Divorces can be financially significant, especially for the ultra-wealthy, often involving millions or even billions of dollars. Here, we highlight some extraordinary divorce cases worldwide that garnered substantial media attention and included staggering amounts of alimony.
Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza:
When former Pakistan cricket team captain Shoaib Malik married Pakistani TV actress Sana Javed for the third time, it shocked many, amidst lingering rumours of his divorce from his second wife, Sania Mirza. Later confirmed by Sania’s family, she opted for ‘Khula,’ a unilateral Islamic divorce. The question then turned to the amount Shoaib would pay Sania post-divorce. Sania Mirza’s net worth is 216 crore, while Shoaib Malik’s is 230 crore, making it one of the most high-profile and shocking divorces.
Amber Heard and Johnny Depp:
This high-profile divorce captured media attention, involving former Hollywood couple Amber Heard and Johnny Depp, married for 15 months. Heard reportedly received a $7 million divorce settlement, which she donated to charity. Both accused each other of domestic abuse, leading to legal battles against The Sun newspaper, where Depp lost and appealed. In 2022, Depp filed a defamation case against Heard for an op-ed she wrote, resulting in a court ruling for Heard to pay $10.35 million, later reduced. Heard won a countersuit, receiving $2 million. Eventually, they settled, with Heard paying $1 million, donated by Depp to charity.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum and Princess Haya bint al-Hussein:
In December 2021, Dubai’s wealthy ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum and his ex-wife Princess Haya bint al-Hussein finalized their high-profile divorce. Sheikh Mohammed was ordered to pay a staggering $728 million to cover security costs for her lifetime and their two children, amidst accusations of affairs and threats, prolonging the divorce proceedings.
Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates:
The separation of Microsoft co-founder, billionaire, and philanthropist Bill Gates and his wife Melinda French Gates on May 2, 2021, came as a surprise to many after 27 years of marriage. Court documents revealed they had a private separation agreement and no prenuptial agreement. Despite their divorce, they announced their intention to continue running their foundation together, the Gates Foundation, valued at over $40 billion. Bill Gates’ net worth exceeds $130.5 billion, and together, they owned properties worth millions of dollars. They share three children.
Madonna and Guy Ritchie:
The divorce between American singer-songwriter and actress Madonna and her ex-husband Guy Ritchie in 2008 was one of the world’s most expensive. Married in 2000, Madonna reportedly paid between $76 million to $92 million in the divorce settlement. The couple also engaged in a custody battle over their son, Rocco.
Jeff Bezos and Mackenzie Scott:
Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos and American novelist-philanthropist Mackenzie Scott announced their divorce in April 2019. Bezos, then the world’s richest man, finalized the divorce with a hefty settlement of $36 billion to Scott, making her one of the wealthiest women globally. Scott has since donated significant amounts to charity, including $1.7 billion to NGOs by June 2020, continuing her philanthropic efforts.
