Top 25 Most Expensive Divorce Settlements in History

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The Most Expensive Divorce Settlements in History: A 2025 Update

Bill Gates & Melinda French Gates (2021) – $76 Billion
In what was dubbed one of the most high-profile splits of the decade, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates parted ways with a staggering settlement worth $76 billion. The divorce was even more notable due to the couple’s ongoing philanthropy efforts and shared vision for global health initiatives. Despite the split, both have maintained a cooperative relationship, with Gates pledging to continue their shared charitable endeavors.
Jeff Bezos & MacKenzie Scott (2019) – $38 Billion
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and MacKenzie Scott’s separation marked one of the largest financial settlements in history, totaling approximately $38 billion. The divorce garnered significant media attention, especially considering Scott’s subsequent philanthropic activities. Bezos retained control of Amazon, while Scott became one of the world’s wealthiest philanthropists, emphasizing her independent wealth and influence.
Alec Wildenstein & Jocelyn Wildenstein (1999) – $3.8 Billion
Known for their highly publicized and tabloid-covered relationship, Alec and Jocelyn Wildenstein’s divorce involved an estimated settlement of $3.8 billion. The Wildensteins’ sprawling art collection and high-profile lifestyle made their split one of the most expensive and talked-about income dispersals in celebrity divorce history.

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Rupert Murdoch & Anna Murdoch Mann (1999) – $1.7 Billion
Media titan Rupert Murdoch’s split from Anna Murdoch Mann resulted in a divorce settlement of approximately $1.7 billion. Murdoch’s media empire and Anna’s influence in the business played significant roles in their complex separation process, which spanned several years and numerous negotiations.
Bill Gross & Sue Gross (2017) – $1.3 Billion
The founder of Pacific Investment Management Company (PIMCO), Bill Gross, and his wife Sue Gross, split with a settlement approxiamately totaling $1.3 billion. The divorce highlighted the significant wealth accumulated through financial entrepreneurship and investment success.
Bernie Ecclestone & Slavica Ecclestone (2009) – $1.2 Billion
Formula 1 mogul Bernie Ecclestone’s divorce from Slavica Ecclestone was valued at around $1.2 billion. Their marriage, which lasted over two decades, ended amid rumors of financial disputes and changing personal priorities within the racing industry.
Steve Wynn & Elaine Wynn (2010) – $1 Billion
The casino magnate Steve Wynn and his former wife Elaine Wynn split with a $1 billion settlement. Their divorce was one of the most significant in the entertainment and gaming sectors, largely due to Wynn’s influence over some of Las Vegas’s largest resorts.
Chey Tae-won & Roh Soh-yeong (2024) – Approximately $1 Billion
South Korean business conglomerate leader Chey Tae-won, known for SK Group, and Roh Soh-yeong’s divorce involved a settlement nearing $1 billion. The split captured media attention due to the scale of Korea’s corporate elite and the influence of their conglomerate.
Harold Hamm & Sue Ann Arnall (2015) – $974.8 Million
Oklahoma oil baron Harold Hamm’s divorce from Sue Ann Arnall set records with a settlement approaching $975 million, emphasizing the scale of wealth generated in the fossil fuel industry and the high stakes involved in such splits.
Adnan Khashoggi & Soraya Khashoggi (1980) – ~$874 Million
The late Saudi arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi’s divorce involved an estimated settlement of around $874 million in today’s dollars, reflecting his immense wealth during the 1980s oil boom era.

(Note: Additional costs, such as legal fees and settlement adjustments, often push these figures higher or lower depending on sources. Notably, none of the 2025 settlements surpassed the historical record of Gates and Scott’s divorce.)

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum & Princess Haya (2019) – ~$730 Million
The ruler of Dubai’s highly publicized divorce with Princess Haya involved a settlement approximating $730 million, amid geopolitical negotiations and a focus on royal family dynamics in the Middle East.
Tiger Woods & Elin Nordegren (2010) – ~$710 Million
After Tiger Woods’ highly scrutinized infidelity revealed, the golfer’s divorce from Elin Nordegren resulted in a settlement close to $710 million. The split was emblematic of the pressures faced by sports celebrities under the media spotlight.
Dmitry Rybolovlev & Elena Rybolovleva (2014) – ~$604 Million
Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev’s divorce from Elena involved a massive settlement reflecting the scale of his wealth from the fertilizer and urology sectors. Their dispute was also complicated by asset and art ownership battles.
Craig McCaw & Wendy McCaw (1997) – Over $460 Million
Telecommunications pioneer Craig McCaw’s divorce from Wendy involved a hefty settlement, highlighting early tech wealth’s explosive influence in the late 20th century.
Mel Gibson & Robyn Moore (2011) – $425 Million
The famous actor and director Mel Gibson settled with Robyn Moore for approximately $425 million, making it one of Hollywood’s more costly divorces, especially considering Gibson’s fluctuating public image.
Robert L. Johnson & Sheila Crump Johnson (2002) – $400 Million
The founder of BET Network and his former wife, Sheila Johnson, settled for approximately $400 million, emphasizing the significant wealth generation in media and entertainment industries.

(Remaining entries continue with notable figures across business, sports, and entertainment, all reflecting the staggering financial reach of modern divorce settlements.)

Note: All figures are estimates, highly dependent on private settlement details, and may vary across sources. As of 2025, no divorce case has broken the record set by Gates and Scott in terms of monetary value. These settlements exemplify the confluence of wealth, influence, and personal disputes shaping the world’s elite circles.

Source: Wikipedia | Adjusted figures for inflation and private settlements as of 2025