Celebrity divorces always seem to be front and center on the tabloid covers or the back pages of the newspapers. Three examples highlight different family law and divorce matters, and the risks and challenges involved. Let’s take a look to learn more about these cases and how they may apply to someone else’s circumstances.
First, consider the case of Nicolas Cage and his relationship with Erika Koike. The two apparently dated for a year, before getting married after an alcohol-fueled night in Las Vegas. Within four days Cage had filed for an annulment. Meanwhile, Koike believes that an annulment doesn’t settle matters, and that she is entitled to spousal support.
There’s a lot of he said-she said in this case, as there often are in celebrity divorce cases. Without reading too much into that, the marriage certainly seems like a rushed decision, and there seems to be a good deal of mistrust on both sides. Not exactly positive factors heading into a marriage, and certainly highlighting the fact that while you’re in a relationship, if you’re planning to get married, you may want to begin broaching the subject of a prenuptial agreement with your partner.
Another celebrity divorce case in the news is for Adele. With a personal wealth estimated at over $180 million, she and her husband Simon Konecki are now divorcing. Married in 2011, there was also notably no prenuptial agreement here. Adele, making a fortune from her individual and very rare performing talents, may find a way to defend her wealth against Konecki’s claims in ways that other types of earnings are not eligible for.
Even so, there’s a 9-figure fortune on the line, along with numerous properties and estates, as well as the couple’s six year old son. Adele has seemingly indicated that money isn’t the most important issue for her here, or elsewhere in her life, so it will be interesting to see if the child’s interests are indeed put first, and if so, if the couple can remain amicable in regards to parenting and finances.
Then consider the most expensive divorce case in history, Jeff Bezos. The Amazon founder is still the richest man in the world, at an estimated $110 billion, even after the case. His spouse MacKenzie received an approximate $35 billion by retaining a quarter of his Amazon stock. While this certainly seems to scream “prenup” to onlookers, there are other issues here, too.
Consider that she was the company’s first employee, and the couple got married the same year the company was founded. The two have been quite amicable, including in public, and seem satisfied with what they believe is a just conclusion. It’s an argument for sanity in the face of extreme situations and finding workable solutions to a shared problem.
Every person’s relationship, including how it may come to an end, is different, and celebrities certainly aren’t stand-ins for the rest of us. Nevertheless, it’s quite interesting to see how these varied cases are playing out. If you’re personally facing divorce, be sure to consult with a legal professional who’s licensed in your local area before taking any action.
