With only a handful of billion dollar divorce settlements in the world, most celebrities end up paying tens or hundreds of millions to their significant other once separation becomes inevitable.
While Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver’s divorce is still pending, 3 years after being filed, with an estimated settlement of $150-200 million, here are the most expensive celebrity divorces that were actually finalized.
10. Kelsey Grammer and Camille Donatacci – $60 Million
After a 14 year marriage, in which Kelsey Grammer made the bulk of his “Frasier” money, his third wife walked away with a $60 million settlement. The former Playboy model and the actor met on a blind date, and have two children together, born born using a surrogate mother.
Camille helped Kelsey get over his substance abuse problems and joined the cast of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” before the divorce was announced.
9. Kevin Costner and Cindy Silva – $80 Million
In one of the most expensive celebrity divorces, Cindy Silva walked away with $80 million. The two college sweethearts had been married for 16 years when news of the separation broke in 1994. Kevin Costner and his wife finished the details of their financial settlement and the future of custody for their three children before announcing the split.
8. Harrison Ford and Melissa Mathison – $85 Million
Even though Harrison Ford started dating current wife Calista Flockhart in 2020, his divorce from his second wife was only finalized 2 years later. Melissa Mathison walked away with $85 million, along with a cut of future earnings from Ford films in which the actor starred during their 21 year marriage.
More: Celebrities Who Cheated but Stayed Together
7. Madonna and Guy Ritchie – $92 Million
Getting married the day after their son Rocco’s chistening in 2000, Madonna and Guy Ritchie were together for less than a decade, but their union also resulted in one of the most expensive celebrity divorces. Estimates range from $76 to $92, but it’s clear that the British director got between 1/5th and 1/6th of Madonna’s fortune.
6. Steven Spielberg and Amy Irving – $100 Million
After dating briefly in 1979, Amy Irving and Steven Spielberg reunited in 1984 and were married one year later. Their union only lasted 4 years, but without a prenup, the actress walked away with $100 million out of his $1 billion fortune, in the most expensive showbiz divorce ever at the time.
5. Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren – $100 Million
One of the most expensive celebrity divorces was also one of the most scandalous. The first confirmed affairs became public in 2020, and the former Swedish model got a settlement in the range of $100 million after her seven year marriage to the golfer. Even though they had a prenup, Nordergren ended up walking away with much more than was initially planned.
4. Garth Brooks and Sandy Mahl – $125 Million
The country singer married his college sweetheart in 1986, but 13 years later their union was over. The divorced was filed one year later, and it took another year to become final. Even though Sandy Mahl married a bouncer, she divorced a country superstar and got $125 million in the settlement.
See also: Celebrities Who Married Rock Stars
3. Neil Diamond and Marcia Murphey – $150 million
Even though they split twice during their 25 year marriage, Neil Diamond and Marcia Murphey also ended up having one of the most expensive celebrity divorces. The singer retained royalties from future sales, giving his wife cash and properties. “I wish her all the happiness $150 million can bring,” he said once the divorce was final.
2. Michael Jordan and Juanita Jordan – $168 Million
Married in 1989, Michael Jordan and Juanita Jordan have three children together, and they almost got divorced in 2020. After reconciling, then splitting again, Juanita got a $168 million payout in 2020, setting a new record.
1. Mel Gibson and Robyn Moore – $425 Million
The top spot in the list of most expensive celebrity divorces ever goes to Mel Gibson and his wife of 21 years. Without a prenup, the mother of 7 of Gibson’s children ended up netting half of his $850 million fortune.
