But can you guess which is the most expensive celebrity divorce of all time? There are lots of contenders, including Madonna and Guy Ritchie, Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren and most recently, Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen.
Let’s run down the top 10 priciest splits in recent decades, ending with a staggering multi-billion-pound divorce.
10. Kenny Rogers and Marianne Gordon
$60 million
Back in 1993, US country music star Kenny Rogers and actress Marianne Gordon ended their marriage in a settlement worth an estimated $60 million. Gordon was Rogers’ fourth of five wives, with the marriage lasting 16 years.
9. Kevin Costner and Cindy Silva
$80 million
Hollywood star Kevin Costner and model/actress wife Cindy Silva married in 1978 and divorced in 1994. The couple had three children together. The divorce ended in an $80 million settlement paid to Silva.
8. Madonna and Guy Ritchie
$76-$92 million
A-listers Madonna and Guy Ritchie’s 8-year married ended in 2008, in a widely publicised divorce. There was also a prolonged custody battle over their son Rocco, one of two children they had together. The divorce was finalised with settlements estimated to be between $76 million and $92 million.
7. Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren
$100 million
Golfer Tiger Woods and model Elin Nordegren separated in another extremely high profile divorce, triggered by a physical altercation and Woods crashing his SUV near the family home. The couple split after 5 years and 2 children together, with Nordegren receiving a reported $100 million after a prenuptial agreement was torn up.
6. Steven Spielberg and Amy Irving
$100 million
Hollywood director Steven Spielberg and actor/singer Amy Irving wed in 1985, before divorcing just four years later. The couple reportedly had a prenup written on a napkin, which a court ruled was not legally binding. This resulted in a huge settlement of $100 million awarded to Irving.
5. Michael Jordan and Juanita Vanoy
$168 million
Basketball legend Michael Jordan and model Juanita Vanoy divorced in 2006 after 13 years of marriage. The decision to split was understood to be mutual, with Jordan paying his ex-wife approximately $168 million in a settlement.
4. Mel Gibson and Robyn Moore
$425 million
Movie star Mel Gibson separated from dental nurse Robyn Moore in 2011, after a 21-year marriage. The split happened after Gibson was involved in a drunk driving incident, along with allegations of infidelity. Moore was awarded an estimated $425 million.
3. Bernie Ecclestone and Slavica Radić
$1.2 billion
Formula One tycoon Bernie Ecclestone was ordered to pay his model ex-wife Slavica Radić over $1 billion following their divorce. However, the case took an unusual twist, as it turned out that much of the couple’s wealth was held in trust under Radić’s name – so she ended up paying her former husband as much as $100 million a year.
2. Joceyln and Alec Wildenstein
$3.8 billion
It’s taken 20 years for the jaw-droppingly expensive split between billionaire Alec Wildenstein and wife Jocelyn to be knocked off the number one spot. The couple divorced in 1999, with an enormous $3.8 billion settlement agreed.
1. Jeff Bezos and MacKenzie Scott
$38 billion
It’s official – the split between Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott is the most expensive celebrity divorce in history. The pair are among the wealthiest people in the world, with an eye-watering portfolio of assets. Their financially complex divorce ended in a staggering settlement of $38 billion.
Need expert advice negotiating the financial side of divorce? Get in touch with trusted Liverpool divorce solicitor Tracey Miller for a free consultation.