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Most Expensive Celebrity Divorces: Amber Heard, Johnny Depp & More Hollywood Divorce Settlements

By:
February 15, 2023 1:40PM EST
Amber Heard, Johnny Depp
Shutterstock

When it comes to Hollywood divorces, things can get messy fast, especially when there’s a fortune at stake. Splitting up big bucks can lead to drawn-out court battles and hefty settlements. And don’t even get us started on prenuptial problems!

Take the whirlwind divorce of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. Despite being married for a mere 15 months, Amber walked away with a cool $7 million settlement, which she promptly donated to charity. But the drama was far from over. After Amber accused Johnny of domestic violence, he turned around and sued her for defamation. The highly publicized trial ended in Johnny being awarded $15 million in damages. She initially appealed the case, before settling with her ex in Dec. 2022, as reported by the LA Times.  The tables were turned back in Nov. 2022, when Johnny lost a libel case against The Sun. The newspaper had labeled him a “wife-beater,” and the judge found the claim to be substantially true.

 

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Johnny Depp & Amber Heard

Johnny Depp & Amber Heard
Alan Davidson/Shutterstock

When it comes to Hollywood divorces, things can get messy fast, especially when there’s a fortune at stake. Splitting up big bucks can lead to drawn-out court battles and hefty settlements. And don’t even get us started on prenuptial problems!

Take the whirlwind divorce of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. Despite being married for a mere 15 months, Amber walked away with a cool $7 million settlement, which she promptly donated to charity. But the drama was far from over.

After Amber accused Johnny of domestic violence, he turned around and sued her for defamation. The highly publicized trial ended in Johnny being awarded $15 million in damages. She initially appealed the case, before settling with her ex in Dec. 2022, as reported by the LA Times. 

The tables were turned back in Nov. 2022, when Johnny lost a libel case against The Sun. The newspaper had labeled him a “wife-beater,” and the judge found the claim to be substantially true.

Curious about the most expensive celebrity divorces in history? Head on over to our gallery for the inside scoop

September 6, 2022, 11:14AM
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Charlie Sheen & Denise Richards

Charlie Sheen & Denise Richards
Patrick Rideaux/Shutterstock

Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards seemed like a match when they wed in 2003, but things ended in divorce only 3 years later. In court documents, Denise claimed Charlie was abusive, used drugs, and slept with prostitutes during their marriage.

Though their initial divorce numbers were never made public, the actress did reveal they had no prenup. In 2019, she filed court docs claiming Charlie owed her $450k in back child support for their daughters Lola and Sami.

September 6, 2022, 11:14AM
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Kim Basinger & Alec Baldwin

Kim Basinger & Alec Baldwin
Bei/Shutterstock

Not only did Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin’s divorce last years, but it also reportedly cost millions. The couple separated in 2000 after 7 years wed, and while they divorced two years later, they were embroiled in a tense 7-year battle for daughter Ireland.

In his 2008 book about the saga, Alec claimed she spent more than $1.5m trying to bar him from having custody, while he spent close to $1m fighting back.

The pair have mended thing in years since. Kim told Net-a-Porter in 2016, ‘[Alec and I are] cool now, though. Life goes on.’

September 6, 2022, 11:14AM
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Ivana & Donald Trump

Ivana & Donald Trump
Mantel/Sipa/Shutterstock

Ivana Trump and Donald Trump’s divorce made major headlines in 1990. It was tabloid fodder after Trump’s affair with 2nd with Marla Maples was discovered. There were even rumors the former President tried to lock Ivana out of her office at the Plaza Hotel. Ivana and Trump’s subsequent divorce reportedly cost him $25 million.

September 6, 2022, 11:14AM
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Madonna & Guy Ritchie

Madonna & Guy Ritchie
Alan Davidson/Shutterstock

Madonna reportedly paid ex Guy Ritchie between $76 million to $92 million after they split in 2008. They also became tied up in a custody battle over son Rocco, which was eventually resolved.

September 6, 2022, 11:14AM
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Harrison Ford & Melissa Mathison

Harrison Ford & Melissa Mathison
Harry Myers/Shutterstock

Melissa Mathison and Harrison Ford broke up in 2004 after 21 years of marriage. She walked away with an $85 million settlement, according to Forbes.

In addition to her settlement, Melissa negotiated a piece of Ford’s future earnings from films he made while married, including the ‘Indiana Jones’ trilogy.

September 6, 2022, 11:14AM
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Princess Diana & Prince Charles

Princess Diana & Prince Charles
Ron Bell/AP/Shutterstock

Britain’s Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer’s divorce was whispered about all around the world. After separating in 1992, they finalized the split in 1996 with Lady Di reportedly walking away with $22.5 million in cash plus $600,000 a year for her office, per the New York Times. She died a year later in 1997.

September 6, 2022, 11:14AM
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Dr. Dre & Nicole Young

Dr. Dre & Nicole Young
Broadimage/Shutterstock

Dr. Dre and Nicole Young’s divorce battle saw nasty accusations on both sides. It left Dre agreeing to pay a $100 million settlement in Dec. 2021, per TMZ. Dr. Dre is worth $820 million.

September 6, 2022, 11:14AM
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Bill & Melinda Gates

Bill & Melinda Gates
Alan Davidson/Shutterstock

Bill Gates and wife Melinda surprised the world when they announced they were divorcing in May 2021, after 27 years of marriage. Since they didn’t have a pre-nup, Melinda might have been entitled to half of Bill’s estimated $130 billion fortune. The exact details of the divorce settlement have remained private,  however.

Their charitable foundation is worth another $40 million, and they shared over $200 million in property. The details of the divorce settlement are not public, however.

September 6, 2022, 11:14AM
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Jeff Bezos & MacKenzie Scott

Jeff Bezos & MacKenzie Scott
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutte

Another billionaire breakup was between Jeff Bezos and ex MacKenzie Scott. They broke up just a year after he was dubbed the richest man in the world in 2018.

Since they lived in Washington, community property laws meants that all their assets and debts were owned equally without a prenup. They worked out an arrangement, leaving Mackenzie with $36 billion after the divorce was finalized in Apr. 2019.

September 6, 2022, 11:14AM
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Juanita & Michael Jordan

Juanita & Michael Jordan
Fitzroy Barrett/Shutterstock

Michael Jordan split with wife Juanita in 2006 after 17 years of marriage. She walked away with a whopping $168 million.

September 6, 2022, 11:14AM
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Paul McCartney & Heather Mills

Paul McCartney & Heather Mills
Shawn Baldwin/AP/Shutterstock

Paul McCartney’s 2008 divorce from model Heather Mills cost him $50 million. He later said, “I suppose the marriage has to be a prime contender for mistake of the decade.”

September 6, 2022, 11:14AM
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Steven Spielberg & Amy Irving

Steven Spielberg & Amy Irving
Bei/Shutterstock

Steven Spielberg’s 1989 split from Amy Irving hit his pocketbook hard. Though they were only together for 4 years, he forked out $100million.

September 6, 2022, 11:14AM
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Mel Gibson & Robyn Moore

Mel Gibson & Robyn Moore
Bei/Shutterstock

Mel Gibson and Robyn Moore divorced in 2011 after nearly 3 decades together. She managed to secure half of his $850 million fortune, walking away with $425 million.

September 6, 2022, 11:14AM