It’s not uncommon for ex-wives in Denver or anywhere across the country to receive a hefty sum in a divorce settlement. It’s a bit less common for that settlement to be worth millions of dollars. And it’s pretty rare, if not unheard of, for a settlement to reach the $100 million range. A recent case in Hong Kong is likely unprecedented.
A woman walked out of a courtroom smiling after a judge ordered her ex-husband, who is a wealthy real estate mogul, to pay her $154 million. That’s an astounding sum and makes Paul McCartney and Heather Mills’ $50 million settlement look downright tiny.
According to CNN, the couple lived a lifestyle that was just below that of a billionaire in the United States. They married in 2000 and separated eight years later.
According to BBC News, the payout actually amounts to about 20 percent of their shared assets. The 38-year-old woman had sought upwards of $820 million. However, she told the media when she was leaving court that she was “delighted” by the ruling, CNN reports.
The judge apparently stated that he believed the woman was entitled to maintain the lifestyle she was used to.
The settlement apparently includes valuable real estate, money for three luxury cars and a yacht, and pricey club membership fees in both Hong Kong and London.
This kind of settlement is not likely to happen to anyone you know, but it’s interesting to see how big these settlements can really get. And when a lot of money is involved, it’s important that people feel comfortable with their representation.
Source: CNN, “Hong Kong wife wins $154 million divorce settlement,” Dec. 2, 2011