Steven Spielberg makes costly divorce list

Apr 13, 2007, 11:30 GMT

03/31/2007 - Steven Spielberg - © Glenn Harris / Photorazzi

Steven Spielberg and Neil Diamond have topped a list of the 10 most expensive celebrity divorces, compiled by Forbes.com.

The legendary director paid Amy Irving $100 million - half of his fortune at the time - when they divorced after four years of marriage in 1989.

Spielberg, who is now worth $3 billion, was beaten to the top spot by basketball legend Michael Jordan.

The pending divorce between Jordan and his wife Juanita, who have been married for 18 years, is set to be the most expensive celebrity divorce ever. Jordan earned an estimated $350 million during their marriage, and Juanita stands to receive more than $150 million.

Neil Diamond, in second place, married TV production assistant Marcia Murphey in 1969, before he released his first gold record 'Touching You, Touching Me'.

By the late 70s, Diamond was one of the world's most successful solo artists - earning more than $14 million annually. Murphey filed for divorce in 1994, after 25 years of marriage and was given a $150 million settlement.

Harrison Ford is named in fourth place after his divorce from Melissa Mathison in 2004 cost him $85 million.

Ford, who married Mathison in 1983, became one of Hollywood's highest-paid actors during their union - making $20 million a film.

Mathison also received a percentage of Ford's future earnings from films he made while they were married.

Kevin Costner rounds up the top five, after ex-wife Cindy Silva was awarded $80 million. The couple married in 1978, before divorcing 16 years later.

Sir Paul McCartney's pending divorce to Heather Mills is likely to cost him more than $60 million - earning him the sixth spot in the poll. The Beatles' legend is worth an estimated $700 million.

Michael Douglas, director James Cameron and Lionel Ritchie also made the top 10, while Jerry Hall's divorce from Rolling Stones singer Sir Mick Jagger netted her $15 to $20 million. The former model filed for divorce in 1999, after learning Jagger had fathered another woman's child.

Jagger - worth an estimated $325 million at the time - successfully contested the legality of their Bali wedding and Hall received a fraction of Jagger's estate.

10 Most Expensive Celebrity Divorces by Forbes.com:

1 Michael and Juanita Jordan - divorce pending, possibly more than $150 million

2 Neil Diamond and Marica Murphey - estimated settlement $150 million

3 Steven Spielberg and Amy Irving - estimated settlement $100 million

4 Harrison Ford and Melissa Mathison - estimated settlement $85 million

5 Kevin Costner and Cindy Silva - estimated settlement $80 million

6 Paul McCartney and Heather Mills - divorce pending, possibly more than $60 million

7 James Cameron and Linda Hamilton - estimated settlement $50 million

8 Michael and Diandra Douglas - estimated settlement $45 million

9 Lionel and Diane Richie - estimated settlement $20 million

10 Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall - estimated settlement $15 to $25 million

(C) BANG Media International