The United States is considered to be the home country of CEOs. Many influential CEOs live in the country, such as Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg. Each of these CEOs has more or less contributed to the overall state of the world, and it’s pretty rare to find people who don’t know these people. However, the United States is also home to divorce, and some of these CEOs aren’t immune to it, regardless of how much money they have.
The divorce rate for people in the United States is pretty high compared to the rest of the world, but there are signs that this rate has been decreasing throughout the years. But it’s well-known to most Americans that the more money you have, the more likely you are to get divorced.
This is why it’s no surprise that some of the wealthiest and most influential CEOs have been divorced. While it may not be as common for them to get divorced, it does happen, and when it does, it’s pretty big news. It’s also a lot of money.
Some of the most significant settlements have been made by well-known CEOs such as Jeff Bezos, Steve Jobs, and Rupert Murdoch. Let’s look at some of the biggest settlements made by these CEOs.
Jeff Bezos and McKenzie Scott
Jeff Bezos is the founder and CEO of Amazon. He is also the world’s richest man, with a net worth of around $130 billion. He was married to McKenzie Scott for 25 years before they announced their divorce in 2019.
The divorce terms were not made public, but it’s estimated that Jeff Bezos paid $38 billion in the settlement, which is one of the largest settlements ever made for a divorce. The couple is still friends and are co-parents to their four children.
Bill and Melinda Gates
Bill Gates is the co-founder of Microsoft and is the second richest man globally, with a net worth of $127 billion. He married Melinda Gates for 27 years before they announced their divorce in May 2021.
Many experts believe that the divorce might be related to Bill Gates’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. Melinda also claims that Bill was “unfaithful” to her. The divorce settlement was worth more than $60 billion, making it one of the largest settlements ever made.
Rupert Murdoch and Wendi Deng
Rupert Murdoch is the chairman and CEO of News Corp and has around $17 billion. He was married to Wendi Deng for 14 years before they divorced in 2013.
The terms of the divorce were not made public, but it is estimated that Rupert Murdoch paid around $1.7 billion in the settlement. The couple has two children together and has recently claimed that they are in a good friendly relationship.
Harold Hamm and Sue Ann Hamm
Harold Hamm is the chairman and CEO of Continental Resources, an oil company. He has a net worth of around $18 billion. He was married to Sue Ann Hamm for 26 years before they divorced in 2015.
Harold Hamm has not signed a prenuptial agreement but had the chance to do it. It is estimated that Harold Hamm paid around $975 million to a billion dollars in the settlement. Plus, Sue Ann Hamm still owns a part of the company.
Divorce can be very costly for any business. These CEOs might be able to afford it, but you certainly can’t. This is why it’s crucial that you find ways to avoid it. Here are ways you can prevent such costly divorce settlements.
Marriage Counselor
It’s essential to seek help when you feel like your marriage is in trouble. A counselor can help you, and your spouse communicate better and work through your problems. They can also help you identify the areas you need to work on and improve.
Getting an Attorney
Think about the idea of divorce beforehand. Then, once you’ve settled with the idea, get a consultation from an experienced divorce attorney. They can help you understand the legal process and what to expect. They can also help you negotiate a fair settlement.
Prenuptial Agreement
If you’re a CEO or business owner, it’s crucial to have a prenuptial agreement before getting married. This will protect your assets in the event of a divorce. It’s also important to update your prenuptial agreement as your business grows and changes.
CEOs are some of the wealthiest people in the world, and they often have to pay a lot in divorce settlements. They might be able to afford them, but you can’t. So ensure that you take the necessary steps to avoid such costly payments.