Divorces, particularly for the ultra-wealthy, can have immense financial implications, often involving staggering amounts of money. Below, we delve into some notable divorce cases worldwide that garnered significant media attention and featured remarkable alimony settlements.
Amber Heard and Johnny Depp:
The highly publicized divorce of former Hollywood couple Amber Heard and Johnny Depp, married for 15 months, attracted widespread media attention. Heard reportedly received a $7 million divorce settlement, which she donated to charity. Both parties accused each other of domestic abuse, leading to legal battles against The Sun newspaper. In 2022, Depp filed a defamation case against Heard for an op-ed she wrote, resulting in a court ruling for Heard to pay $10.35 million, later reduced. Heard won a countersuit, receiving $2 million. Eventually, they settled, with Heard paying $1 million, donated by Depp to charity.
Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates:
The surprising separation of Microsoft co-founder, billionaire, and philanthropist Bill Gates and his wife Melinda French Gates after 27 years of marriage stunned many. Court documents revealed they had a private separation agreement and no prenuptial agreement. Despite their divorce, they announced their intention to continue jointly running their foundation, the Gates Foundation, valued at over $40 billion. Bill Gates’ net worth exceeds $130.5 billion, and together, they owned properties worth millions of dollars. They have three children together.
Madonna and Guy Ritchie:
The divorce between American singer-songwriter and actress Madonna and her ex-husband Guy Ritchie in 2008 ranked among the world’s most expensive. Married in 2000, Madonna reportedly paid between $76 million to $92 million in the divorce settlement. The couple also engaged in a custody battle over their son, Rocco.
Jeff Bezos and Mackenzie Scott:
Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos and American novelist-philanthropist Mackenzie Scott announced their divorce in April 2019. Bezos, then the world’s richest man, finalized the divorce with a hefty settlement of $36 billion to Scott, making her one of the wealthiest women globally. Scott has since donated significant amounts to charity, including $1.7 billion to NGOs by June 2020, continuing her philanthropic efforts.
Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza:
The marriage of former Pakistan cricket team captain Shoaib Malik to Pakistani TV actress Sana Javed for the third time raised eyebrows, amidst ongoing rumors of his divorce from his second wife, Sania Mirza. Sania Mirza ultimately opted for a unilateral Islamic divorce known as ‘Khula,’ confirmed by her family. The focus then shifted to the alimony amount Shoaib would pay Sania post-divorce, with her net worth estimated at 216 crore and his at 230 crore, making it a high-profile and shocking divorce.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum and Princess Haya bint al-Hussein:
Dubai’s wealthy ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum and his ex-wife Princess Haya bint al-Hussein finalized their high-profile divorce in December 2021. Sheikh Mohammed was ordered to pay a staggering $728 million, covering security costs for her lifetime and their two children, amidst allegations of affairs and threats, which prolonged the divorce proceedings.
