The breakdown of a marriage or civil partnership is an emotional and stressful time. Deciding how to divide your finances can cause disagreements and disputes, especially when there are substantial assets involved, introducing the potential for your divorce to become even more stressful.
At Crisp & Co, we specialise in high net worth divorce, regularly representing clients where there are significant assets that need to be accounted for as part of the divorce settlement. If handled correctly, even the most high-value divorces can be sorted out amicably, something we have a strong track record of achieving for our clients.
The following are some of the world’s most expensive divorce settlements.
- Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos - £26bn
The recent divorce of Jeff Bezos from his wife MacKenzie has become one of the most expensive in history. After 25 years of marriage, MacKenzie is set to be awarded £26bn ($35bn) in their divorce settlement and it has been announced that Jeff will transfer 4% of his stocks in Amazon, to her.
- Harold Hamm and Sue Ann Arnall - £744.8m
After 24 years of marriage, lawyer and economist Sue Ann Arnall and oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm divorced in 2012. It is estimated that Sue received £744.8m in the settlement.
- Bernie Ecclestone and Slavica Radic - £740m
Formula One mogul, Bernie Ecclestone and his wife of 23 years, Slavica Radic, divorced in 2009. Slavica was awarded £740m in the divorce settlement, rocketing her to the top of the Sunday Times’ Rich List in the ‘richest divorcees’ category.
- Michael Jordan and Juanita Vanoy - £128m
Juanita Vanoy received £128m after divorcing her husband of 17 years, ex-pro basketball player Michael Jordan, along with their seven-acre Chicago mansion.
- Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren - £76m
Pro-golfer Tiger Woods and his ex-wife Elin Nordegren separated in 2009 and then finalised their divorce in 2010. Swedish model Elin received £76m in the settlement.
- Madonna and Guy Ritchie - £50-£60m
It is reported that director Guy Ritchie received between £50 and £60m after his divorce from superstar Madonna in 2008. Guy also received the value of their Wiltshire estate and London pub.
- Paul McCartney and Heather Mills - £24.3m
One of the more high-profile and lengthy divorces, was that of Paul McCartney and Heather Mills. Upon their separation in 2006, Heather initially asked for £125m of Paul McCartney’s fortune. After turning down an offer of £15.8m, Heather was eventually awarded with £24.3m in 2008, along with annual payments of £35,000 to pay for childcare and schooling costs for their daughter.
- Kelsey Grammer and Camille Donatacci - £23m
Camille Donatacci filed for divorce from her husband, TV star Kelsey Grammer, in 2010. Aswell as being awarded £23m in their divorce settlement, she was given primary custody of their son and daughter.
- Donald Trump and Ivana Zelnickova - £19m
Donald Trump’s divorce from his wife Ivana Zelnickova was a media sensation in America in the 1990s. Their divorce was finalised in 1992 with Ivana receiving an estimated £19m in the settlement.
- Rupert Murdoch and Anna Torv - £1.3m
In 1999, media mogul Rupert Murdoch divorced Scottish-born journalist Anna Torv. Anna received £1.3m in the settlement. This was Murdoch’s second divorce.
If you need help with a high net worth divorce, contact our divorce solicitors today by calling 020 8017 8962 or by filling in our enquiry form below.