Celebrity and business divorces often become the subject of public discussion, but some of them attract attention not only because of the big names involved, but also because of the colossal financial consequences.
Let's take a look at the ten most expensive divorces in the world, each with a unique story and significant financial losses.
These cases serve as a stark reminder of how difficult relationships between two people can be costly.
Let's start with Alex Deavor's divorce from his wife, Patricia McCray. Their split in 2017 cost $4.5 billion. Deavor, best known as the founder of an energy resources company, and his marriage to McCray lasted more than 25 years.
The division of assets was not easy, as the couple had amassed a considerable fortune and ran a business together. Their divorce became a perennial topic of discussion in U.S. business circles, highlighting the difficulties of dividing assets at a high income level.
The divorce of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife MacKenzie Scott in 2019 was a landmark event in the world of finance.
The agreement on the division of assets was estimated at $36 billion. This amount not only became one of the largest in the history of divorces, but also led to significant changes in the sphere of charity: Scott decided to direct most of her share to support various social projects. Their divorce became a symbol of a new time when business and social initiatives intersect.
The divorce of the famous director Steven Spielberg and actress Amy Irving in 1989 cost him $100 million. This case became a landmark in the world of entertainment, as it involved not only financial aspects, but also emotional ones.
Spielberg and Irving were married for just four years, and their divorce has sparked discussions about how quickly important aspects of life can change in an industry where success and reputation are paramount.
Media mogul Rupert Murdoch's divorce from Wendy Denn in 2013 cost $1.7 billion, a sum that included dividing assets including significant real estate and business interests.
Murdoch's divorce is significant because it represents the end of an era in his life when the media world and personal relationships intersected, raising important questions about wealth management and social influence.
The divorce of one of the most famous names in the world of gambling, Steve Wynn and Elaine Wynn, cost $1 billion in 2010. Their marriage lasted more than 40 years, and dividing up those assets was a real test for everyone in the entertainment industry.
The divorce is yet another example of how personal and commercial interests can intersect, creating complex legal and financial consequences.
Director Oliver Stone and his wife, Toni Gnillek, had a $70 million divorce in 2004. Stone and Gnillek had been married for more than 30 years, and dividing their assets was a complicated, multi-layered process due to joint inheritance and property. The case highlights the importance of preparing for potential legal complications when you have significant financial investments and assets.
Actress and producer Patty Griffin's 2018 divorce from Robert Mosco resulted in a $34 million split. Their long marriage resulted in a lengthy legal battle that involved not only financial considerations but also the personal qualities of a potential post-divorce life.
The push for equality in asset division has also highlighted important issues about personal and financial security in relationships.
Google co-founder Larry Page's divorce from Louise Larson in 2019 was a $1.3 billion case.
The couple divided their assets in an environment of high stock prices and significant values associated with personal investments. The case demonstrates how modern technology and startups are affecting divorces, as well as the importance of financial planning when you have significant income.
The 2017 divorce of pop star Janet Jackson and Qatari billionaire Wissam al-Manu, while not specifically valued at a monetary value, is worth noting that the claims in the divorce proceedings involved child custody and the division of assets worth more than $200 million.
The case becomes emblematic of a successful partnership in the cultural industry that ultimately ended in legal complications and emotional fallout.
The final case is the $785 million divorce of renowned author and trader Nassim Taleb from Hotta Ramadani. Their marriage lasted less than 15 years, but the value of their joint wealth increased due to successful investing.
This divorce was another example of how quick success can lead to big losses in personal life and the need to manage a new asset.
Thus, the divorces of such celebrities and successful businessmen demonstrate the complex aspects of personal and financial relationships.
Each of these cases not only has significant financial implications, but also highlights the importance of legal considerations in personal matters. These stories serve not only as lessons for future generations, but also as a reminder of how complex and varied human interactions can be.
For reference
Divorce is the official termination (dissolution) of a valid marriage between living spouses.