By Melissa Gordon
While the well known figures may be dealing with sums much vaster than the typical prenuptial agreement is used to help divide and protect, the base fact is the same. Here's a rundown of some of the celebrities who went without prenuptial agreements, and the financially disastrous consequences.
Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Mills (divorced 2007)
Friends, family, the press and the public were all convinced Mills was a gold digger and her marriage to McCartney would cost him dear. The ex Beatles star, however, declined to listen, and married the landmine activist in 2002. Five years on, it had all gone wrong, and their union ended in the divorce courts. Without a prenuptial to protect him, McCartney saw fit to hire the lawyer who defended Prince Charles during his divorce from Princess Diana, Fiona Shackleton.
To an extent, that move worked, and McCartney was ordered to release assets and cash payments totally nearly $35 million to Mills, when figures closer to $100 million had been mentioned in the media. On top of this, McCartney is required to fund a nanny and school education for the couple's daughter Beatrice until she is 18 – at a cost of $70,000 per year.
Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer (divorced 1996)
It was the Royal wedding that enchanted the world, but unfortunately ended in the divorce courts. As mentioned above, Charles was represented by Fiona Shackleton, who had previously represented his brother Prince Andrew in his divorce from Sarah Ferguson. Princess Diana, who reverted to Lady Diana following the divorce, was eventually awarded $25 million.
Michael Jordan and Juanita Jordan (divorced 2006)
When the divorce between the basketball player and his wife was finally in 2006, trouble had been brewing for some time; Juanita originally filed for divorce in 2002, though an attempt to reconcile followed. After a 17-year marriage, Juanita was eventually awarded a seven-bedroom home in Chicago and $168 million.
Greg Norman (Golfer) and Laura Andrassy (divorced 2007)
When golf player Greg Norman was suspected of having an affair with tennis star Chris Evert, his wife Laura filed for divorce. The ensuing battle was a messy one, with Andrassy speaking out against Evert to the media; which Norman claimed violated a privacy agreement. Eventually, Laura Andrassy was awarded $107 million when their divorce was finalized in 2007. Norman went on to marry Chris Evert.
Ray Parlour and Karen Parlour (divorced 1998)
The name may not be familiar, but the divorce settlement between English footballer Ray Parlour and his wife of four years is considered something of a landmark in legal divorce history. Karen was originally granted two houses and a $450,000 lump sum amount, but alimony could not be agreed. Eventually, in 2004, a decision was reached:
For the next five years, Karen would receive annual payments of nearly $900,000. This gave her access to her husband's future earnings after their divorce, rather than his current assets; a landmark decision. British lawyers reported a surge in prenuptial agreements followed this ruling.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter.
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