Find out which celebrities caved to alimony demands and divided their fortunes, resulting in the most expensive divorces in the history of the practice.
Tiger Woods & Elin Nordegren – $750 Million
Tiger Woods’ reputation was damaged after his adultery with scores of random women was revealed. After six years of marriage, Woods and his ex-wife Elin Nordegren divorced in 2010. Tiger was reportedly ordered to pay $750 million in their divorce settlement.
Tiger Woods & Elin Nordegren – $750 Million
Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt – $400 Million
The couple has been working with a private judge since Jolie filed for divorce from Pitt. She requested joint physical and legal custody of their children. It’s too early to tell, but the divorce is expected to cost $400 million.
Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt – $400 Million
Kevin Costner & Cindy Silva – $80 Million
After 16 years of marriage and three children, the Hollywood couple decided to divorce because to Costner’s alleged adultery. The Hollywood actor was forced to pay Silva $80 million in the divorce and then acknowledged to having a child on the side with socialite Bridget Rooney.
Kevin Costner & Cindy Silva – $80 Million
Alec & Jocelyn Wildenstein – $2.5 Billion
Jocelyn obtained $2.5 billion from her ex-husband, French businessman and billionaire Alec Wildenstein. Jocelyn thought changing her appearance would keep her husband around, so she spent $2 million on plastic surgery.
Alec & Jocelyn Wildenstein – $2.5 Billion
Michael & Diandra Douglas – $45 Million
Michael Douglas married Diandra in 1977, and they had a son the following year. Diane filed for divorce in 1995. Diandra obtained a $45 million settlement at the end of their divorce, which was half of the actor’s net worth at the time.
Michael & Diandra Douglas – $45 Million
Robert & Sheila Johnson – $400 million
Robert Johnson, co-founder of BET, and his wife, Sheila Johnson, divorced in 2002 after 33 years of marriage. In 2000, two years before their divorce, Johnson sold BET to Viacom for $3 billion, of which Sheila received $400 million.
Robert & Sheila Johnson – $400 Million
Dr. Phil McGraw & Debbie Higgins – Approx. $1 Million
McGraw divorced Dr. Phil’s high school girlfriend Debbie Higgins after three years of marriage. He didn’t have much money at the time, so the split cost roughly $1 million. Higgins refers to herself as the “secret first wife of Dr. Phil.”
Dr. Phil McGraw & Debbie Higgins – Approx. $1 Million
Bernie & Slavica Ecclestone – $1 Billion
Bernie and Slavica Ecclestone made news for all the wrong reasons after reaching a $1 billion divorce settlement! Slavica wasted no time in turning this money into $1.6 billion in investments.
Bernie & Slavica Ecclestone – $1 Billion
Reba McEntire & Narvel Blackstock – $47.5 Million
Reba McEntire and Narvel Blackstock startled fans by announcing their divorce in 2015. Despite this, the two stay friends and encourage one another. Given the lack of a prenuptial agreement, we can presume that the couple shared their assets equally.
Reba McEntire & Narvel Blackstock – $47.5 Million
Michael Strahan & Jean Muggli – $15 Million
Muggli and Michael Strahan met in 1994 and married in 1999. Since saying “I do,” the two have had a turbulent relationship. Muggli was given $15 million in settlement and $18,000 in child support per month after filing for divorce.
Michael Strahan & Jean Muggli – $15 Million
Michael & Juanita Jordan – $168 Million
Michael and Juanita Jordan divorced after years of attempting to make their marriage work. Juanita earned $168 million as part of the deal, in addition to the couple’s seven-acre Chicago estate and custody of their children Jeffrey, Marcus, and Jasmine.
Michael & Juanita Jordan – $168 Million
Rupert Murdoch & Anna Maria Torv – $1.2 Billion
This couple, who had been married for 32 years and had three children together, divorced in 1999. Murdoch accumulated a $8 billion net worth. Torv was awarded $1.2 billion in the couple’s divorce settlement.
Rupert Murdoch & Anna Maria Torv – $1.2 Billion
Heidi Klum & Seal – $70 Million
Seal’s rage became so out of control, according to Heidi, that it scared their children. Heidi fled with a broken heart and an empty wallet. Klum ended up settling their divorce for $70 million despite their prenup.
Heidi Klum & Seal – $70 Million
Mel Gibson & Robyn Moore – $425 Million
Mel’s DUI arrest in 2006 precipitated Robyn’s final decision to seek for divorce after 26 years of marriage. Because the couple did not sign a prenuptial agreement, Robyn received half of Mel’s fortune in the divorce, which was approximately $425 million.
Mel Gibson & Robyn Moore – $425 Million
Frank & Jamie McCourt – $130 Million
Frank McCourt was married to Jamie McCourt until their bitter divorce in 2011. Because Frank is such a successful businessman, the divorce cost him a whopping $130 million!
Frank & Jamie McCourt – $130 Million
Ron Perelman & Ellen Barkin – $20 Million
In June of 2000, the billionaire married Barkin, his fourth wife. Their brief marriage ended in 2006, and the divorce was costly. Ellen allegedly received a settlement of more than $20 million after selling jewelry gifted to her by Ron.
Ron Perelman & Ellen Barkin – $20 Million
Greg Norman & Laura Andrassy – $103 Million
When the golf icon divorced Laura Andrassy in 2008 for fellow tennis player Chris Evert, he was compelled to pay Andrassy an estimated $103 million! You’d think that with such large rewards, couples would strive harder to keep their relationships intact.
Greg Norman & Laura Andrassy – $103 Million
Johnny Carson & Joanna Holland – $20 Million
Johnny Carson was married four times, but his most financially successful wife was model/socialite Joanna Holland, who walked away with $20 million from their bitter divorce. Carson was the best paid TV personality when they split, earning $15 million a year.
Johnny Carson & Joanna Holland – $20 Million
Adnan Khashoggi & Soraya Khashoggi – $874 Million
Adnan Khashoggi, a Saudi millionaire, was formerly considered one of the world’s wealthiest individuals. He married his wife, Soraya Khashoggi, when she was only 20 years old, but the marriage ended in a costly divorce. Soraya received $874 million.
Adnan Khashoggi & Soraya Khashoggi – $874 Million
Colin Firth & Livia Giuggioli – Approx. $12.5 Million
Firth and Giuggioli are getting divorced after 22 years of marriage. Although we do not know the specific terms of the settlement, we believe the Italian producer will receive half of the actor’s net worth. Two years after Giuggioli acknowledged to having an affair with an Italian journalist and childhood friend, Marco Brancaccia, the couple decided to call it quits. Despite their efforts to work through the affair and raise their two sons together, the affair appears to have gotten the better of them, and they have called it quits for good.
Colin Firth & Livia Giuggioli – Approx. $12.5 Million
Andre Agassi & Brooke Shields – $130 Million
Andre Agassi’s divorce from actress/model Brooke Shields is well-known for being one of the biggest settlements per month of marriage ever! They agreed on $8,450715 per month. This is especially impressive given that they had only been married for two years. They began dating in 1997 and ended their relationship in 1999.
Andre Agassi & Brooke Shields – $130 Million
Kelsey & Camille Grammer – $30 Million
There was no prenuptial agreement when these two married in 1997. In February 2011, after 14 years of marriage and two children, the couple divorced. Camille ended up on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and received $30 million from Grammer.
Kelsey & Camille Grammer – $30 Million
John & Beverly Charman -$95 Million
Charman had no money when he married his high school love Beverley, but during the course of their 29-year marriage, he rose to become London’s ninth richest businessman. Beverly quit her career to raise their children, so when the couple divorced, Beverly was awarded $95 million.
John & Beverly Charman $95 Million
Samathur Li-kan & Florence Tsang-Chiu-wing -$154 Million
Samathur Li-Kan, one of Hong Kong’s most powerful billionaires, divorced his wife Florence in 2008 because she refused to get an abortion. A Hong Kong court ordered the billionaire real estate developer to pay his ex-wife $154 million.
Samathur Li Kan & Florence Tsang Chiu Wing $154 Million
Roman & Irina Malandina – $300 Million
Irina Malandina was married to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, who was worth $8.5 billion at the time. When the couple split, Irina received $300 million in cash as well as luxurious houses in Moscow and London.
Roman & Irina Malandina – $300 Million
Jesse Williams & Aryn Drake-Lee – Approx. $4 Million
Jesse Williams and his wife Aryn Drake-Lee are separating amicably, according to reports. The Grey’s Anatomy actress filed for divorce from her real estate broker husband, Drake-Lee. The settlement amount was not released, but it is expected to be over $4 million.
Jesse Williams & Aryn Drake Lee – Approx. $4 Million
Eddie Murphy & Nicole Mitchell Murphy – $15 Million
Despite appearing to be a lovely marriage, the couple split in 2006 after nearly twenty years together. Eddie Murphy dated and had a child with former Spice Girl Mel B after they divorced. Nicole afterwards began dating Michael Strahan. Eddie is currently dating Paige Butcher, with whom he has a child.
Eddie Murphy & Nicole Mitchell Murphy – $15 Million
Ted Dansen & Casey Coates – $30 Million
Ted Danson and Casey Coates met in 1976 and were inseparable for 15 years. Things went downhill after Danson and Whoopi Goldberg began an affair. Danson paid Coates $30 million in one of Hollywood’s most expensive divorce settlements at the time.
Ted Dansen & Casey Coates – $30 Million
Harrison Ford & Melissa Mathison – $118 Million
This tragic Hollywood couple couldn’t be saved after 17 years of marriage and two children. Ford and Mathison divorced in 2001, and because there was no prenuptial agreement, she ended up with $118 million of the actor’s money.
Harrison Ford & Melissa Mathison – $118 Million
Johnny Depp & Amber Heard – $6.8 Million
Amber accused Depp of being abusive, and a settlement of more than $6 million was eventually agreed upon. Amber promised to give the money to charity. Despite the fact that the pair never had children together, Depp has two children, including model Lily-Rose Depp.
Johnny Depp & Amber Heard – $6.8 Million
Rupert Murdoch & Wendi Deng – $1.8 Million
The News Corporation CEO wasted little time, marrying Deng just 17 days after his previous divorce was finalized. Murdoch decided Deng wasn’t doing it for him anymore and divorced her in June 2013, settling for $1.8 million.
Rupert Murdoch & Wendi Deng – $1.8 Million
James Cameron & Linda Hamilton – $50 Million
This relationship ended after Cameron was unfaithful on the filming of Titanic. Within days of Cameron’s Oscar win for the film, the couple announced their divorce and Linda’s $50 million settlement.
James Cameron & Linda Hamilton – $50 Million
Alex Baldwin & Kim Bassinger – Approx. $3 Million
Kim Bassinger and Alec Baldwin were married for nine years and had a daughter before they divorced. Kim obstructed Alec’s visiting rights to their daughter during the divorce. They reportedly settled for roughly $3 million.
Alex Baldwin & Kim Bassinger – Approx. $3 Million
Steve & Elaine Wynn – $741 million
Steve Wynn struck out twice, both times with the same woman! Wynn divorced Elaine Wynn for the second time in 2010, for a total of $741 million!
Steve & Elaine Wynn – $741 Million
Paul McCartney & Heather Mills – $48.6 Million
Paul McCartney and Heather Mills celebrated their marriage with a $3.2 million wedding in Ireland, and he probably didn’t expect to spend much more than that dissolving it. McCartney was had to pay a $48.6 million settlement.
Paul McCartney & Heather Mills – $48.6 Million
Vladimir Potanin & Natalia Potanina – $7 Billion
Vladimir Potanin is said to be one of Russia’s wealthiest men, worth an estimated $14 billion. He was married to Natalia Potanina for 30 years before the couple divorced in 2013. Natalia received almost $7 billion from the divorce, which was exceedingly complex.
Vladimir Potanin & Natalia Potanina – $7 Billion
Michael Polsky & Maya Polsky – $184 Million
Michael Polsky is one of the world’s most prominent businessmen, and as the previous owner of SkyGen, it was only logical that his divorce would cost him! He divorced his wife Maya in 2003, and it cost him a whopping $184 million.
Michael Polsky & Maya Polsky – $184 Million
Charles Fipke & Marlene Fipke – $200 Million
Charles Fipke discovered the first diamonds in Canada’s Northwest Territories, making him extremely wealthy. Charles divorced Marlene after several years of marriage, and the divorce cost him close to $200 million, making it one of Canada’s largest divorce settlements.
Charles Fipke & Marlene Fipke – $200 Million
Gwen Stefani & Gavin Rossdale – $2.5 Million
Gwen and Gavin were considered a happy and successful couple, but like other Hollywood marriages, their marriage ended after 13 years and a total of 20 years together. Their compensation is expected to be around $25 million. Gwen has since moved on to date Blake Shelton.
Gwen Stefani & Gavin Rossdale – $2.5 Million
Steven Spielberg & Amy Irving – $100 Million
The couple decided to split after three and a half years of marriage. Amy Irving received $100 million for the divorce, which may seem like a lot, but it’s a drop in the bucket for Spielberg, who is worth more than $5 billion.
Steven Spielberg & Amy Irving – $100 Million