Top 10 Most Expensive Black Celebrity Divorces of All Time – Divorce is never simple. When passion is high, financial settlements can be even higher. In Hollywood, splits can run into millions, making love stories some of the costliest breakups in history. Legal fees, child support, and property disputes can make these divorces very expensive.
For Black celebrities, these settlements have hit record figures, grabbing headlines across the globe. From sports to music, these divorces are evidence that when love goes, the cost can be exorbitant.
Below are the ten most costly Black celebrity divorces of all time.
1. Dr. Dre and Nicole Young – $100 Million
Few Hollywood divorces have been more fiery than that of music billionaires Dr. Dre and Nicole Young. Married for 24 years, their marriage broke up in 2020 when Young divorced Dr. Dre. She alleged that Dr. Dre had abused her and opposed their prenuptial agreement.
With Dr. Dre’s net worth at $800 million, the divorce war immediately became a court battle. After almost a year of tit-for-tat negotiations, Nicole Young received a $100 million settlement. Although this was a substantial sum, it was only a portion of Dr. Dre’s wealth. Nonetheless, this is one of the biggest celebrity divorce payouts in Black Hollywood history.
2. Michael Jordan and Juanita Jordan – $168 Million
Michael Jordan and Juanita Vanoy met in 1985. They got married in 1989 and had three children. They appeared to be the perfect couple from the outside world. But behind the scenes, everything was not as perfect as it seemed.
Juanita divorced Michael in 2002 after reportedly hiring a private investigator to tail him. She later dropped the suit, and they attempted to make things work. Sadly, by 2006, their marriage had hit rock bottom. Juanita got a $168 million settlement, which ranked as one of the costliest divorces in sports history. She also got their Chicago mansion and other property, which ensured her financial security.
3. Bob Johnson and Sheila Crump – $400 Million
Bob Johnson, co-founder of BET, was the first Black billionaire in the United States. He and Sheila Crump were married for 30 years before they divorced in 2000. Their divorce led to one of the biggest divorce settlements in history.
Sheila was paid around $400 million, which earned it a top spot among the most costly divorces in history. Surprisingly enough, she soon married the divorce judge. Bob Johnson went on to amass more wealth, but this one is still included among the entertainment industry’s priciest divorces.
4. Lionel Richie and Diane Richie – $20 Million
Music icon Lionel Richie married Diane in 1995, and their marriage lasted for nearly a decade. However, things took a turn in 2004 when Diane filed for divorce.
She initially demanded $300,000 per month in spousal support, claiming she needed it for luxury expenses like plastic surgery, massages, and personal trainers. After much legal back-and-forth, the couple settled on a $20 million payout. Although Lionel kept expanding his career, this divorce cost him a lot of money.
5. Eddie Murphy and Nicole Murphy – $15 Million
Eddie Murphy and Nicole Murphy were among Hollywood’s most glamorous couples. They wed in 1993 and remained together for 12 years before Nicole petitioned for divorce in 2005.
The divorce was concluded quickly, and Nicole was paid a $15 million settlement. Although this figure was lower than in some other high-profile divorces, it was still a huge payoff. Nicole developed her career as a model and businesswoman, while Eddie persisted with his work in comedy and movies.
6. Janet Jackson and Rene Elizondo – $10 Million
Janet Jackson and Rene Elizondo secretly tied the knot in 1991. The public had no idea about their marriage until they split in 1999.
When their divorce was finalized, Elizondo sued Janet for spousal support, claiming he had helped shape her career. After a lengthy legal battle, they settled, and Janet reportedly paid him $10 million. Janet has had other relationships since then, but this divorce is one of her most costly personal setbacks.
7. Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee Simmons – Costly Child Support
Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee Simmons were a power duo for more than a decade. They established companies together and produced two daughters, Ming and Aoki. By 2009, however, their marriage came to an end.
Although the actual divorce settlement is not revealed, Russell committed to paying $20,000 a month for every child up to the age of 19. On top of that, Kimora also got a luxury car every three years to be used by the children. The deal made their breakup one of the most expensive in Hollywood.
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8. Kevin Garnett and Brandi Garnett – $100,000 Per Month in Support
NBA great Kevin Garnett wed Brandi in 2004. The couple was together for 14 years until the marriage was dissolved in 2018.
Brandi asked for $100,000 a month in spousal and child support. Although the overall settlement wasn’t made public, the payments were hefty. This divorce demonstrated just how expensive breakups are, even for pro athletes.
9. Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren – $100 Million
Even though Tiger Woods is no Hollywood star, his breakup with Elin Nordegren was one of the most costly celebrity splits in sporting history.
After a humongous cheating scandal in 2010, Elin asked for a divorce. The pay-off? A whopping $100 million. The case was a lesson to athletes and celebrities. Loss aside, Tiger carried on and is still regarded as one of the all-time greats.
10. Mike Tyson and Robin Givens – $10 Million
Boxing legend Mike Tyson married actress Robin Givens in 1988. Their marriage lasted just one year before Robin filed for divorce, accusing Tyson of abuse.
The divorce was finalized quickly, with Robin reportedly receiving $10 million. This split was one of the most talked-about divorces of the late 1980s and remains a significant financial moment in Tyson’s life.
Conclusion
Divorce is not only emotionally taxing, but for celebrities, it can also be financially crippling. These celebrity breakups show that love can be expensive. From Dr. Dre’s $100 million settlement to Bob Johnson’s $400 million payment, these divorces transformed the financial destinies of some of Black Hollywood’s biggest stars.
Though money can’t purchase love, it most definitely has a significant role to play when divorce is involved. These tales remind us that even the wealthiest stars are not exempt from the cost of heartbreak.
