Celebrity Divorces

(News from http://www.forbes.com)

Celebrity divorces are big business. Tabloids voraciously cover them. Fans hungrily follow them. Lawyers and business managers protectively orchestrate them. And they certainly are common. Last year alone saw the breakups of Britney Spears and Kevin Federline, Paul McCartney and Heather Mills, and Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe.

Many Hollywood marriages last barely long enough for the ink to dry on the marriage licenses. Singer Kid Rock and Baywatch babe Pam Anderson were wed for just four months. Actress Drew Barrymore's nuptials to comic Tom Green hit the skids after five months. Pop diva Jennifer Lopez and backup dancer Chris Judd managed to make it to only the eight-month mark before calling it quits.

Who did what to whom is far less important in a celebrity divorce than who gives what to whom. Generally, the bigger the star, the greater the payout. For the showbiz legends who landed on our list of the 10 Most Expensive Celebrity Divorces, the spectacular settlements with their exes made Hollywood history.

The 10 Most Expensive Celebrity Divorces

Divorce has its price — and no celebrity, it appears, knows that better than Michael Jordan.

The basketball superstar's split last December from his wife of 17 years, Juanita, is No. 1 on Forbes.com's list of "The 10 Most Expensive Celebrity Divorces."

Juanita Jordan could possibly "get more than $150 million in a settlement, making the Jordan divorce the most expensive in entertainment history," Forbes said.

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Neil Diamond, whose 1995 divorce from Marcia Murphey cost him an estimated $150 million, holds second place.

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Steven Spielberg comes in third for paying his ex-wifeSEARCH
Amy Irving an estimated $100 million, which was then half his fortune, when they divorced in 1989. The Oscar-winning director is now worth $3 billion.

Also making the list are estimated settlements between SEARCH
Harrison Ford and Melissa Mathison ($85 million);

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Kevin Costner and Cindy Silva ($80 million);

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Paul McCartney and Heather Mills, whose divorce could cost him more than $60 million;

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James Cameron andSEARCH
Linda Hamilton ($50 million);

Michael and Diandra Douglas ($45 million and two homes);

Lionel and Diane Richie ($20 million); and

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Mick Jagger and SEARCH
Jerry Hall ($15 to $25 million).

Forbes said they researched divorces of the last 25 years in compiling the list, which was posted Thursday on its Web site.

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