Top 10 Most Expensive Divorce Settlements In Hollywood

Up until Tiger Woods’ recent announcement of his indefinite leave from professional golf to concentrate on his family, speculation was running hot on whether or not divorce was on the cards.  With Tiger’s fortune amounting into the billions not just from his golf winnings but also from his numerous sponsorship deals, a split in the Woods family would have had a hefty price indeed.  Who else has paid dearly for not taking the ‘till death’ part in their wedding vows seriously?  Let’s have a look at the Top 10 Divorce Settlements in Hollywood.  Some of these amounts will have your jaws dropping!

10.    Mick Jagger & Jerry Hall

The singer started seeing the model while still married to his then-wife Bianca. After a lengthy cohabitation and  several kids together, the pair married in a traditional Hindu ceremony, only to be divorced nine years later.  Jagger claimed that their wedding ceremony wasn’t valid, and Hall claimed his affair with a model Luciana Gimenez, resulted in a child.  Hall later opened up about their addictions – he was addicted to women and she was addicted to loving him. Upon their divorce Ms. Hall was granted custody of their children and 25 million dollars settlement.

9.    Michael Douglas & Diandra Luker

He was the offspring from a dynasty of famous actors and she was a 19 year old co-ed.  They were married only 6 weeks after meeting but the 23 years that followed was anything but a ‘smooth ride”.  His alcohol abuse and womanizing made national headlines.  The couple split in 1998 and Diandra got a piece of the Douglas dynasty in a form of their son and a 45 million dollars divorce settlement.

8.    Paul McCartney & Heather Mills

When Sir Paul met one-legged former model and charity campaigner, Heather Mills, she reminded him of his late wife and he was her childhood idol. Their four-year marriage ended in ugly accusations, media frenzy and custody battle for their only child. The Beetle had his heart broken and Mills limped away with38.5 million dollars in divorce settlement plus 70 thousand dollars yearly for child support.

7.    James Cameron & Linda Hamilton

When ‘Titanic’ director, James Cameron married ‘Terminator’ actress, Linda Hamilton, Hollywood was expecting a fairy tale but their 18 month marriage produced one child and a rocky relationship. In 1999, Linda got her divorce settlement in a half of Titanic’s profit = 50 million dollars. 

6.    Madonna & Guy Ritchie

When they were introduced by high profile friends, Sting and his wife, “the Material Girl” quickly realized that she met her match in the form of the English filmmaker.  They did not waste any time, their son Rocco was born a year later, following traditional wedding ceremony.  However, Madonna has been famous for her transformations, so in 2008 she has transformed herself into a single mother of three.  According to media sources, Mr. Madonna couldn’t keep up with his Kaballah loving, open minded, adoption seeking wife, so when she finally pulled the plug on their 8 year marriage, Guy gracefully accepted back his freedom as well as 76 million dollars in divorce settlement.

5.    Kevin Costner & Cindy Silva

The twosome met while studying in college.  Their marriage lasted 16 years and produced 3 children. However, in 1993 rumors started to circulate around Costner’s alleged affair with his costar. Cindy filed for divorced and was granted custody of their kids as well as 80 million dollars divorce settlement. 

4.    Harrison Ford & Melissa Mathison

The actor and his screenwriter wife were one of the most private couples in Hollywood and that privacy continued with their divorce – it wasn’t covered by the media. After 18 years and two grown children, Melissa was granted 85 million dollars in divorce settlement plus profit from his future earnings on the movies he’s made while they were together. Looks like “Indiana Jones” remained a true gentlemen.

3.    Steven Spielberg & Amy Irving

 

The famous filmmaker and the aspiring actress married in 1985.  Four years later Amy walked out with their only son and 100 million dollars divorce settlement. Although Spielberg tried to fight for his assets, the judge ruled that the prenuptial agreement written on a napkin was not legally authorized and there was no legal representation to witness it. 

2.    Neil Diamond & Marcia Murphy

 

The ‘Jewish Elvis’ and television production assistant, Marcia Murphy, married in 1969, but after 27 years of marriage and two sons, Diamond paid his respect to his “soon-to-be” ex-wife in a form of a 150 million dollars settlement. He then set the record straight by “saying she is the most wonderful woman, who stood by me through rough times, so she deserves every penny of it”. 

1.    Michael Jordan & Juanita Vanoy

The legendary basketball player and Chicago bank officer met in 1989.  The sparks flew and Michael quickly made Juanita, Mrs. Jordan. After 18 years of marriage, three kids and his earned income of 350 million dollars, Juanita was granted a divorce settlement of 168 million dollars making it the largest divorce settlement in Hollywood history.