• Slide 2 of 21: All eyes are turned on the most recent power couple to announce their split; estimates put the Gates’ net worth somewhere in the area of US$146 billion in joint assets. Melinda Gates described her marriage to the Microsoft founder as ‘irretrievably broken’ in court papers.
  • Slide 3 of 21: In a bitter court battle, Beatle Paul McCartney and ex-wife Heather Mills landed on a divorce settlement of almost 25 million pounds (nearly US$50 million) in 2008.
  • Slide 4 of 21: When director James Cameron and actress Linda Hamilton called it quits in 1999 after just two years of marriage, saying they were “terribly mismatched,” he shelled out US$50 million in the divorce settlement.

    • Slide 1 of 21: Nearly 40% to 50% of marriages end in divorce, and the breakup of a marriage can be costly. From high-profile businesspeople to showbiz and sports personalities, here are 20 of the most expensive divorces of all time.

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The most expensive divorces of all time

Nearly 40% to 50% of marriages end in divorce, and the breakup of a marriage can be costly. From high-profile businesspeople to showbiz and sports personalities, here are 20 of the most expensive divorces of all time.