative for all of the divorce proceedings which McCartney admitted was gutsy of her. With his net worth of over $1 billion, the divorce settlement surely was of no inconvenience to his bank account.
20. Donald & Ivana Trump – $25 Million
It’s no secret that Donald Trump has been married three times. The current president of the US first married Czech model Ivana Zelníčková. Together, they have three children. The two got divorced in 1992, after Ivana found out that Donald was having an affair with actress Marla Maples.
19. Demi Moore & Bruce Willis – $90 Million
Bruce was Demi’s second husband. Their marriage lasted for 11 years during which they had three daughters together, Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah. It ended in 2000 and Willis made a public statement saying that “he had failed as a father and husband.” The Die Hard actor credited Will Smith for helping him deal with the situation. It is said that the pair has maintained a good relationship with one another since the divorce.
18. Dmitry & Elena Rybolovleva – $4.5 Billion
Elena Rybolovleva was the one to file for divorce from husband Dmitry Rybolovlev, a Russian businessman and investor. Her reason: serial infidelity. She stated that he used to “share his young conquests with his friends, and other oligarchs.” At first, the court awarded Elena a staggering $4.5 billion in the settlement in 2014, but after Dmitry appealed, she was granted “only” $604 million.
17. Michael & Diandra Douglas – $45 Million
In 1977, Wall Street actor Michael Douglas, 32, married Diandra Luker, the 19 years old daughter of an Austrian Diplomat. It seems like the 13-year age difference had its impact on the couple as they divorced in 1995. They had a son together, Cameron, one year after their wedding. The divorce settlement of $45 million didn’t put much of a dent on Michael’s $300 million net worth.
16. Rupert Murdoch & Anna Maria Torv – $1.2 Billion
Scottish journalist Anna Mann and Australian media mogul Rupert Murdoch married Anna, who worked for his Sydney newspaper The Daily Telegraph, in 1967. She was his second wife. Three children and 32 years later, the pair divorced in 1999. Their divorce settlement of a staggering $1.2 billion was mind-blowing, but considering Murdoch’s net worth of $18.1 billion, he’ll be okay.
15. Madonna & Guy Ritchie – $92 Million
Madonna and director Guy Ritchie met in November 1998. He became Madonna’s second husband in Scotland in 2000. A short time later, Madonna gave birth to their son, Rocco. In 2006, they adopted together David, from Malawi. Unfortunately, Madonna filed for divorce just two years later.
14. Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos – $140 Billion
Amazon tycoon, Jeff Bezos met his now ex-wife Mackenzie in 1992, when she was working in one of his hedge funds. They got married a year later becoming one of the richest couples in history. They went on to have 4 children and announced their divorce after 25 years of marriage. At least it is said that the marriage ended in amicable terms. Since there was no prenuptial agreement, this might just be the most expensive divorce settlement ever.
13. Michael Jordan & Juanita Vanoy – $168 Million
Basketball legend Michael Jordan and Juanita Vanoy met on a blind date in 1984. Seventeen years and two sons later, they divorced. When it was finalised in 2007, Jordan could add another record to his long already long list of achievements as the divorce held the record for the most expensive celebrity divorce. But, one thing is for certain, the greatest basketball player of all time could afford to hand over the hefty cost, considering his net worth of 1.7 billion dollars.
12. Eddie & Nicole Murphy – $15 Million
Comedian and actor Eddie Murphy and Nicole Mitchell met in 1988 and got married a few years later in 1993, they tied the knot in New York City. Sadly, after 5 children the two got divorced in 2006. Considering Murphy’s success, he definitely could have paid more than $15 million but they had signed a prenuptial agreement. This was unfortunate for Nicole who is reportedly in debt.
11. Heidi Klum & Seal – $70 Million
The singer and model duo married in 2005 and even renewed their vows to each other every year on their wedding day in front of family and friends. But that did not prevent them to divorce seven years later. They have three biological children together and Seal adopted Heidi’s daughter from her first marriage.
10. Bernie & Slavica Ecclestone – $1 Billion
British businessman Bernie Ecclestone was married to the Croatian international model Slavica for 23 years. Despite the 28-year age difference between the pair plus the very obvious language barrier at the beginning of their relationship, they had two children together and remained married for many years. during which they had two children. Slavica walked away with a hefty amount of money, $1 billion.
9. Alec & Jocelyn Wildenstein – $2.5 Billion
Billionaire businessman Alec Wildenstein and Jocelyn Perisse met when she was a guest at Ol Jogi Ranch in Kenya. They got married in 1978 and the marriage lasted 21 years. It all ended with Jocelyn getting $2.5 billion in addition to $100 million every year for 13 years. During the divorce settlement, the judge ruled that Jocelyn could not use the money for plastic surgery. That was a great call on his part.
8. Harrison Ford & Melissa Mathison – $118 Million
The iconic actor Harrison Ford, was married to his second wife, screenwriter, Melissa Mathison for 17 years before their marriage came to an end in 2004. Since Harrison Ford has a net worth of around $240 million, their divorce settlement of $118 million seems a bit steep. Still, with five of his films being in the 30 top-grossing films of all times, we’re sure he’s bounced back.
7. Neil Diamond & Marcia Murphey – $150 million
The singer-songwriter, musician, and actor Neil Diamond married production assistant Marcia Murphey in 1969. Their marriage lasted for 25 years during which they had two sons, Jesse and Micah. Marcia accused Neil of having an affair countless times which led to the pair’s divorce. Neil’s current net worth is $175 million so it seems like the divorce settlement may have set him back a lot.
6. Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt – $400 Million
Brangelina was the Hollywood ‘it’ couple. The two actors didn’t make their marriage official until 2014, although they started dating in 2006. Over the course of their 12-year-relationship, they grew their Brangelina clan to three biological children and three children who they adopted internationally. Their widely publicized 2016 divorce cost around $400 million.
5. Jennifer Lopez & Chris Judd – $14 Million
After breaking up with Sean Combs, the most influential Latin performer in the United States Jenni from the block moved on to date former backup dancer Chris Judd. They were married briefly from September 2001 to June 2002. We hope but highly doubt that the year of marriage was worth the $14 million…
4. Ron Perelman & Ellen Barkin – $20 Million
Rob Perelman is one of America’s richest man with a net worth of around $12.7 billion. Actress Ellen Barkin was his 4th wife. Their marriage only lasted for five years and was apparently a rocky road for the two. Apparently, Ellen’s divorce attorney secured her a settlement of between $20-$65 million which also required for Perelman to invest in Barkin and her brother’s film production.
3. Tiger Woods & Elin Nordegren – $750 Million
Most of us know about golf legend Tiger Woods and Swedish former model Elin Nordegren’s failed marriage. As the highest-paid athlete in the world for a number of years, Woods could afford to pay Elin the divorce settlement of $750 million. Plus, she totally deserved it…
2. Garth Brooks & Sandy Mahl – $125 Million
We love when college sweethearts get married, like country icon Garth Brooks and songwriter Sandy Mahl did in 1986. But so many times, the marriage just doesn’t work out. The pair separated in 1999 and divorced officially in 2001. They have three daughters together.
1. Prince Charles & Princess Diana – $23 Million
After their 1981 engagement, the entire world watched as Princes Charles and Princess Diana tied the knot. They went on to form their little royal family of four with Princes William and Harry.And the world was also there to witness their very public and nasty divorce in 1996. Only one year later, Princess Diana died in a car accident after being chased by the paparazzi.
Source: HistoryA2Z
