The richest man in the world after a major divorce is still Jeff Bezos, despite his record-setting 2019 split with MacKenzie Scott (formerly Bezos), because he retained majority ownership of Amazon; however, MacKenzie Scott became one of the world's richest women, while Bill Gates also recently made huge divorce payments to ex-wife Melinda French Gates in 2024/2025, though he remains extremely wealthy and a top contender.
Bill Gates, the billionaire founder of Microsoft, paid out $7.88 billion (£5.9 billion) to his ex-wife Melinda French Gates's private foundation, according to tax filings.
Bill Gates's divorce in 2021 from Melinda Gates is the most expensive divorce with Melinda getting $76 billion ($86.7 billion inflation adjusted). Jeff Bezos's divorce in 2019 from MacKenzie Bezos; is the second most expensive divorce with MacKenzie Bezos getting $38 billion ($46.7 billion inflation adjusted).
With his first wife Juanita Vanoy (Juanita Vanoy), who bore him three children, Jordan divorced in 2006. The athlete paid his ex-wife $ 168 million - about $ 10 million for each of the 17 years of marriage.
5. Neil Diamond & Marcia Murphey - $150 million. After 25 years of marriage, the couple decided to divorce in 1994. Diamond reportedly claimed that 'she was worth every penny' of the $150 million settlement.
Demi Moore received a massive divorce settlement from Bruce Willis around 2000, reportedly up to $90 million in cash and property, making it one of Hollywood's most expensive divorces and a significant part of her fortune. This payout included valuable real estate, like a New York penthouse, in addition to cash.
Heather Mills received approximately $48.6 to $50 million (£24.3 million) from Paul McCartney in their 2008 divorce settlement, which included a roughly $33 million lump sum, other assets, and ongoing support for their daughter, Beatrice, including $70,000 annually plus nanny and school fees, securing her and her daughter's financial future after a contentious legal battle where she sought a much larger sum.
According to Forbes, Jordan's net worth is an estimated $3.8 billion. Per the outlet, he earned $90 million from NBA contracts across 15 seasons, and his off-court partnerships — including major deals with brands like Nike, Gatorade, Hanes and McDonald's — have brought in an estimated $2.4 billion pre-tax.
From Gates to Bezos: 8 largest ever alimony settlements that rival nations' GDP
Michael Jordan earns an estimated $250 million per year from his lifetime partnership with Nike through the Air Jordan brand. The payments are not a fixed salary but royalties tied directly to global sales of Air Jordan shoes and apparel. The deal originated in 1984 and remains active decades after Jordan's retirement.
Women initiate the majority of divorces, with studies showing they file in around 70% of cases, a rate that increases to about 90% for college-educated women, according to research from the American Sociological Association (ASA). This trend highlights that women often bear the emotional burden, experience unmet needs, and have greater financial independence, making them more likely to seek divorce when dissatisfied with the relationship.
Had Bezos maintained his full share in Amazon, without the divorce and without liquidating portions of his stock, his wealth could have been significantly higher. With Amazon's market cap now at around $1.8 trillion, a 16% stake would equate to $288 billion.
The archipelagic paradise is world renowned for its tropical beaches and a diverse marine ecosystem, but seldom associated with divorce. Not only did the Maldives have the highest divorce rate in the world in 2021, but it also has the highest divorce rate of any country of time in history.
25, 2025, interview with The Times of London, Gates referred to the divorce as his most regrettable “mistake.” “You would have to put that at the top of the list. There are others but none that matter. The divorce thing was miserable for me and Melinda for at least two years," he said.
The most expensive divorce in history was between Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, and Mackenzie Scott. The couple divorced in 2019 with a $38 billion settlement, making it the biggest divorce settlement ever recorded. Adjusted for inflation in 2023 dollars, this is about $44 billion.
Key Takeaways. Gates' three children will inherit less than 1% of his estimated $100 billion-plus fortune, which still translates to about a billion dollars. Gates says that providing his children with a massive inheritance could undermine their ability to achieve their own success and develop their own identities.
It may sound improbable, but there is a country that bans divorce: the Philippines. To be exact, both Vatican City and the Philippines prohibit divorce. But considering Vatican City's peculiarity as a theocracy, the Philippines are often referred to as the only nation that forbids divorce.
The most common examples are gifted and inherited assets. Money or property given to one spouse as a gift, or received through an inheritance, is generally considered separate property and cannot be touched in a divorce, as long as it has been kept separate.
Kanye West is making headlines with one of the highest child support payments ever recorded in the U.S., at $200,000 per month to Kim Kardashian. This significant commitment underscores his dedication to providing for his children and highlights the high financial stakes in celebrity divorces.
Yes, Taylor Swift is currently estimated to be richer than Beyoncé, with Forbes reporting Swift's net worth at approximately $1.6 billion in late 2024/early 2025, largely from her Eras Tour and music catalog, while Beyoncé's net worth is estimated around $700-$800 million, though she recently crossed the billionaire threshold. Swift became the first musician to reach billionaire status solely from her music and performances, surpassing Beyoncé's wealth.
When Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009 of apparent cardiac arrest in Los Angeles at age 50, he was over $500 million in debt, according to court documents filed on Friday, June 21 and obtained by PEOPLE.
She loved him, yeah, yeah, yeah – so much that Linda McCartney left her entire fortune of more than $230 million to her famed Beatle husband, Paul. And, in a wise bit of estate planning before her death from breast cancer in 1998, Linda arranged her finances so that Paul won't pay a dime in British taxes.
Linda McCartney died of breast cancer on April 17, 1998.
Paul McCartney- At first glance, it may seem surprising that the former Beatle paid ex-wife Heather Mills only $6,000 per month in child support. However, McCartney is responsible for the costs of a live-in nanny and private school education, and paid Mills $50 million in their divorce settlement.