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