Top 10 Most Expensive Divorces In History

Divorce rarely makes economic sense at any income level, but as Woody Allen once said, “The heart wants what it wants.” Here, in reverse order, is a list of the 10 most expensive divorces in legal history (as determined by the estimated size of the settlement). This list is according to Reuters, CNBC and Forbes.

10. Roman and Irina Abramovich, $300 million

Irina Malandina filed for divorce against Roman Abramovich, a Russian business tycoon, under speculation that he was having an affair. The settlement bestowed on Irina Abramovich in 2007 was reportedly worth less than 2% of her husband’s massive $18.7 billion net worth.

9. Robert and Sheila Johnson, $400 million

Robert and Sheila Johnson are co-founders of BET. They married in 1969, but after more than 30 years of marriage they split. Robert Johnson became the America’s first African-American billionaire, so when they divorced, Sheila received a large sum of the fortune, $400 million worth.

8. Mel and Robyn Gibson, $425 million

The biggest celebrity divorce of all-time. Robyn Moore married Mel Gibson in 1980, split from him 26 years later. Gibson reportedly handed over half of his $850 million fortune when he split with his wife Robyn in 2011. The divorce settlement is the largest in Hollywood history.

7. Craig and Wendy McCaw, $460 million

The Seattle-area businessman and founder of McCaw Cellular, Craig McCaw married Wendy Petrak in 1974, but they split up, in 1998, just a few years after selling the company to AT&T for between $11-$12 billion.

6. Steve Wynn and Elaine Pascal, $740 million

Steve Wynn, CEO of casino empire Wynn Resorts, married Elaine Pascal in 1963. They divorced in 1986 but remarried again in 1991, ultimately leading to their second divorce in 2010. Wynn lost ownership of about half of his stock in the company in his second divorce with Elaine Wynn in a $750 million agreement, according to reports at the time.

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