What is the biggest divorce settlement in the U.S.? Quick Answer
- The most expensive divorce occurred in 2019 when MacKenzie Scott, formerly MacKenzie Bezos, received a 4% stake in Amazon, worth approximately $36 billion, as part of her divorce settlement with Jeff Bezos. This settlement made Scott one of the wealthiest women globally.
A Look at the Biggest Divorce Settlement in History, as of 2025
Divorce, a common occurrence in today's society, assumes a vastly different scale in the realm of the most expensive divorces, leading to some of the most staggering settlements in legal history. These high-profile cases stand in stark contrast to the typical divorce trends across the United States.
One of the largest and most publicized divorces was that of Bill and Melinda Gates. After 27 years of marriage, their divorce was finalized in August 2021, when Gates’s net worth stood at approximately $152 billion. While the exact terms were not publicly disclosed, Washington’s community property laws meant an equal division of assets was likely. This placed their settlement at an estimated $76 billion, making it one of the biggest divorces in history and a landmark case among billionaire separations.
Although the Gates divorce is often considered the most expensive based on estimated asset division, the highest confirmed settlement amount belongs to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and MacKenzie Scott. MacKenzie Scott received a 4% stake in Amazon, estimated at a massive $36 billion. This was the highest alimony publicly confirmed at the time, setting a global record and overshadowing previous billionaire divorce settlements.
Other notable billionaire divorces include:
- Alec and Jocelyn Wildenstein (1999): A settlement of $3.8 billion, which was the biggest divorce settlement in the world until the Bezos divorce.
- Rupert Murdoch and Anna Torv (1999): Their divorce resulted in a $1.7 billion settlement.
- Bill and Sue Gross (2017): Their highly contentious divorce involved disputes over homes, artwork, and even pets, ending with Sue receiving a $1.3 billion settlement.
- Bernie Ecclestone and Slavica Radic (2009): Their split concluded with a $1.2 billion settlement.
- Harold Hamm and Sue Ann Arnall (2012): This divorce saw a settlement of $975 million.
- Steve and Elaine Wynn (2010): The co-founders of Wynn Resorts finalized their second and lasting divorce, with Elaine receiving stock and cash totaling about $909 million.
- Adnan and Soraya Khashoggi (2014): Their split ended with a $874 million settlement.
Apart from the eye-popping numbers, the biggest divorce settlements hold lessons for everyone.
Lessons From the Biggest Divorce Settlements
You can also take two key lessons from analyzing the most expensive divorces, particularly if you are contemplating marriage.
First, try to educate yourself about divorce. Explore how courts divide a married couple’s assets. For example, personal injury settlements are often treated as separate property that belongs solely to the injured person, regardless of their marital status. You should also learn about divorce’s tax implications to prepare your taxes correctly.
Second, have a plan when you get married. You never know what the future might hold. Even if you do not become a billionaire, you do not want to leave your divorce settlement to chance. Instead, talk to a lawyer about a prenuptial agreement in case you become one of the many people whose marriage ends in divorce.
Let ConsumerShield Help You Plan for the Future
The sheer scale of the highest divorce settlement stands in sharp contrast to the typical divorce trends in the U.S. But any divorce can present challenges if you do not have a plan and legal representation.
ConsumerShield provides educational resources to help people understand their legal options. We also offer free case evaluations. Contact us to learn more about our services today.
