As much as it doesn’t seem like it (at times) I have to believe that when celebrities get married they must truly believe that it is for life. The reason I believe this is because unless they have an iron clad pre-nuptial agreement, they stand to lose a ton of money if they ever split.
Basketball great Michael Jordan can likely attest to that fact. In December 2006 (after nearly 20 years together) Jordan’s wife Juanita filed for divorce. News agencies reported the demise of the marriage as the “most expensive celebrity split in entertainment history.” According to some news sources, Juanita could end up walking away with more than $150 million. That’s a lot of money.
Which begs the question, why divorce? (I say that tongue-in-cheek, as the answer to that question is something out the realm of this Pop Culture blog.)
While Michael Jordan’s divorce is being touted as the “most expensive” celebrity divorce there are certainly many splits that have come very close to Jordan’s $150 million (plus) payout.
According to Forbes magazine (which actually keeps track of celebrity divorces and the cost of each), the 1995 split of Neil Diamond and Marcia Murphey, cost an estimated $150 million.
That expensive split exceeded Steven Spielberg’s divorce, which gave about $100 million to his ex-wife Amy Irving. Back in 1989 (when the couple went their separate ways), $100 million was half the movie genius’ fortune. Forbes now says Spielberg is currently worth $3 billion. So I guess $100 million would be considered a bargain.
Over the years other celebrity couples have made Forbes’ list of the most expensive divorce settlements. Here are just a few:
Harrison Ford paid ex-wife Melissa Mathison $85 million. Kevin Costner was made to pay Cindy Silva $80 million in their divorce. According to Forbes, the pending divorce between Paul McCartney and wife Heather Mills could cost him more than $60 million. Movie director James Cameron had to pay Linda Hamilton $50 million when they split. Actor Michael shelled out $45 million and two homes to estranged wife Diandra Douglas. Lionel Richie paid his wife $20 million in their divorce and Mick Jagger settled with Jerry Hall for roughly $20 million.
You have to wonder if it was all worth it?
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