The most expensive celebrity divorces in history

Dr. Dre and ex-wife Nicole Young settled their divorce at the end of 2021. The proceedings had been ongoing for more than a year as the pair fought over the division of assets. Dre agreed to pay Young US$100 million in two installments. This allowed him to keep seven of their homes, six of their 10 cars, all of his Apple shares, the revenue from Beats by Dre, and the full rights to all of his music and trademarks.

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Princess Haya and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum -

In one of the UK's most expensive divorces ever, a London judge has ordered Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to pay his estranged wife Princess Haya B i n t al-Hussein and their children an estimated US$734 million (£554 million), Bloomberg reports. About half must be handed over within three months to cover security and lost items like jewelry and clothing, and annual payments must also be made for their children while they're in education, and the remaining are for backdated sums and a learning fund. The judge reportedly said the Sheikh brought this expensive ruling on himself since he'd ordered the hacking of his wife and her legal team's phones.

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Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock -

Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock seemed like the perfect country music couple, but sadly they filed for divorce back in June of 2020 and things got a bit ugly. Clarkson won primary custody of their children, but Blackstock filed for a huge settlement in December of 2020. He requested she pay him US$436,000 per month in spousal and child support, as well as US$2 million for his attorney fees. In the end, the judge has ruled that Clarkson must pay him US$195,601 per month, plus US$1.25 million towards his attorney fees.

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Madonna and Guy Ritchie - The American singer was married to the British film director between 2000 and 2008.

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Madonna and Guy Ritchie - Things did not work out and the filmmaker had to pay $76 million to Madonna, an amount that left Guy Ritchie a wee bit poorer than before.

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Madonna and Guy Ritchie - According to statements by Madonna's publicist Liz Rosenberg to Today, this was one of the most expensive divorces in history.

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Harrison Ford and Melissa Mathison - The Hollywood star was married to screenwriter Melissa Mthison (1950-2015) for 18 years, but things did not work out and in 2001 a divorce case was filed.

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Harrison Ford and Melissa Mathison - Although there is no exact value, the Hollywood star had to pay somewhere around $85 and $118 million, according to the Daily Mail.

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Kevin Costner and Cindy Silva - In 1978, the American actor married his college sweetheart, actress Cindy Silva. The marriage lasted until 1994 when Cindy made public her dissatisfaction with the actor's addiction to work and his constant absence.

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Kevin Costner and Cindy Silva - According to People, the actor had to pay out around $80 million.

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Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren - Tiger Woods' six-year marriage to Swedish model Elin Nordegren came to an end in 2010, following several incidents of infidelity by the golfer.

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Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren - According to NY Daily News, the sportsman lost many sponsors and had to pay a settlement of around $110 million.

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Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren - The recurring cases of infidelity have destroyed his image and credibility as one of the best golfers in the world.

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Neil Diamond and Marcia Murphey - The American singer and Marcia Murphey divorced in 1995, after 25 years of marriage.

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Neil Diamond - The star lost $150 million, which accounted for half of his fortune. Neil Diamond told the Daily Mail that his ex-wife had enough money to live on for the rest of her life.

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Michael Jordan and Juanita Vanoy - Another millionaire divorce was that of legendary basketball player Michael Jordan and Juanita Vanoy, who he was married to for 17 years.

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Michael Jordan - Although the end of the marriage was amicable, the star had to pay out over $150 million, said the Washington Post.

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Michael Douglas and Diandra Luker - Today the award-winning American actor is married to actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, but before that, he was married to Diandra Luker for 23 years. The couple eventually got divorced.

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Michael Douglas and Diandra Luker - According to the NY Daily News, the star paid out $45 million in a divorce settlement.

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Rupert Murdoch - The majority shareholder of News Corporation has set the record for the amount he paid out for his divorce.

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Rupert Murdoch - His ex-wife Anna Murdoch, who he was married to for 32 years, received $1.7 billion, including $110 million in cash, according to an ABC News report.

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Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise - The two stars got married in 2005, but separated after 6 years.

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Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise - They had a detailed prenup agreement. In case of divorce, she should receive $3 million for each year she'd lived with the actor.

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Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise - If the relationship lasted over 11 years, the actress would receive half of Cruise's fortune. But, as the split happened in 2012, the actress did not get to that stage.

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Paul McCartney and Heather Mills - Paul McCartney's marriage to businesswoman Heather Mills lasted from 2002 to 2008.

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Paul McCartney and Heather Mills - Things did not go well and the couple eventually divorced in 2008.

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Paul McCartney and Heather Mills - According to the Telegraph, the
former model and activist wanted to get a £125 million payout but eventually took roughly a fifth of that number - £24.3 million.

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Mel Gibson and Robyn Moore - When actor Mel Gibson revealed that his mistress was expecting his son, his 31-year marriage to nurse Robyn Moore came to an end.

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Mel Gibson - It's estimated that Moore received about $425 million.

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Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt - Hollywood's hottest couple married in 2014, but eventually split at the end of 2016.

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Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt - Angelina Jolie requested the physical custody of all their six children - three biological; Shiloh and the twins Vivienne and Knox, and three adoptive children; Maddox, Pax, and Zahara. Her husband would have the opportunity to visit the children frequently.

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Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt -

Brad Pitt was expected to receive $150 million, and Angelina $120 million.

Sources: (People) (Telegraph) (ABC) (NY Daily) (Today) (Washington Post)

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Dr. Dre and Nicole Young -

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