When The Spark Dies Out: The 3 Most Expensive Divorces
Sometimes relationships reach a natural conclusion. The spark dies out, the mistress blows cover, the pool boy finally tells all. Whatever the case may be, it’s time to split your life down the middle and watch it slide off into the sunset. For most of us, it might mean figuring out what to do with assets like our house. But the more successful we get, the more stuff there is to divvy up. This leads to some truly gargantuan shifts of wealth and some very expensive divorces. As the world has watched somewhat shocked at the split of Bill and Melinda Gates, the conversation has naturally turned to “what about the money?”. With that in mind, let’s stick our noses into everybody’s private business and take a look at some of the most expensive divorces:
3. Rupert Murdoch and Anna Mann
Media mogul Murdoch and his former wife Anna called it quits after 32 years in 1999. Anna reportedly walked away with a $1.2 billion slice (plus $110 million in cash for pocket money) of Murdoch’s portfolio. 17 days later Murdoch continued his career as a serial monogamist with Wendi Deng. This was a doomed relationship as well, but by this point, Murdoch had gotten into the habit of doing prenups.
2. Jeff Bezos & MacKenzie Scott
In 2019 when the pair split, MacKenzie Scott received US$38 billion for putting up with Bezos. The couple had been together since 1992 when she had started out as his assistant. The split made Scott the third richest woman in the world. As for Bezos, well his bank account barely noticed the blip. He’s still the world’s richest man.
1. Bill & Melinda Gates
After 27 years together, Bill showed Melinda windows, and Melinda showed him the door. The divorce was amicable and was announced in unison on Twitter, where all relationships go to die. Shortly after the announcement, Bill sent $1.8 billion in stocks to Melinda. It’s expected that this is only the tip of the iceberg for the pair. Nothing’s settled yet, but their combined wealth is currently sitting around US$127 billion. We’ll have to see if that is cut down the middle. There has also been worry about the pair’s commitment to their charitable foundation, which is the largest philanthropic cause on the planet.