Top 10 Most Expensive Divorces of all Time

What are some of the most expensive divorces of all time? Divorce happens every minute of the day across the world. In fact, studies show that 1 divorce occurs in America every 42 seconds, which translates to 86 per hour, 2,046 per day, 14,364 per week, and 746,971 per year.

It is not exactly clear how couples who were once in love suddenly push for separation. Nonetheless, it’s possible to grow out of love, among other reasons for divorce. And it is only right to end a marriage rather than live in self-deceit and unhappiness.

Since marriage is legally binding, couples have to follow through with divorce as a legal procedure to dissolve the marriage as well as terminate or share legal obligations and responsibilities of marriage. The distribution of assets and finances is a true nightmare for couples, especially the rich.

Below is a list of the Top 10 most expensive divorce settlements of all time:

1. Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos – $38 Billion

• Divorced: 2019
• Settlement: USD$38 billion
• Marriage: 26 years

Amazon CEO, Jeff Bezos paid $38 billion in divorce settlements to MacKenzie Bezos in 2019, making it the most expensive divorce in the world.

Before his divorce from MacKenzie, Jeff Bezos had a net worth of $167.7 billion. He admitted to the lack of knowledge of the existence of a prenuptial agreement. Hence, he was subjected to the state’s law of the division of marital assets.

Consequently, MacKenzie Bezos received a 4% stake in Amazon ($38 billion by 2019 market value), making her the second-wealthiest woman in the world. Francoise Bettencourt Meyers was the first and is still the wealthiest woman in the world to date.

2. Alec and Jocelyn Wildenstein – $3.8 Billion

• Divorced: 1999
• Settlement: USD$3.8 billion
• Marriage: 21 years

The second most expensive divorce settlement in the world was paid by the French-American businessman, Alec Wildenstein during his divorce from Jocelyn in 1999.

The couple who had been married for 21 years decided to put an end to the union after Joselyn found her husband in bed with another lady. This discovery led to an altercation between the couple, and then, divorce. The divorce proceedings which began in 1997 were finalised in 1999 when the court ordered Alec to pay Joselyn a $2.5 billion settlement, with an additional $100 million each year for the following 13 years.

Altogether, Joselyn received $3.8 billion as a divorce settlement from Alec Wildenstein, making it one of the most expensive divorces of all time.

3. Rupert Murdoch and Anna Torv – $1.7 Billion

• Divorced: 1999
• Settlement: USD$1.7 billion
• Marriage: 31 years

In 1998, the media mogul and owner of Fox News, Rupert Murdoch and journalist Anna Torv reached an ‘amicable agreement’ to end their 31 years of marriage due to reasons that were withheld from the media. Accordingly, the court granted their divorce request in 1999 and Anna Torv reportedly walked away with a $1.7 billion divorce settlement.

However, it didn’t seem to take long for the couple to move on as Rupert Murdoch married Wendi Deng 17 days after the divorce. On the other hand, Anna Torv married William Mann six months after.

4. Bernie Ecclestone and Slavica Radic – $1.2 Billion

• Divorced: 2009
• Settlement: USD$1.2 billion
• Marriage: 24 years

The divorce of Bernie Ecclestone from Slavica Radic seems to take an interesting turn and is one of the most expensive divorces recorded in history. Apparently, Ecclestone had moved his assets into Slavic’s name when he was experiencing severe heart issues in the late 1990s.

In 2008, the Croatian former model, Slavica Radic filed for divorce from Ecclestone who happened to be one of the richest persons in the U.K and the CEO of Formula One at the time. The divorce was granted in 2009 with Radic walking away with a huge chunk of Ecclestone’s wealth, an estimated $1.2 billion.

5. Steve and Elaine Wynn – $1 Billion

• Divorced: 2010
• Settlement: USD$1 billion
• Marriage: 32years

Steve Wynn and Elaine were married not once, but twice; both of which ended in divorce. The couple were married from 1963 to 1986 and from 1991 to 2010. However, the second divorce entered the list of the world’s most expensive divorces as Elaine Wynn walked away with a $1 billion divorce settlement.

6. Harold Hamm and Sue Ann Arnall – $974.8 Million

• Divorced: 2012
• Settlement: USD$974.8 million
• Marriage: 26 years

After 26 years of marriage, Harold Hamm and his wife Sue Ann Arnall divorced in 2012. The prosperous Oil Magnate issued a check massive $974.8 million to enable him to put the divorce in the ‘rearview mirror’.

However, Sue Ann did not cash in the check until 2015; she argued that the issued amount was not a fair share, believing her ex-husband is worth an estimated $18 billion.

As of 2022, Harold Hamm and Sue Ann’s divorce is the 6th most expensive divorce of all time.

7. Adnan and Soraya Khashoggi – $874 Million

• Divorced: 1980
• Settlement: USD$874 million
• Marriage: 20 years

Adnan Khashoggi had to give up a significant portion of his wealth to Soraya during their divorce in 1980. After 20 years of marriage, the couple ended their marriage and Soraya Khashoggi received an estimated $874 million, making it one of the most expensive divorces of all time.

8. Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren – $710 Million

• Divorced: 2010
• Settlement: USD$710 million
• Marriage: 6 years

Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren’s marriage ended in 2010, with Nordegren walking away with a settlement of $710 million. Prior to the divorce, the pro golfer was hit with cheating allegations to which he eventually confessed. Consequently, his career experienced a decline and his 6-year marriage ended.

9. Dmitry and Elena Rybolovlev – $604 Million

• Divorced: 2008
• Settlement: USD$604 million
• Marriage: 26 years

In 2008, Elena Rybolovlev filed to end her 26-years marriage to the Russian billionaire and businessman, Dmitry on the grounds of “serial infidelity.” The divorce became legally binding in 2014 and Elena received a $604 million settlement, making it the 9th most expensive divorce of all time.

10. Craig and Wendy McCaw – $460 Million

• Divorced: 1997
• Settlement: USD$460 million
• Marriage: 21 years

Rounding off the top 10 most expensive divorces is Craig McCaw’s split from Wendy McCaw in 1998, only a few years after Craig sold his business (Cellular and Clearwire Corp) to AT&T for about $12 billion. The 21-union ended with Wendy walking away with a stunning $460 million payoff.

Most Expensive Divorces Summary

Here’s a quick recap of the top 10 most expensive divorces in the world:

1. Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos – $38 Billion
2. Alec and Jocelyn Wildenstein – $3.8 Billion
3. Rupert Murdoch and Anna Torv – $1.7 Billion
4. Bernie Ecclestone and Slavica Radic – $1.2 Billion
5. Steve and Elaine Wynn – $1 Billion
6. Harold Hamm and Sue Ann Arnall – $974.8 Million
7. Adnan and Soraya Khashoggi – $874 Million
8. Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren – $710 Million
9. Dmitry and Elena Rybolovlev – $604 Million
10. Craig and Wendy McCaw – $460 Million