List of most expensive divorces explained

This is a list of the most expensive divorces in legal history. Amounts are given in U.S. dollars, and are not adjusted for inflation, unless explicitly stated so as a separate figure.

Most expensive divorces

• Bill Gates's divorce in 2021 from Melinda Gates is the most expensive divorce with Melinda getting $76 billion.
• Jeff Bezos's divorce in 2019 from MacKenzie Bezos; is the second most expensive divorce with MacKenzie Bezos getting $38 billion ($ billion inflation adjusted).^[1]
• Alec Wildenstein's divorce in 1999 from Jocelyn Wildenstein; $3.8 billion ($ billion inflation adjusted).^{[2] [3]}
• Rupert Murdoch's divorce in 1999 from Anna; estimated at $1.7 billion ($ billion inflation adjusted).^[4]
• Bill Gross's divorce in 2017 from Sue; estimated at $1.3 billion ($ billion inflation adjusted).^[5]
• Bernie Ecclestone's divorce in 2009 from Slavica; estimated at $1.2 billion ($ billion inflation adjusted).^{[6] [4]}
• Steve Wynn's divorce in 2010 from Elaine; estimated at $1 billion ($ billion inflation adjusted).^[4]
• Chey Tae-won's divorce from Roh Soh-yeong in 2024; approximately $1 billion.^{[7] [8]}
• Harold Hamm's divorce in 2012 from Sue Ann Arnall; estimated at $974.8 million ($ billion inflation adjusted).^{[9] [4]}
• Adnan Khashoggi's divorce in 1980 after 20 years from Soraya Khashoggi; estimated at $874 million ($ billion inflation adjusted).^{[10] [4]}
• Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's divorce in 2019 after 15 years from Haya bint Hussein; estimated at $730 million ($787 million inflation adjusted).^[11]
• Tiger Woods' divorce in 2010 after 5 or 6 years from Elin Nordegren in August 2010; estimated at $710 million. ($ million inflation adjusted)^[12]
• Dmitry Rybolovlev's divorce in 2014 after 26 or 27 years from Elena; estimated at $604 million ($ million inflation adjusted).^[4]
• Craig McCaw's divorce in 1997 after 21 years from Wendy McCaw; estimated to exceed $460 million ($ million inflation adjusted).^[13]
• Mel Gibson's divorce in 2006 after 26 years from Robyn Moore Gibson; estimated at $425 million ($ million inflation adjusted).^[14]
• Robert L. Johnson's divorce in 2001 after 31 or 32 years from Sheila Johnson: estimated at $400 million ($ million inflation adjusted).^[15]
• Sergey Brin's divorce from Nicole Shanahan in 2023 after five years of marriage: at least $360 million based on SEC filings, with upward estimates up to $1 billion.^[16]
• Roman Abramovich's divorce in 2007 after 15 or 16 years from Irina Abramovich; estimated at $300 million ($ million inflation adjusted).^[17]
• Charles Edgar Fipke's divorce in 2000 from Marlene Fipke; estimated at $200 million ($ million inflation adjusted).^[18]
• Invenergy's Michael Polsky's divorce from Maya Polsky, $184 million ($ million inflation adjusted).^[19]
• Michael Jordan's divorce in 2006 after 16 or 17 years from Juanita Jordan, $168 million ($ million inflation adjusted).^[20]
• Boris Berezovsky's divorce in 2010 after 18 or 19 years from Galina Besharova; estimated at $160 million ($ million inflation adjusted).^[21]
• Samathur Li Kin-kan's divorce in 2011 after 8 years from Florence Tsang Chiu-wing; estimated at $157 million ($204 million inflation adjusted).^{[22] [23] [24]}
• Neil Diamond's divorce in 1994 or 1995 after 24, 25, or 26 years from Marcia Murphey; estimated at $150 million ($ or $ million inflation adjusted).^[25]
• Frank McCourt's divorce in 2011 after 31 or 32 years from Jamie McCourt; estimated at $130 million ($ million inflation adjusted).^[26]
• Harrison Ford's divorce in 2004 after 20 or 21 years from Melissa Mathison; estimated at $118 million ($ million inflation adjusted).^[27]
• Greg Norman's divorce in 2007 after 25 or 26 years from Laura Andrassy; estimated at $103 million ($ million inflation adjusted).^[28]
• Steven Spielberg's divorce in 1989 after 3 or 4 years from Amy Irving; estimated at $100 million ($ million inflation adjusted).^[29]
• Chris Martin's divorce in 2015 after 11 or 12 years from Gwyneth Paltrow; estimated at $100 million ($ million inflation adjusted).^[30]
• Madonna's divorce in 2008 after 7 or 8 years from Guy Ritchie; estimated at $76–$92 million ($-$ million inflation adjusted).^[31]
• Dr Khoo Kay Peng's divorce in 2017 after 46 or 47 years from Pauline Chai; estimated at $80 million ($ million inflation adjusted).^[32]
• Kevin Costner's divorce in 1994 after 15 or 16 years from Cindy Silva; estimated at $80 million ($ million inflation adjusted).^[33]
• Aga Khan IV's divorce in 2011 after 12 or 13 years from Inaara Aga Khan; estimated at $78 million ($ million inflation adjusted).^[34]
• Kenny Rogers divorce in 1993 after 15 or 16 years from Marianne Rogers; estimated at $60 million ($ million inflation adjusted).^[35]
• James Cameron's divorce in 1999 after 1 or 2 years from Linda Hamilton; estimated at $50 million ($ million inflation adjusted).^[36]
• Paul McCartney's divorce in 2008 after 5 or 6 years from Heather Mills; estimated at $48.6 million ($ million inflation adjusted).^[37]
• Phil Collins' divorce in 2008 for $45.7 million ($ million inflation adjusted).^[38]
• Michael Douglas's divorce in 1995 after 17 or 18 years from Diandra Douglas; estimated at $45 million ($ million inflation adjusted).^[36]
• Ewan McGregor divorce in 2020; half of his earnings over the past 20 years plus $432,000 per year spousal support and $180,000 per year child support.^[39]
• Ted Danson's divorce in 1993 after 15 or 16 years from Casey Coats; estimated at $30 million ($ million inflation adjusted).^[40]
• Donald Trump's divorce in 1991 after 13 or 14 years from Ivana Trump; estimated at $25 million ($ million inflation adjusted).^[41]
• Kelsey Grammer's divorce in 2011 after 13 or 14 years from Camille Grammer; estimated at $30 million ($ million inflation adjusted).^{[42] [43]}
• Lionel Richie's divorce in 2004 after 8 or 9 years from Diane Richie; estimated at $20 million ($ million inflation adjusted).^[36]
• Johnny Carson's divorce in 1985 after 12 or 13 years from Joanna Holland; estimated at $20 million ($ million inflation adjusted).^[44]
• Mick Jagger's common-law marriage to Jerry Hall was voided in 1999; estimated between $15 and $25 million ($ and $ million inflation adjusted).^[36]
• Slash of Guns N' Roses divorce in 2014 after 12 or 13 years from Perla Farrar; $6.6 million ($ million inflation adjusted) plus $100,000 per month spousal support and $39,000 per month child support.^[45]

External links

• The World's Most Expensive Divorce Settlements
• Top 10 Most Expensive Divorce Settlements.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Ahiza Garcia. Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos' $38 billion divorce settlement is expected soon. 2020-10-21. CNN. July 2019.
2. Web site: Petridou . Ria . September 29, 2011 . Queens of plastic: Jocelyn Wildenstein . Fashion Love . February 4, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110930051343/http://www.fashionlove.gr/en/people-en/talk-of-the-town-en/queens-of-plastic-jocelyn-wildenstein/ . September 30, 2011 . dead .
3. Web site: 'Catwoman' Arrested for Clawing Boyfriend Lloyd Klein. 9 December 2016 .
4. https://web.archive.org/web/20170117200130/http://time.com/money/4533415/most-expensive-divorces-celebrities-steve-wynn-donald-trump-rupert-murdorch/ Time.com: Most Expensive Divorce Settlements of All Time
5. News: Segal . Troy . The Most Expensive Divorces in History . Investopedia . September 10, 2022 . April 24, 2023.
6. News: Toscano . Paul . The World's Most Expensive Divorce Settlements . CNBC . July 4, 2012 . January 25, 2013.
7. Web site: Lee . Min-hyung . 2024-06-17 . SK chief claims critical errors in divorce ruling . 2024-06-18 . . en.
8. Web site: Armstrong . Kathryn . May 30, 2024 . S Korea tycoon Chey Tae-won to pay $1bn in record divorce ruling . 2024-06-18 . . en-GB.
9. Web site: Cordova . Elisabeth Butler . Harold Hamm's ex cashes the big check after all . CNBC . January 8, 2015.
10. News: The world's top ten highest divorce settlements . https://web.archive.org/web/20100826025355/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/tigerwoods/7961200/Tiger-Woods-the-worlds-top-ten-highest-divorce-settlements.html . dead . August 26, 2010 . . August 24, 2010 . 2010-09-14 . London.
11. News: Dubai ruler ordered to pay ex-wife $700 million in divorce settlement . 26 March 2015.
12. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20181016064212/https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/elin-nordegren-gets-750m-custody-of-kids-in-exchange-for-silence-in-tiger-woods-divorce. 2018-10-16. Elin Nordegren Gets $750M, Custody of Kids in Exchange for Silence in Tiger Woods Divorce. . 26 March 2015.
13. News: Nextel, Nextlink Stakes Awarded in Divorce Case; Settlement: Even Bill Gates is deposed in suit that includes major holdings in telecom firms . https://archive.today/20130216183205/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/21696897.html?dids=21696897:21696897&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+01,+1997&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Nextel,+Nextlink+Stakes+Awarded+in+Divorce+Case;+Settlement:+Even+Bill+Gates+is+deposed+in+suit+that+includes+major+holdings+in+telecom+firms.&pqatl=google . dead . February 16, 2013 . Los Angeles Times . November 1, 1997 . Wendy P. McCaw ... received major stakes worth at least $460 million in Nextel Communications Inc. and Nextlink Communications Inc. as part of their divorce settlement, a regulatory filing showed Friday.
14. News: Lee . Ken . Mel Gibson's Ex Wife Takes Half His Estimated $850 Million in Divorce Settlement . People . December 23, 2011 . January 25, 2013.
15. Web site: The most expensive divorce settlements in history - Business Insider … . 2019-01-27 . https://archive.today/20190127001916/https://www.businessinsider.de/most-expensive-divorce-settlements-2018-1?r=US&IR=T . 2019-01-27 .
16. Web site: Mullins . Kyle . How Nicole Shanahan, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s VP Pick, Got So Rich . 2024-04-12 . Forbes . en.
17. News: Harding . Luke . Goodnight Irina: Abramovich settles for mere £155m . The Guardian . March 16, 2007 . January 25, 2013 . London.
18. How a Rogue Geologist Discovered a Diamond Trove in the Canadian Arctic. Wired. 2008-11-24. Hoffman. Carl.
19. News: Divorce Suit Awards $184M to Chicago Woman. Associated Press. June 5, 2007.
20. Web site: Michael Jordan's Divorce Was Among the Most Expensive In History. 2020-09-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200720003315/https://news.yahoo.com/michael-jordans-divorce-among-most-193600043.html . 2020-07-20.
21. News: Bowcott . Owen . Boris Berezovsky pays out £100m in UK's biggest divorce settlement . The Guardian . July 22, 2011 . April 11, 2013 . London.
22. http://www.china.org.cn/china/2011-12/03/content_24067130.htm
23. Web site: The billionaire divorce case that gripped the city . 2011-12-02 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230508084626/https://www.scmp.com/article/986560/billionaire-divorce-case-gripped-city . 2023-05-08 . live .
24. Web site: 香港最贵离婚案：豪门丈夫不让生孩子，学霸妻卖房打官司，获12亿_李建勤_李德义_曾昭颖 . .
25. Web site: Diamond's wife gets $150M . https://archive.today/20130219182658/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/D/Diamond_Neil/1996/05/30/744543.html . usurped . February 19, 2013 . Jam! Showbiz . May 30, 1996 . January 25, 2013.
26. News: Shaikin . Bill . Frank and Jamie McCourt reach settlement involving Dodgers . Los Angeles Times . October 17, 2011 . January 25, 2013.
27. News: Harrison Ford & Melissa Mathison from Most Expensive Celeb Divorces. E! Online. August 14, 2017.
28. News: Price of Norman's freedom: $103 million . Palm Beach Post . July 11, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081006103601/http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2008/07/10/a2a_jose_0711.html . October 6, 2008.
29. Book: Jackson, Kathi . 2007 . Steven Spielberg: A Biography . registration . Greenwood Publishing Group . 43 . 978-0-313-33796-3.
30. Web site: 12 April 2015 . Gwyneth Paltrow, Chris Martin Divorce Settlement: Each Get $100M . live . https://archive.today/20231016021143/https://www.hindustantimes.com/hollywood/gwyneth-paltrow-chris-martin-divorce-settlement-each-get-100mn/story-0NVxWe9i3ZnsbKBEILSRGO.html . 16 October 2023 . 16 October 2023 . Hindustan Times.
31. News: Madonna gives Guy £50m in divorce . BBC News . December 15, 2008 . January 25, 2013.
32. News: 'Homemaker' ex-wife of Laura Ashley boss wins a third of his £200m fortune after bitter divorce battle. The Telegraph. 2017-04-10. en-GB.
33. Web site: Trouble in Paradise PEOPLE.com . 2020-10-03 . https://archive.today/20201003054758/https://people.com/archive/cover-story-trouble-in-paradise-vol-42-no-19/ . 2020-10-03 .
34. News: The Aga Khan, his 10-year divorce battle with German princess, and a 'deal for £50 million' . The Telegraph.
35. News: Most expensive divorces in history . The Telegraph . November 26, 2009 . January 25, 2013 . London.
36. Web site: By The Numbers: The 10 Most Expensive Celebrity Divorces . . 2020-09-06 . https://archive.today/20200906015920/https://www.forbes.com/2007/04/12/most-expensive-divorces-biz-cz_lg_0412celebdivorce_slide.html?thisSpeed=undefined%2358d3cd9d54db . 2020-09-06 .
37. News: Sadowitz . Emma . Paul McCartney-Heather Mills Divorce Saga Ends in $48.6 Million Settlement . The American Lawyer . March 17, 2008 . January 25, 2013.
38. Web site: Phil Collins wants to end ex wife's 'armed occupation' of his mansion, suits says. . https://web.archive.org/web/20201020210646/https://www.miamiherald.com/miami-com/miami-com-news/article246504510.html. 2020-10-20.
39. Web site: Ewan McGregor to lose half of his TV and movie fortune in divorce settlement . . 2020-08-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200817183859/https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/ewan-mcgregor-split-fortune-divorce-eve-mavrakis.amp. 2020-08-17.
40. News: Singh . Anita . Mel Gibson to top list of biggest celebrity divorce payouts . The Telegraph . April 14, 2009 . January 25, 2013 . London.
41. Hansen . Mark . Split-Up Insurance . ABA Journal . American Bar Association . 85 . November 1999 . 30.
42. Web site: Camille Grammer defends $30 million divorce settlement from ex Kelsey Grammer. . 17 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190717175150/https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/camille-grammer-kelsey-grammer-divorce-settlement. 2019-07-17.
43. Web site: Camille Grammer To Score $30 Million in Kelsey Grammer Divorce TMZ.… . 2013-02-16 . https://archive.today/20130216222820/http://www.tmz.com/2012/09/06/camille-grammer-kelsey-grammer-divorce-50-percent-half-property-settlement/ . 2013-02-16 . 2013-01-25 . live.
44. Web site: Johnny Carson and Estranged Wife Settle Divorce Dispute. . https://web.archive.org/web/20200904181429/https://apnews.com/43ae46fb9a6c420cc1b281bb7dfed3c7. 2020-09-04.
45. Web site: Slash Ordered to Pay Millions to Ex-Wife in Divorce Settlement TMZ.… . 2018-09-07 . https://archive.today/20180907173412/http://www.tmz.com/2018/09/04/slash-wife-perla-divorce-court-battle-guns-n-roses/ . 2018-09-07 . 2018-09-07 . live.