Love stories are beautiful, and when we see our favourite stars falling in love and getting married, the thrill can be high. But when those stories turn sour, the heartbreak can be as public as it is painful and, for celebrities, breathtakingly expensive. From Hollywood to Bollywood, here is a look at some of the costliest high-profile splits and the fortunes they left in their wake.
1.Mel Gibson and Robyn Moore
When Mel Gibson and Robyn Moore ended their 31-year marriage, it was not just the end of a long love story, it became one of Hollywood’s most expensive divorces. Without a prenuptial agreement, Moore was entitled to half of Gibson’s earnings during their marriage.
That meant a staggering settlement of $425 million. Gibson, whose career included directing and starring in hits like ‘The Passion of the Christ’ (grossing over $600 million), was worth an estimated $850 million at the time. His lavish lifestyle also played a part, including the purchase of a private $15 million island in Fiji.
2. Rupert Murdoch & Anna Murdoch
It’s been more than two decades, but Rupert Murdoch’s split from Anna Murdoch still ranks among the priciest divorces in history.
After 32 years and three children together, the media mogul agreed to a jaw-dropping $1.7 billion settlement, $110 million of it in cash.
3. Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie
They were once Hollywood’s golden couple, the perfect blend of glamour, charity work, and on-screen chemistry. But Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s love story turned bitter. Meeting on the set of ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’ in 2004, they married a decade later, only to embark on a split filled with allegations of abuse and a high-profile battle over their French winery. The eight-year legal feud finally ended, with Jolie reportedly $80 million richer.
What began as an amicable separation grew tense, perhaps not helped by Murdoch marrying TV journalist Wendi Deng just 17 days after the divorce was finalised in 1999. Anna, too, moved on, remarrying within six months, armed with a billion-dollar fortune.
4.Hrithik Roshan & Sussanne Khan
In Bollywood, few love stories captured hearts like that of Hrithik Roshan and Sussanne Khan ,childhood sweethearts who seemed destined for forever.
But in 2013, after 13 years of marriage, they announced their separation. Rumors swirled that Sussanne sought an alimony of Rs. 400 crore.
While the exact settlement remains under wraps, it is widely regarded as one of Bollywood’s most expensive breakups.
5.Karisma Kapoor & Sunjay Kapur
Karisma Kapoor’s divorce from businessman Sunjay Kapur in 2016 came after years of legal battles. The settlement included Rs. 70 crore in cash and bonds worth Rs. 14 crore for their two children, generating an annual interest of Rs.10 lakh for their expenses.
Karisma also received full custody of the children and ownership of a prime Mumbai property once owned by Sunjay’s father.
6.Aamir Khan & Reena Dutta
Aamir Khan’s first love story was straight from a Bollywood script, neighbours who fell for each other despite family opposition. The couple eloped in 1986 and remained married for 16 years before parting ways in 2002.
Their divorce was amicable, with Aamir reportedly paying ₹50 crore in alimony to Reena. Even after the split, the two have remained warm and supportive, often appearing together at family events.