The Most Expensive Divorces In History

Jeff and Mackenzie Bezos break up
Jeff and Mackenzie Bezos break up

In 2006, when Russian businessman Dmitry Rybolovlev divorced his wife of eight years, Elena, the proceedings were anything but standard. The couple had a daughter together, and Elena was awarded a $4.5 billion settlement, making it one of the most expensive divorces in history.

Former Formula One CEO Bernie Ecclestone’s divorce from his wife Slavica in 2009 was billed as the most expensive divorce. The settlement cost him $1.2 billion, which at the time made it the largest divorce settlement ever awarded.

In 2012, Silicon Valley entrepreneur Elon Musk and his wife Justine split after over ten years of marriage. The divorce cost Musk $160 million, making it one of the most expensive divorces ever.

 

The Most Expensive Divorces In History

RankCouplesSettlement
1Jeff and Mackenzie Bezos$36 Billion
2Alec and Jocelyn Wildenstein$3.8 Billion
3Rupert Murdoch and Anna Torv$1.7 Billion
4Bernie Ecclestone and Slavica Radic $1.2 Billion
5Steve and Elaine Wynn$1.0 Billion
6Harold Hamm and Sue Ann Arnall $975 Million
7Adnan and Soraya Khashoggi$874 Million
8Dmitry and Elena Rybolovlev$604 Million
9Craig and Wendy McCaw$460 Million
10Mel Gibson and Robyn Moore $425 Million

The world has seen some of the most expensive divorces in history. Some divorces have cost more than the GDP of small countries. These divorces often arise from complex financial situations, where each spouse is seeking to protect their interests.