Divorce settlements in Hollywood often capture public interest, especially when it comes to the topic of alimony. Traditionally viewed as financial support from a husband to a wife, recent high-profile cases have flipped the script, with successful female celebrities paying significant sums to their ex-husbands.
This shift reflects changing dynamics in both gender roles and earning power among Hollywood elites. We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of women celebrities who paid huge alimony as part of their divorce settlements.
Madonna
- Alimony Amount: $92 Million
Madonna, the iconic pop star, divorced the British filmmaker Guy Ritchie in 2008 after eight years of marriage. The pair stated irreconcilable differences as the reason behind their separation. Their divorce settlement was highly publicized, with reports indicating that Madonna paid the alimony amount to Ritchie, including the value of their shared properties like Ashcombe House in England which is valued at about $30 million (as per the Reuters report).
Roseanne Barr
- Alimony Amount: $50 Million
Roseanne Barr and Tom Arnold ended their tumultuous marriage in 1994, which had lasted just four years. Despite legal advice, the couple did not sign a prenuptial agreement before marrying. This oversight resulted in Barr being obligated to pay Arnold substantial alimony amount in spousal support. Their separation was marked by significant public and personal discord, leading to one of the most notable alimony settlements involving a female celebrity.
Janet Jackson
- Alimony Amount: $15 Million
Janet Jackson’s nine-year marriage to Rene Elizondo ended in a highly private and contentious divorce. Elizondo filed for divorce and sought $25 million in spousal support, igniting a prolonged legal battle. Despite the presence of a prenuptial agreement meant to protect Jackson’s assets, the agreement was reportedly contested, leading to an extended dispute over its validity and terms. The separation was marked by significant financial disputes, highlighting the often complex financial dynamics in high-profile divorces.
Jessica Simpson
- Alimony Amount: $12 Million
Jessica Simpson, the pop singer and actress, divorced Nick Lachey in 2006. The couple, who were widely recognized from their reality TV show “Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica,” faced mounting pressures from their public life, which contributed significantly to their decision to part ways. The divorce settlement reflected their respective contributions and aimed to provide both parties with a balanced resolution.
Elizabeth Taylor
- Alimony Amount: $1.2 Million
Elizabeth Taylor, the iconic actress known for her dazzling career and numerous marriages, divorced Larry Fortensky in 1996 after five years of marriage. Their marriage faced challenges due to Fortensky’s discomfort with the intense media scrutiny and Taylor’s health issues. The couple met at the Betty Ford Clinic and were married in a lavish ceremony at Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch in 1991.
Candace Parker
- Alimony Amount: $400,000
Candace Parker, a renowned WNBA star, divorced her husband, former NBA player Shelden Williams, in 2016. The couple, who married in 2008, cited financial disagreements and growing apart as the primary reasons for their split. According to TMZ reports, Parker agreed to pay Williams alimony amount as part of the divorce settlement, in return she won’t have to give ongoing spousal support payments to her ex-husband.
Jennifer Lopez
- Alimony Amount: $50,000
Jennifer Lopez, a global superstar, divorced her second husband, Cris Judd, in 2002. The couple met on the set of her music video for “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” and married in September 2001. However, their marriage was short-lived, ending in divorce less than a year later, reportedly due to the pressures of Lopez’s rising fame and busy schedule. The divorce settlement saw Lopez paying a substantial, though undisclosed, amount to Judd.
Melanie Brown
- Alimony Amount: $40,000 per month
Melanie Brown, widely known as Mel B from the Spice Girls, went through a highly publicized divorce from Stephen Belafonte in 2017. The couple’s split was marked by allegations of domestic abuse, infidelity, and financial mismanagement. In return Stephen Belafonte filed a $5 Million defamation lawsuit against Brown, as he continues to deny ever abusing her. Brown finally agreed to pay spousal support alimony with a restraining order against Belafonte. Brown was also ordered to cover Belafonte’s legal attorney fees amounting to $140,000.
Mary J. Blige
- Alimony Amount: $30,000 per month
Mary J. Blige, the renowned Grammy winning singer and actress, divorced her husband, Kendu Isaacs, in 2016 after 13 years of marriage. The divorce was finalized in 2018, with Blige indicating that their separation was due to irreconcilable differences.
The divorce proceedings were highly publicized, revealing financial disputes and allegations of infidelity against Isaacs. As per the TMZ report, Blige’s financial obligations included retroactive spousal support payments and covering Isaacs’ legal fees, amounting to over $235,000.
Britney Spears
- Alimony Amount: $20,000 per month
Britney Spears, the iconic pop star, divorced Kevin Federline in 2007 after three years of marriage. The singer faced mental health issues which resulted in a court-ordered conservatorship for spears. Her ex-husband won the child custody case. As part of their divorce settlement, Spears agreed to pay the alimony sum for child support of their two sons, Sean Preston and Jayden James. These financial arrangements were widely covered by reputable sources like People Magazine and TMZ, reflecting the significant ongoing support Spears provides to her ex-husband.
Halle Berry
- Alimony Amount: $8,000 per month
Halle Berry, an Academy Award-winning actress, filed for divorce with Olivier Martinez back in 2015 after a two-year marriage. The split was reportedly due to irreconcilable differences and a contentious custody battle over their son, Maceo. According to the 2023 official news report by the Los Angeles Times, the actress Halle Berry is required to pay her ex-husband Olivier Martinez 4.3% of any income she earns exceeding $2 million. This settlement reflects the financial responsibilities and complexities involved in high-profile divorces.
Sherri Shepherd
- Alimony Amount: $4,100 per month
Sherri Shepherd, an accomplished comedian and television personality, went through a high-profile divorce with her second husband, Lamar Sally. The couple’s marriage, which lasted from 2011 to 2014, ended amid reports of disputes over a surrogate-born child. According to legal filings, Shepherd was mandated to pay $4,100 monthly in child support, which rose to $4,600 when their son reached the age of 13. This financial arrangement was a part of a broader settlement that included Shepherd’s continued financial responsibilities.
