Mel Gibson to divorce

Apr 14, 2009, 9:25 GMT

Mel Gibson is to divorce his wife of 28 years.

The 'Lethal Weapon' star's wife, Robyn Gibson, filed for divorce at the Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday (10.04.09) citing "irreconcilable differences" - just weeks after he was spotted frolicking with a Russian beauty called Oksana.

Photographs emerged last month of the 53-year-old actor kissing the young beauty - who is signed to his record label Icon - on a beach in Costa Rica.

The pair reportedly became close on the set of the movie 'Edge of Darkness' last August, when they were photographed leaving his trailer together.

Mel - who is a devout Catholic - has always denied the affair.

However, a statement released yesterday (13.04.09) confirmed his marital break-up, saying: "Throughout our marriage and separation we have always strived to maintain the privacy and integrity of our family and will continue to do so."

Mel and Robyn - who have seven children together, including nine-year-old Thomas - married in 1980 shortly after Mel's breakthrough movie 'Mad Max'.

Under US law, 52-year-old Robyn could be entitled to half of Mel's £640 million fortune which includes a £26 million Catholic church in California, a private island in Fiji, a ranch in Costa Rica and several properties in Malibu.

Robyn is seeking joint custody of their youngest son, as well as spousal support and legal fees.

Her lawyer Laura Wasser has previously represented Britney Spears, Angelina Jolie and Kiefer Sutherland.

Because the couple are not thought to have a prenuptial agreement, their divorce is expected to be one of the most expensive on record.

Other high-profile break-ups include singer Neil Diamond's divorce from Marcia Murphy in 1996, which cost him £75 million, while actor Harrison Ford's 2006 split from wife Melissa Mathison set him back £50 million.