What can we day about celebrity couples—the paparazzi go crazy and the fans love them! But what happens when a celebrity couple decides to put an end to a highly publicized wedding? Tragedy, painful public exposure, and millions of dollar in settlements!
In this list, we have compiled the most notorious celebrity divorces amongst famous people over 40. And if you think that being at that age has granted these celebs any sort of special ability to escape drama, you're wrong. There's no shortage of twists and turns in the divorce stories that we are about to unfold!
Mel Gibson & Robyn Moore - 2009
Back when he starred in movies like Braveheart and Ransom, there was no reason to hate on Mel Gibson. He was just a young American actor trying to make it on the big screen. But recently, Gibson's reputation has been shackled by a series of unfortunate events and outrageous public meltdowns.
It all started in 2009, the year of Mel Gibson's divorce. In an unprecedented settlement, the Signs star was ordered by the divorce court to pay a whopping amount of $425 million to his ex-wife, Australian actress Robyn Moore. At that time, he was dating Russian singer Oksana Grigorieva.
Michael Jordan & Juanita Vanoy - 2006
If you think that starring alongside Bill Murray in the so-bad-it's-good movie Space Jam was Michael Jordan's bottom low, you're probably forgetting all about his 2006 divorce with the American former model Juanita Vanoy. The couple decided to split after 17 years of marriage. The divorce proved costly to the former NBA superstar, as he was forced to pay a $168 million compensation.
But if you want to get an idea of just how good Juanita's divorce lawyers were, keep in mind that she was also able to maintain the custody of their three children, along with a gigantic, fully equipped seven-acre Chicago mansion.
Michael Douglas & Diandra Luker - 2000
Over 18 years after his divorce with the American movie producer Diandra Luker, Michael Douglas seems to not be over the fact that he didn't divorce her sooner! In a recent interview, the Basic Instinct star said that one of his biggest regrets in life was waiting until 2000 to get divorced.
It was certainly a hard blow for the 63-year-old Diandra Luker, who walked away with $45 million worth of court settlement. Nowadays, Douglas seems to have finally found the woman who is perfect for him. He's been married to actress Catherine Zeta-Jones since 2000.
Johnny Depp & Amber Heard - 2017
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard were once one of the most promising celebrity couples in the world. The Rum Diary co-stars got married in a Bahamian ceremony in 2015 after dating for about 1 year. But only a year after that, their marriage took a shocking detour.
In 2016, Heard accused Depp of physical and verbal abuse. The Pirates of the Caribbean star denied all allegations but ended up paying a $7 million settlement. Now, over two years after the divorce, Depp is surprisingly coming back with more drama as he decided to sue his ex-wife for... domestic abuse.
Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux - 2018
In a recent interview for Elle magazine, the former Friends actress, Jennifer Aniston, shared a piece of valuable advice: staying in an unhappy marriage out of fear of being alone is something damaging for yourself. That's her reason for having divorced actor Justin Theroux in 2018.
The two got engaged in 2012 and married three years later in a 2015 Bel Air ceremony. Despite no longer being together, they have remained friends. In 2020, Theroux will be appearing on the upcoming movie False Positive, while Aniston will be working on a new project alongside screenwriter Sophie Goodhart.
Katie Holmes & Tom Cruise - 2012
When his relationship with then-girlfriend Katie Holmes was still new, Tom Cruise went on Oprah Winfrey's show in 2005 to promote the movie War of the Worlds. However, he ended up making it all about just how elated he was at that moment. We all remember the couch-jumping, right?
Unfortunately, Cruise's viral display of excitement eventually faded away. He married Katie Holmes in 2006, but the couple has since filed for divorce. By 2012, Katie and Tom were officially no longer a couple. The reason for the break-up? Cruise's quite bizarre affiliation with the neo-religion of Scientology, along with the fact that he was planning to involve their daughter, Suri, in the organization.
Meg Ryan & Dennis Quaid - 2001
Back in 2001, Meg Ryan was the queen of the romantic comedy genre and one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood. She was also married to Dennis Quaid at the time; a fact that didn't prevent her from having an affair with the Australian actor Russell Crowe.
The infidelity case eventually became public, causing Ryan and Quaid's inevitable divorce. In a recent interview, Quaid reflected on his 10-year marriage to Meg Ryan and admitted that he, too, was unfaithful during their relationship. Some love stories are just not meant to last!
Tom Cruise & Nicole Kidman - 2001
Scientology has been ruining Tom Cruise's marriages since 2001. Just like Katie Holmes, Tom's former spouse, Nicole Kidman, was not a big fan of the religion. And while it hasn't been officially proved, many believe that the Cruise-Kidman divorce resulted from pressures coming from the Church of Scientology.
Before the divorce, Cruise and Kidman were one of the most famous couples in Hollywood, and they often took their chemistry to the big screen. They acted together in several movies, including Days of Thunder, Eyes Wide Shut, and Far and Away.
Ben Stiller & Christine Taylor - 2017
Actors Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor were one of the longest-lasting Hollywood couples before agreeing to divorce in 2017. The split came as a shock for many fans, who saw their wedding as one of the most stable amongst celebrities. They had two children during their 17-year relationship.
Despite the divorce, hope isn't dead for the Stiller-Taylor love story. Celebrity news is filled with recent reports that hint at a possible reconciliation between the two. We wonder how the rapport between them will be when they work together in the upcoming 2020 movie Friendsgiving.
Chris Martin & Gwyneth Paltrow - 2016
After 10 years of marriage and two children, there's no doubt that actress Gwyneth Paltrow and Coldplay's lead singer Chris Martin shared an intimate, passionate relationship. But all good things must come to an end. In 2016, Paltrow and Martin announced their divorce.
The split was motivated by growing distance and scheduling conflicts, but the two have managed to remain friends. Nowadays, the Iron Man actress is busy running her controversial lifestyle company Goop, while the English singer-songwriter is currently working on Coldplay's long-awaited follow-up to 2015's A Head Full of Dreams.
Drew Barrymore & Will Kopelman - 2016
Actors Drew Barrymore and Will Kopelman got married in 2012 and divorced in 2016. At first, Drew was attracted to Will's sympathy and loving family, but she has recently stated in an interview that the irreconcilable differences between them were just too big to be ignored. The couple's relationship ran out of steam in less than 5 years.
After welcoming two children with Will, Drew spoke openly about her struggle with post-partum depression. After decades of being in front of the camera since she was a child, Barrymore is now more dedicated to her work as a producer.
Kris & Caitlyn Jenner - 2015
In 1991, Kris and Caitlyn Jenner (who was then known as Bruce) tied the knot. They later turned into one of the most exposed celebrity couples in the world, following the premiere of the E! hit show Keeping Up with the Kardashians in 2007.
Dealing with the pressure of fame and constant surveillance of the public is never an easy task, and it proved costly for them. In 2015, the Jenners' divorce was finalized. Since then, much has changed in the couple's life. Caitlyn underwent a gender-transition operation, while Kris found love in the arms of the well-connected celebrity influencer Corey Gamble.
Jennifer Garner & Ben Affleck - 2015
After spending 10 years together and having 3 children, nobody expected Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner's divorce back in 2015. The separation was caused by an alleged affair between Affleck and the couple's nanny. However, there was another alleged factor behind the split: Affleck's complicated drinking habit.
The Argo star entered a rehab facility for the third time in 2018 to treat his alcohol addiction, with ex-wife Garner herself driving him to the clinic. We hope that, after getting help, Affleck will finally be able to go back to the big screen and deliver the kind of movie performances that have made him a star.
Gwen Stefani & Gavin Rossdale - 2015
Ben Affleck's wedding was not the only celebrity wedding that went down the toilet due to a nanny affair. Gavin Rossdale, Bush's lead singer and longtime husband of singer Gwen Stefani, did the same mistake in 2015. The alleged unfaithfulness of Rossdale was the most likely cause of the couple's separation.
Gavin and Gwen coupled up in 2002, after meeting in a 1998 concert that featured performances from both their respective bands, Bush and No Doubt. After the split, Stefani decided to quit rock & roll to get a taste of "Country". She's been dating country singer-songwriter Blake Shelton since 2015.
Marc Anthony & Jennifer Lopez - 2014
For about 10 years, singer/actress Jennifer Lopez and Salsa superstar Marc Anthony were the most caliente couple in Hollywood. They tied the knot in 2004 after dating for only six months. Four years after, they welcomed the twins Emme and Maximilian. Sadly, J-Lo and Anthony's perfect love story reached its end in 2014.
Having been married twice before, this was Lopez's and Anthony's third attempt at a happy ever after. Both of them have since moved on following their divorce. Marc was married to Venezuelan model Shannon De Lima from 2014 to 2017, while Jen is currently happy and in love with fiancé Alex Rodriguez.
Heidi Klum & Seal - 2014
Supermodel Heidi Klum and soulful singer Seal were together for almost 10 years, and the public was absolutely in love with their relationship. There's something about the unexpected combination of Klum's otherworldly beauty and Seal's sensitiveness that caused a sensation with the public.
But sadly, their fairytale story came to an end when they decided to file for divorce in 2014. The separation was not exactly amicable, with both sides publicly stating their reasons for the breakup. Seal claimed Klum was having an affair with her bodyguard, while she accused the Kiss from a Rose singer of having an uncontrollable temper and partying habit.
Téa Leoni & David Duchovny - 2014
Téa Leoni and David Duchovny were married for 17 years before separating for good in 2014. They still enjoy highly successful careers in film and television, but keeping their marriage alive was never an easy task. Duchovny is reportedly addicted to women. And it's easy to understand why that can be tough for their relationship.
In 2008, Duchovny entered rehab to deal with this problem, but that proved insufficient to save his marriage. Nowadays, Leoni and Duchovny keep busy by taking care of their two children and continuing to work in relevant Hollywood productions.
Robin Wright & Sean Penn - 2010
Recently, actor Sean Penn embraced all of his negativity by telling Esquire magazine that he felt like he was never loved by a woman. The statement includes his former wife of 14 years, Robin Wright, along with an impressive list of celebrity exes like Madonna, Susan Sarandon, and Scarlett Johansson, just to name a few.
Despite being a known womanizer, Penn's marriage to Wright was always seen as one that's likely to last. Still, fans of the couple hope that the two can reconcile and get back together, just like they did more than once over the years.
Heather Mills & Paul McCartney - 2008
Not even Sir Paul McCartney, a man known for his British nice-guy manners, was able to escape the stressful experience of a painfully public divorce. In 2008, his lawyers were involved in an epic court battle against Heather Mills' representatives that ended up costing McCartney an unbelievable amount of $48.6 million.
Turns out, that was not even a fifth of what Mills originally asked for! Marrying a former member of The Beatles, who are arguably the most famous music group of all time, is certainly cool. But divorcing him...that's where the real profit's at!
Guy Ritchie & Madonna - 2008
Back when Madonna and movie director Guy Ritchie got married in 2000, few believed that they would be able to stay together for close to 10 years! The couple separated in 2008, with Madonna later claiming that their relationship was not living up to her expectations.
Madonna's love history seems to point to the fact that she's easily bored by men. Her list of former boyfriends include names like Sean Penn, Warren Beatty, John Kennedy Jr., Tony Ward, Vanilla Ice, Brahim Zaibat, Kevin Sampaio, and Aboubakar Soumahoro. Will the Pop Queen ever settle down?
Christie Brinkley & Peter Cook - 2008
While some celebrity couples can stay friends after a highly publicized divorce, there was nothing amicable about Christie Brinkley's split with Peter Cook. Christie is a former supermodel with three other marriages in the bag, while Cook is a renowned architect mostly known for his... attraction to younger women.
Christie decided to divorce Cook in 2008 after finding out that he was having an affair with an 18-year-old woman! The shocking discovery led Christie to publicly criticize her ex-husband, claiming that he had an unhealthy addiction to women who are much younger than him.
Antonio Banderas & Melanie Griffith - 2015
Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith were yet another Hollywood power couple who wasn't able to go past their differences and eventually filed for divorce. However, there was nothing shallow about their relationship. They stayed together for almost 20 years, welcoming one daughter in the process.
In 2015, the sad news of their divorce hit the celebrity tabloids, with Griffith later claiming that she felt stuck in the relationship. She is now finally able to enjoy her life and freedom again. As part of the divorce settlement, she will be receiving a $65K monthly spousal support.
Jeff Bezos & MacKenzie Bezos - 2019
There's nothing dramatic in the Bezos divorce if it wasn't for the ridiculous amount of money involved in the settlement. Author MacKenzie Bezos received a record amount of $38 billion worth of Amazon shares from her ex-husband, business mogul Jeff Bezos. This billion-dollar divorce is so high-profile that MacKenzie is now the world's third-richest woman with a net worth of $36.8 billion.
Despite all that, MacKenzie and Jeff are still friends. A 26-year marriage, four children, and lots of history putting up Amazon just won't go away just like that! Jeff has praised his ex-wife's philanthropic work, as she's decided to donate at least half of her personal wealth through the Giving Pledge.
Jane Fonda & Ted Turner - 2001
Ted Turner made billions by founding CNN—the first 24-hour news TV channel, but few accomplishments in his life can compare to being married to the beautiful and talented American actress Jane Fonda. The two tied the knot in 1991, around the time Fonda retired. But sadly, the relationship was worn out by 2001.
The values of the divorce settlement were never made public, but we suspect that Fonda's lawyers weren't very easy on Turner's bank account. Still, at least one good thing came out of this celebrity divorce. Fonda returned to the big screen in 2005, following a 15-years hiatus, with the movie Monster-in-Law.
Morgan Freeman & Myrna Colley-Lee - 2010
Morgan Freeman's cool personality and deep soothing voice have turned him into the movie star that we all trust and love. But guess what? Mr. Freeman is not perfect, and his gigantic faults towards his ex-wife Myrna Colley-Lee have cost him up to $400 million in settlement money.
Given the fact that Freeman was not only having an affair with former school teacher Mary Joyce Hayes but was also involved with his step-granddaughter, E'Dena Hines, there's a chance this shocking divorce will cost him a lot more than just money! Will his fans ever be able to get over these appalling claims?
Steven Spielberg & Amy Irving - 1989
Back in the '80s, famed director Steven Spielberg was not only a visionary of the big screen; but he was also a prenuptial agreement innovator. He made one before marrying American actress Amy Irving, to whom he was married from 1985 to 1989. However, he wrote it on a napkin!
The court dismissed the ragged document as legally worthless. The result was a whopping $100 million divorce settlement. Spielberg is considered to be one of the best movie directors of all time, while Amy is the only actress to ever be nominated for an Academy Award and a Razzie in the same year.
Kelsey & Camille Grammer - 2011
Cheers/Frasier star Kelsey Grammer and TV personality Camille Grammer were married for over 10 years, from 1997 to 2011. Irreconcilable differences, as well as a Malibu wildfire that destroyed Camille's home, were the reasons behind the separation. The former couple agreed on a $30 million divorce settlement.
In recent interviews, Camille answered the critics by claiming that she deserved the $30 million settlement after watching out for her husband for almost 15 years. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star defends that women should be awarded their rightful divorce settlements after working hard to support their ex-husband. We couldn't agree more!
James Cameron & Linda Hamilton - 1999
Notable actress Linda Hamilton and blockbuster filmmaker James Cameron were one of the power couples of the movie industry during the '90s, but their love story didn't go past the turn of the century. In 1999, the two decided to separate; a decision that cost Cameron a good chunk of his money, specifically $50 million!
But the Titanic director should have seen it coming. After all, he was far from being a model husband. According to Linda, he was too focused on his job and having an affair with Suzy Amis, an environmental spokeswoman and former model to whom Cameron's still married today.
Brad Pitt & Jennifer Aniston - 2005
The year was 2000. Hollywood was about to witness the wedding of one of the most famous and celebrated power-couples of all-time, as the gorgeous A-list actors Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston tied the knot in a luxurious Malibu ceremony. It seemed like a match made in heaven. But sadly, the Pitt-Aniston love story eventually reached its end only five years later.
At the time, nobody expected the Brad Pitt-Angelina Jolie on-screen set-up for the movie Mr. & Mrs. Smith to turn into something real. However, the "Brangelina" quickly fell for each other. In 2005, Brad Pitt divorced Jennifer Aniston to pursue his new-found love.
Harrison Ford & Melissa Mathison - 2004
After 20 years of solid and stable matrimony, actor Harrison Ford's taste for women finally caught up with him. His ex-wife, American screenwriter Melissa Mathison, wasn't able to deal with the fact that Harrison was seen visiting adult clubs across town.
Melissa's patience reached a point of rupture in 2004, and she eventually filed for divorce. She walked away with $90 million. Harrison, on the other hand, was able to surpass his mid-life crisis and was rewarded with a new chance at love. He is now married to American actress Calista Flockhart.