From Bill Gates To Sridhar Vembu: The Costliest Divorces In History

Divorces among the world’s wealthiest individuals often make headlines not just for the emotional drama but for the staggering financial settlements involved. Here’s a look at some of the most expensive divorces in history.

Bill Gates and Melinda Gates – $76 Billion: In 2021, Bill and Melinda Gates ended their 27-year marriage, resulting in the most expensive divorce ever recorded. Melinda received around $76 billion in assets, though the couple pledged to continue their philanthropic work together through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Jeff Bezos and MacKenzie Scott – $38 Billion: The 2019 divorce of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and MacKenzie Scott reshaped the ownership structure of one of the world’s largest companies. MacKenzie received $38 billion worth of Amazon shares, instantly making her one of the richest women globally. She later became widely admired for her large-scale philanthropic donations.

Alec and Jocelyn Wildenstein – $3.8 Billion: Back in 1999, the divorce of art dealer Alec Wildenstein and Jocelyn Wildenstein became infamous not only for its $3.8 billion settlement but also for the eccentric lifestyle of the couple. Jocelyn, often nicknamed “Catwoman” due to her extensive cosmetic surgeries, walked away with one of the largest settlements of the time.

Rupert Murdoch and Anna dePeyster – $1.7 Billion: Media mogul Rupert Murdoch’s 1999 divorce from Anna dePeyster cost him $1.7 billion. The settlement was one of the largest of its era, and Murdoch remarried shortly after. The case highlighted the immense wealth tied to global media empires.

Bill Gross and Sue Gross – $1.3 Billion: In 2017, billionaire investor Bill Gross and his wife Sue Gross went through a highly contentious divorce. Sue received $1.3 billion in assets, and the case became notorious for disputes over art collections and property, reflecting the bitter side of high-stakes separations.

Sridhar Vembu and Pramila Srinivasan – $1.7 Billion (Ongoing): The founder of Zoho, Sridhar Vembu, is currently involved in one of the most expensive divorce cases in India. In 2026, a U.S. court ordered him to post a $1.7 billion bond as part of the proceedings. Though ongoing, the case has already drawn attention for its scale and impact on the tech industry.

Kevin Costner and Cindy Silva – $80 Million: Hollywood star Kevin Costner’s 1994 divorce from Cindy Silva may seem modest compared to billion-dollar settlements, but at $80 million, it was one of the costliest in Hollywood at the time. It underscored how celebrity divorces can carry both emotional and financial weight.