Johnny Carson and Joanna Holland
The legendary comedian and host Johnny Carson is considered an icon in the entertainment industry. He managed to shock many of his closest friends and loved ones after they learned that he had secretly tied the knot with model Joanna Holland in 1972. Their union was kept as private as possible up until the big announcement he made on his show.
After a couple of years, however, the two went their separate ways. Joanna Holland expressed her desire to part ways with Carson in 1983, and the proceedings went on for a couple of years until both of the parties’ lawyers reached an agreement in 1985. During the process, their 80-pager deal involving $20 million in the settlement was closely followed by both his fans and the media.
Ron Perelman and Ellen Barkin
This power couple, composed of businessman Ron Perelman and actress Ellen Barkin, was one of the highlights of the 2000s. The two first met in a social event in 1999 and exchanged vows in June 2000. It was a complicated time for the newlyweds since Ellen was busy with her successful career.
Devoting too much time to work and too little to relationships will test any union. This was why Perelman decided he wanted to leave Barkin. In 2006, a series of lawsuits and lawyers started. At one point, Perelman sued Barkin for allegedly ruining the company he owns. The actress also sued her former spouse for failing to keep his word about producing her upcoming film. In the end, the parties waved the white flag and came to a settlement of $20 million.
Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall
During the ’90s, Jerry Hall and Mick Jagger shocked the world when they exchanged vows in a private ceremony in Bali, Indonesia. Everything seemed to be running smoothly for the model and the Rolling Stones frontman until circumstances changed a decade later. This led to the couple’s decision to split in 1999.
The turn of events left many fans on the edge of their seats. Following the news of their separation, issues appeared left and right that directly involved Jagger. After the dust settled, their lawyers agreed to end things peacefully, and Jagger’s camp paid a hefty price of $25 million for the damages. In the end, the two went their separate ways but remained good friends for the sake of their kids.
Alex Rodriguez and Cynthia Scurtis
Alex “A-Rod” Rodriguez counts as one of the top athletes that have played in Major League Baseball, and he found consistent success in the sport for almost two decades. He also left a mark in history books for his total earnings of around $441.3 million during the years that he played the game. Credit card bills and everything in between seemed to be a piece of cake for A-Rod.
This was proven correct when he and his former wife, Cynthia Scurtis, went their separate ways in 2008. Rodriguez reportedly paid around $26 million as settlement money for Scurtis and their kids. Even to this date, there are little to no public records available that would shed light on the exact amount he gave his former spouse.
Hulk Hogan and Linda Claridge
Hulk Hogan and television personality Linda Claridge had an interesting and pretty public relationship. Together with their kids, their adventures, family life, and personal relationships were the centerpieces of the reality documentary show Hogan Knows Best. Things were going great for the couple and the family until they encountered a massive roadblock that affected their relationship.
Claridge left her husband when she found out about an issue involving Hogan and her daughter Brooke’s friend. Many fans were surprised but what was even more surprising was the amount that Hogan paid as a settlement in their separation. A total of $30 million was required by Claridge’s lawyers, according to reports. Other than cash, this also included some of the couple’s assets that they acquired together.
Michael Douglas and Diandra Luker
A few years before Michael Douglas met the current love of his life, Catherine Zeta-Jones, he used to be in a relationship with the film producer, Diandra Luker. The two were married in 1977 and pretty much lived what many consider a close-to-perfect relationship. However, they went their separate ways in 1995, and Luker agreed to take the $45 million settlement money. The producer then moved on with her life away from the spotlight.
The amount was reported to be half of the total estate Douglas had at that time, but it didn’t actually affect his credit score, thanks to his ongoing projects and good track record. Nowadays, Luker has chosen to live a more private life, while Douglas still remains a significant figure in the Hollywood entertainment scene.
Phil Collins and Orianne Cevey
Even with the rise of the new generation, music legend Phil Collins is still considered as one of the top musicians up to date. We’re not too surprised since he’s really good at his craft and deserves plenty of credit for his timeless songs. Over the years, he has achieved much success but also faced many challenges along the way. One of the most notable instances was the end of his marriage with Swiss-national Orianne Cevey.
They tied the knot in 1999 and were blessed with two lovely boys. However, their relationship went south and eventually reached its end in 2008. As part of their deal, Cevey’s camp agreed to a settlement amounting to $47 million settlement, a record-breaking amount for celebrity splits in British history.
Reba McEntire and Narvel Blackstock
Country music icon Reba McEntire and her manager Narvel Blackstock tied the knot back in 1989. Their ceremony took place at Lake Tahoe, onboard a boat. From the setting to the picturesque view, it is the perfect location for a private wedding. But twenty-six years later, the two put an end to their relationship but stayed on good terms for the sake of their kids. According to reports, their lawyers worked up a $47.5 million settlement.
Their separation brought about something positive; it gave McEntire the freedom to steer her career towards her desired direction. It’s a good thing that their relationship ended on a good note, and despite the money involved, the former couple remained friends without further issues.
Paul McCartney and Heather Mills
Paul McCartney and Heather Mills were one of the power couples of the 2000s. Considering their status and the impact they made in the industry, it’s no surprise that they got this title. For those who might not know, McCartney was one of the iconic members of the legendary rock band, The Beatles. On the other hand, Mills is a prominent figure in the modeling scene.
While they were together, their house was equipped with a good home security system to prevent overeager fans and even nosy reporters from invading their privacy. They protected their relationship, but some things really didn’t work out. By 2008, they decided to call it quits. Reports then surfaced that Mills agreed to her former husband’s settlement terms, which amounted to $49 million.
James Cameron and Linda Hamilton
Who wouldn’t know the legendary filmmaker James Cameron? However, for those who are not too familiar with the man, he’s one of Hollywood’s greatest minds, specializing in sci-fi films such as The Terminator series and Avatar. On the other hand, Hamilton is a well-respected actress and has quite a decent amount of movie credits to her name.
During the ’90s, the two of them entered an exclusive relationship. Hamilton eventually became pregnant, and in 1997, they decided to build a life together and finally exchange vows. It was a beautiful beginning for their small family, but their relationship ended just two years after. As part of their settlement, Hamilton received $50 million, which made headlines due to its astounding amount.