17 High Profile Divorces That Made Headlines and Drained Accounts

Hollywood is no stranger to the pitfalls of high-profile relationships. Many celebrity divorces involve drama and gossip, as well as staggering financial figures for both parties.

In this article, we look at some of the most expensive divorces in the history of Hollywood.

Adele and Simon Konecki

Image Credit: IMDB © BBC 2015

The singer Adele and Simon Konecki, her philanthropist beau, recently parted ways. The divorce was one of the most talked-about splits in the music industry. Estimates suggest that Adele may have had to part with approximately $190 million of her fortune. However, the exact amount of the divorce settlement remains undisclosed.

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard

Image Credit: IMDB © 2016 Todd Williamson

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s divorce was expensive and publicized, involving numerous legal battles and public statements. Finally, the court ordered Heard to pay Depp $1 million for defamation.

Sylvester Stallone and Jennifer Flavin

Image Credit: IMDB © EX4 Productions, Inc. 2022

Sylvester Stallone and Jennifer Flavin ended their marriage after more 20 years in 2022. The divorce has a significant impact on Stallone’s net worth. Their long marriage and shared assets lead to a hefty financial settlement. The exact amount of the settlement is not made public, though.

Rapper Dr. Dre and Nicole Young

Image Credit: IMDB © 2012 – Indomnia Releasing

Dr. Dre, the hip-hop mogul, and Nicole Young’s divorce proceedings grabbed headlines. That’s because there were legal battles over spousal support and asset division. Nicole reportedly asked for $2 million a month as temporary spousal support. Finally, Dre agreed to pay his ex-wife $100 million in settlement.

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian

Image Credit: IMDB © 2023, FX Networks.

This power couple’s split was among the most followed celebrity news stories. Fans kept speculating about the details of their divorce settlement. The financial implications of their divorce are monumental, given their combined wealth. They also have multiple shared businesses, increasing the stakes. The final settlement was Kanye paying Kim $200000 in child support every month.

Sergey Brin and Nicole Shanahan

Image Credit: IMDB

Google co-founder Sergey Brin’s divorce from film producer Nicole Shanahan is highly confidential. However, due to Brin’s net worth, people speculate the divorce settlement is high. It’s safe to assume the financial settlement involved hundreds of millions.

Madonna and Guy Ritchie

Image Credit: IMDB

The Queen of Pop’s divorce from British director Guy Ritchie was not just a cultural shock. It was also a financial bombshell for Madonna. Ritchie reportedly received between $76 to $92 million in settlement. This included cash and property, underscoring the massive wealth of the couple.

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes

Image Credit: IMDB Photo by Christian Black – © 2023 Paramount Pictures.

The divorce of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes ended a highly publicized marriage. Holmes received custody of their daughter and considerable child support. However, the total financial settlement remains relatively private.  The spokesperson also said that Holmes did not receive any money from the divorce. All she wanted was the best for her daughter.

Mel Gibson and Robyn Denise Moore

Image Credit: IMDB Photo by Starz Entertainment/Katalin Vermes/Starz Entertainment – © The Continental © 2021 Starz Entertainment, LLC

Mel Gibson and Robyn Denise Moore’s divorce is one of the most expensive in Hollywood history. Robyn Moore received half of Gibson’s $850 million fortune. The settlement did not include any prenuptial agreements. This was surprising as most celebrity marriages involve a prenup before marriage.

Britney Spears and Kevin Federline

Image Credit: IMDB Photo by Cliff Lipson – © ‚2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc.

Pop icon Britney Spears’ divorce from Kevin Federline involved a $1 million settlement. The decision was in favor of Federline, along with substantial child support. The divorce also garnered media attention due to Britney’s fame. It affected her career and was a tumultuous period in her life.

Steven Spielberg and Amy Irving

Image Credit: IMDB

Director Steven Spielberg’s divorce from Amy Irving in 1989 was an expensive one. It was also one of the most spoken-about divorces during that period. According to reports, the director had to pay $100 million in settlement to Irving. This amount is a high one, even by today’s standards.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie

Image Credit: IMDB Photo by Scott Garfield – © 2022 CTMG.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s divorce is well-known as the end of “Brangelina.” It was one of Hollywood’s most high-profile splits due to their stardom. The couple engaged in a prolonged custody battle over their six children. The public isn’t aware of the exact financial terms, but it does involve considerable assets.

James Cameron and Linda Hamilton

Image Credit: IMDB Photo by Photo credit: Mark Fellman – © 2012 – Cirque Du Soleil Burlesco, LLC.

James Cameron’s divorce from Linda Hamilton is one of the most expensive in Hollywood. Hamilton received a settlement of $50 million which does not involve child support. Their marriage lasted two years, during which Cameron’s gained success with “Titanic.” That’s why the divorce settlement involved substantial assets.

Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries

Image Credit: IMDB Photo by 1

Kim Kardashian’s marriage to NBA player Kris Humphries lasted a mere 72 days. It led to a highly publicized divorce finalized in 2013. The financial settlement was comparatively smaller at $10 million. However, there was a lot of media attention and intense public interest in the divorce.

Kevin Costner and Cindy Silva

Image Credit: IMDB Photo by PARAMOUNT NETWORK – © Paramount Network 2022

Kevin Costner’s divorce from Cindy Silva was one of the most expensive of the 1990s. The 16-year marriage ended in a $80 million settlement for Silva. Costner’s success and fame at the time led to the issue being in the limelight. Surprisingly, the divorce occurred when the star was at the peak of his career.

Jennifer Lopez and Cris Judd

Image Credit: IMDB Photo by Courtesy of Prime Video – © Prime Video

Jennifer Lopez’s marriage to her former backup dancer, Cris Judd, was short-lived. Finalized in 2003, their divorce settlement amounted to $14 million. This was in favor of Judd due to Jennifer Lopez’s high number of assets. However, the amount is lower than that of others on the list.

Michael Douglas and Diandra Luker

Image Credit: IMDB © Netflix

The divorce between Michael Douglas and Diandra Luker finalized in 2000. Their 23-year marriage and subsequent divorce is still sensational. Due to Douglas’s successful career, Lurker received around $45 million in settlement.

Scroll to Top