Most Expensive Athlete Divorces Ever
By NoelGRSr
Image: Nick Laham/Getty Images
Going through a divorce is seldom a pleasant experience, and it’s not uncommon for things to get a little messy around the time you divide up the marital assets. But what if those assets totaled into the hundreds of millions of dollars and were primarily earned by one successful half of the partnership? The following 20 sportspeople learned the hard way that when it comes to marriage and celebrity, it’s always best to get a prenup.
Image: Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesCharlie and Kenya Bell
Basketball player Charlie Bell’s marriage to TV star Kenya Bell finally ended in 2012 after drawn-out divorce proceedings. Kenya, though, walked away with over $1 million as well as bagging half of the pair’s properties and an additional grand a month in child support.
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In 2007 NBA star Dwyane Wade suited a petition for divorce from Siohvaughn Funches following a five-year marriage. That said, it wasn’t until 2013 – and with the outlay of some $10 million in legal costs – that a $5 million settlement was agreed.
Dwyane Wade and Siohvaughn Funches
In 2007 NBA star Dwyane Wade suited a petition for divorce from Siohvaughn Funches following a five-year marriage. That said, it wasn’t until 2013 – and with the outlay of some $10 million in legal costs – that a $5 million settlement was agreed.
Image: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images and Michael Buckner/Getty ImagesKenny Anderson and Tami Akbar
Erstwhile basketball ace Kenny Anderson and TV personality Tami Akbar signed an almost $6 million prenup before their 1994 wedding. However, Akbar overturned the agreement after the pair’s 2001 divorce and on top of claiming 50 percent of Anderson’s assets was granted monthly $8,500 child support imbursements.
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Retired basketball icon Shaquille O’Neal and former wife Shaunie Nelson eventually terminated their tumultuous seven-year matrimonial time together in 2009. The settlement was sealed from the public, but it’s thought that Nelson receives around $20,000 a month from Shaq.
Shaquille O’Neal and Shaunie Nelson
Retired basketball icon Shaquille O’Neal and former wife Shaunie Nelson eventually terminated their tumultuous seven-year matrimonial time together in 2009. The settlement was sealed from the public, but it’s thought that Nelson receives around $20,000 a month from Shaq.
Image: Brian Bahr/Getty ImagesJose Canseco and Esther Haddad
In 1991 former baseball star Jose Canseco petitioned for divorce from Esther Haddad, his then-wife of three years. Canseco claimed that the union was “irrevocably broken” and parted with $6 million and a couple of high-powered cars in the settlement.
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Former tennis ace Justine Henin married Pierre-Yves Hardenne in 2002, but the couple were divorced just five years later. The separation supposedly cost Henin $9 million in spousal support, not to mention an aircraft and a house.
Justine Henin and Pierre-Yves Hardenne
Former tennis ace Justine Henin married Pierre-Yves Hardenne in 2002, but the couple were divorced just five years later. The separation supposedly cost Henin $9 million in spousal support, not to mention an aircraft and a house.
Image: MIKE NELSON/AFP/Getty ImagesMike Tyson and Monica Turner
Mike Tyson was $9 million lighter of pocket when his six-year marriage to Monica Turner ended in 2003 because of his cheating. Turner also got guardianship of the couple’s kids.
Image: MARIA BASTONE/AFP/Getty ImagesMike Tyson and Robin Givens
In September 1988 Robin Givens told Barbara Walters that being married to Mike Tyson was “torture.” The pair concluded their divorce on Valentine’s Day 1989 after a mere 12 months of marriage, with the former heavyweight champ shelling out $10 million.
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Former football star Deion Sanders suffered through two years of court battles in order to end his 14-year marriage to Pilar Sanders in 2013. Thanks to a prenup, his ex was actually only entitled to a house – but one worth an estimated $10 million.
Deion and Pilar Sanders
Former football star Deion Sanders suffered through two years of court battles in order to end his 14-year marriage to Pilar Sanders in 2013. Thanks to a prenup, his ex was actually only entitled to a house – but one worth an estimated $10 million.
Image: David Cannon/Getty ImagesNick Faldo and Gill Bennett
English golfer Nick Faldo wedded Gill Bennett in 1986, but the marriage ended less than a decade later; Faldo was having an affair at the time. What’s more, the final divorce settlement set him back to the tune of over $10 million.
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In 2006 U.S. tennis queen Chris Evert was divorced from former Olympic skier Andy Mill – her second husband – after 18 years together, and it cost her $11 million in cash and property. The three-time Wimbledon champ went on to marry and divorce Greg Norman.
Chris Evert and Andy Mill
In 2006 U.S. tennis queen Chris Evert was divorced from former Olympic skier Andy Mill – her second husband – after 18 years together, and it cost her $11 million in cash and property. The three-time Wimbledon champ went on to marry and divorce Greg Norman.
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In 2008 the New York Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez may have taken home $28 million, but he also got handed divorce papers by Cynthia Scurtis, his wife of half a dozen years. Scurtis cited a “long period of infidelity” and reportedly received a $12 million property not to mention a slice of the marital assets.
Alex Rodriguez and Cynthia Scurtis
In 2008 the New York Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez may have taken home $28 million, but he also got handed divorce papers by Cynthia Scurtis, his wife of half a dozen years. Scurtis cited a “long period of infidelity” and reportedly received a $12 million property not to mention a slice of the marital assets.
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Long before his spectacular fall from grace, former cyclist Lance Armstrong married Kristin Richard way back in 1998. The five-year marriage came to an end in 2003, though, and reportedly saw Armstrong shelling out $14 million in the divorce.
Lance Armstrong and Kristin Richard
Long before his spectacular fall from grace, former cyclist Lance Armstrong married Kristin Richard way back in 1998. The five-year marriage came to an end in 2003, though, and reportedly saw Armstrong shelling out $14 million in the divorce.
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Hulk Hogan and Linda Claridge divorced in 2009 after two years of court battles and 23 years of marriage. Unfortunately for Hogan, Claridge was handed $7.4 million in cash, a $3 million “property settlement” and well over a third of the wrestling icon’s businesses.
Terry “Hulk Hogan” Bollea and Linda Claridge
Hulk Hogan and Linda Claridge divorced in 2009 after two years of court battles and 23 years of marriage. Unfortunately for Hogan, Claridge was handed $7.4 million in cash, a $3 million “property settlement” and well over a third of the wrestling icon’s businesses.
Image: Jamie Squire /AllsportJeff Gordon and Brooke Sealey
NASCAR racer Jeff Gordon was left $15.3 million out of pocket when his eight-year marriage to Brooke Sealey ended in 2002. Sealey divorced on the grounds of marital misconduct and, moreover, could allegedly substantiate her claim with a film clip.
Image: Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesMichael Strahan and Jean Muggli
Former New York Giant Michael Strahan married Jean Muggli in 1999, but their divorce in 2006 was a mess. Strahan was accused of adultery, abuse and more besides, and Muggli won $15 million, plus monthly child support of $180,000.
Image: via I Love Old School MusicsSugar Ray Leonard and Juanita Wilkinson
In 1990 Juanita Wilkinson divorced Sugar Ray Leonard after claiming that the former boxer had cheated on and physically abused her during their ten-year marriage. The settlement was kept secret, but Wilkinson asked for $50,000 a month and received a share of Leonard’s roughly $50 million assets.
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Tiger Woods was married to Elin Nordegren between 2004 and 2010, with the pair’s divorce papers blaming irreconcilable differences for their parting. That said, it was likely also down to the golfing great’s now-infamous infidelities. Nordegren got $100 million in the settlement.
Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren
Tiger Woods was married to Elin Nordegren between 2004 and 2010, with the pair’s divorce papers blaming irreconcilable differences for their parting. That said, it was likely also down to the golfing great’s now-infamous infidelities. Nordegren got $100 million in the settlement.
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Golfing legend Greg Norman paid out a jaw-dropping $103 million when he got divorced from Laura Andrassy in 2006 after a quarter of a century of marriage. Half of this was direct compensation, with Andrassy also bagging other effects including some artwork, an automobile and half a million dollars’ worth of jewelry.
Greg Norman and Laura Andrassy
Golfing legend Greg Norman paid out a jaw-dropping $103 million when he got divorced from Laura Andrassy in 2006 after a quarter of a century of marriage. Half of this was direct compensation, with Andrassy also bagging other effects including some artwork, an automobile and half a million dollars’ worth of jewelry.
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Former basketball god Michael Jordan was married to Juanita Vanoy between 1989 and 2006 – with the split at the end of that stint costing him an eye-watering $168 million. That puts it in the top ten priciest divorce settlements of all time.
Michael Jordan and Juanita Vanoy
Former basketball god Michael Jordan was married to Juanita Vanoy between 1989 and 2006 – with the split at the end of that stint costing him an eye-watering $168 million. That puts it in the top ten priciest divorce settlements of all time.