Divorces, especially among high-net-worth individuals, often involve complex financial settlements that capture public attention. From tech moguls to business tycoons, some divorces have resulted in staggering payouts, reshaping personal fortunes and sparking widespread discussion. Here's a look at some of the most expensive divorces in history:
Bill and Melinda Gates: Topping the list is the divorce of Bill and Melinda Gates, finalized in 2021. While the exact terms remain largely undisclosed, Melinda Gates reportedly received an estimated $76 billion, potentially making it the most expensive divorce settlement on record. Recent tax filings indicate that Bill Gates paid Melinda nearly $8 billion as part of their settlement. This substantial sum was a donation to Melinda's Pivotal Philanthropies Foundation. The couple, who announced their decision to end their 27-year marriage in May 2021, cited an inability to "grow together" as the reason for their split. Beyond the monetary settlement, the divorce involved dividing real estate valued at over $170 million, an art collection worth approximately $130 million, and a significant amount of Microsoft stock. Melinda described the end of their marriage as "painful" but necessary, stating that their relationship "wasn't healthy". Bill has expressed regret over the divorce and Melinda's departure from their charitable foundation.
Jeff Bezos and MacKenzie Scott: The 2019 divorce between Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and MacKenzie Scott resulted in a settlement of approximately $38 billion. This settlement, primarily in the form of Amazon stock, made MacKenzie Scott one of the wealthiest women in the world.
Alec and Jocelyn Wildenstein: In 1999, the divorce of French billionaire art dealer Alec Wildenstein and his wife Jocelyn resulted in a $3.8 billion settlement. This high-profile divorce garnered significant media attention due to the extravagant lifestyle and extensive cosmetic surgeries of Jocelyn Wildenstein.
Rupert Murdoch and Anna Torv: Media mogul Rupert Murdoch's 1999 divorce from Anna Torv cost him $1.7 billion. Seventeen days later, Murdoch married Wendi Deng.
Sridhar Vembu and Pramila Srinivasan: The ongoing divorce case between Zoho Corporation co-founder Sridhar Vembu and his wife, Pramila Srinivasan, has recently gained attention due to a U.S. court ordering Vembu to post a $1.7 billion bond. The court's decision was influenced by concerns regarding asset transfers after the divorce proceedings began. Srinivasan has accused Vembu of abandoning her and their autistic son, and of transferring Zoho shares without her consent. Vembu denies these allegations. The couple married in 1993 and lived in California for nearly 30 years. Vembu moved back to India in 2019, and divorce proceedings started in 2021.
Other Notable Divorces: Several other divorces have resulted in settlements exceeding $1 billion. These include the divorces of Bill Gross and Sue Gross ($1.3 billion), Bernie Ecclestone and Slavica Radić ($1.2 billion), and Harold Hamm and Sue Ann Arnall ($974.8 million). These high-profile divorces underscore the financial complexities and potential costs associated with dissolving marriages, especially when substantial assets are involved. The details of these cases often provide a glimpse into the lives and fortunes of the world's wealthiest individuals.
