Celebrities Who Were Sued by Their Own Ex-Spouses for Millions

When celebrities get divorced, it often leads to complicated and public legal fights. Because there’s usually a lot of money involved, these divorces can quickly escalate from simple agreements into serious lawsuits with accusations of dishonesty, broken promises, or damage to reputation. These cases reveal how complex the finances of wealthy people can be and the potential career consequences of a messy divorce. Disputes over businesses they built together and arguments about alimony are common, showing just how expensive celebrity divorces can be.

Johnny Depp

Following a well-publicized legal case in the UK, Johnny Depp sued his former wife, Amber Heard, for $50 million in Virginia, claiming she defamed him in an article for The Washington Post. He argued the article harmed his career and reputation. Heard then countersued Depp for $100 million, citing statements made by his lawyers. After a televised trial, the jury awarded Depp $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages.

Brad Pitt

After Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie separated in 2016, Pitt filed a lawsuit against Jolie because she sold her part of their French winery, Chateau Miraval, to another company without his permission. Pitt claimed Jolie violated their agreement by selling her share to a company linked to the Stoli Group. Jolie then countersued for $250 million, arguing through her investment company that Pitt was trying to take over the business. The resulting legal battle has been ongoing for years, with both sides accusing the other of financial wrongdoing and failing to act in the best interests of the company.

Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson filed for divorce from Brandon Blackstock in 2020, and their split led to a costly legal fight over how much he was owed for managing her career. Blackstock’s company claimed Clarkson owed them $1.4 million in commissions, but Clarkson sued back, arguing he wasn’t legally authorized to act as her manager. A labor official in California eventually ruled that Blackstock actually owed Clarkson over $2.6 million because he had overcharged her during his time as her manager. The case showed how difficult it can be when personal and professional relationships overlap in the entertainment world.

Dr. Dre

Nicole Young and Dr. Dre had a difficult and drawn-out divorce. During the process, Young asked the court for $2 million each month to cover living expenses, arguing that Dr. Dre was extremely wealthy. They disagreed about a prenuptial agreement and who owned certain creative works made during their marriage. Finally, they reached an agreement where Dr. Dre would pay Young $100 million in two payments to end the case.

Terrence Howard

Actor Jussie Smollett faced a lengthy legal dispute with his former wife, Michelle Ghent, who claimed he hadn’t paid the agreed-upon spousal support and other damages following their divorce. Smollett tried to invalidate their divorce settlement, arguing he was forced into signing it, but the judge ruled in favor of the original agreement. This resulted in the actor being ordered to pay a significant amount of back payments.

Kevin Costner

In 2023, Christine Baumgartner and Kevin Costner went to court to resolve disagreements about their prenuptial agreement and how much child support should be paid. Baumgartner asked for almost $250,000 each month to maintain the lifestyle their children were used to, but Costner’s lawyers argued that his income had decreased after leaving the TV show ‘Yellowstone’. Ultimately, the court decided on a much lower monthly child support amount than Baumgartner originally requested.

Paul McCartney

During his divorce, musician Paul McCartney faced a significant legal dispute with his ex-wife, Heather Mills, who initially requested a $250 million settlement. Mills argued she deserved this amount based on McCartney’s wealth and her own contributions to the marriage. After a very public court case, a judge ultimately awarded her around $48.6 million, bringing one of Britain’s most costly and widely reported celebrity divorces to a close.

Halle Berry

For over ten years, the actress has been involved in legal battles with both Gabriel Aubry and Olivier Martinez over child support and custody. Her divorce settlement with Martinez required her to pay a significant amount each month, plus a portion of her yearly income, adding up to millions of dollars in total. Court documents frequently highlighted the expensive costs of private schooling and international trips for their children.

Britney Spears

In 2018, Kevin Federline took Britney Spears to court, asking for more than the $20,000 a month he was already getting for child support. He claimed the original agreement, made ten years prior, didn’t account for how successful Britney’s Las Vegas show had become. He wanted an extra $25,000 a month to cover the difference in their living costs and lifestyles. Ultimately, Britney agreed to increase her monthly payments to him and also pay his legal bills.

Mary J. Blige

The singer went through a tough legal battle with her ex-husband and former manager, Kendu Isaacs, who asked for $130,000 each month in spousal support. Isaacs argued he’d grown used to a luxurious lifestyle during their marriage and needed the money to keep it up. The singer publicly voiced her annoyance, pointing out she was the one burdened with their large debts. Ultimately, a judge ordered her to temporarily pay $30,000 a month in spousal support until their divorce was complete.

Please share your thoughts on these high-profile legal battles in the comments.

2026-02-22 20:15