The glitz and glamour of famous athletes’ lives often come with a dark side — the spotlight into their personal matters, such as their prenups. With all of the money and fame that comes along with success in sports, many famous athletes turn to prenuptial agreements to protect their assets and navigate the complexities of their high-profile relationships. In this article, we explore real-life examples of famous athletes and the prenuptial agreements that have become integral parts of their love stories.
Michael Jordan and Yvette Prieto
MJ is considered one of the greatest athletes of all time, and some say he is the basketball GOAT (greatest of all time). Michael Jordan has not only left his mark on the court but also in the realm of prenuptial agreements. When he married Yvette Prieto (his second marriage) in 2013, it was reported that their prenup included provisions for the division of assets and a confidentiality clause.
Allegedly, the prenup says the Prieto will get a $1 million payout for every year married. If the marriage lasts 10+ years, then she will get a $5 million payout per year married. Keep in mind, MJ’s net worth hovers around $3 billion, so this is likely not going to bankrupt him by any means. The confidentiality clause is a way to make sure his personal and financial matters stay private and are not leaked by Prieto in any capacity.
Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian
Lamar may not be the basketball GOAT, but he sure has amassed a huge net worth in his basketball career– $115,967,658 to be exact. And Khloe herself is no stranger to fame and fortune, but back in 2009 when they tied the knot, this was a lot more than her net worth at the time. Their prenup allegedly allowed for a payout of $500,000 to Khloe for every year married and a $2 million bonus for staying married for at least four years. Khloe even said it herself, “Everybody needs a prenup!”
Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren
The highly publicized divorce between golf icon Tiger Woods and his former model wife, Elin Nordegren, brought the topic of prenuptial agreements to the forefront. Due to Woods’ infidelity, Nordegren was able to renegotiate their prenup and tack on a cool $80 million more than originally allowed for in the prenup. This likely points to an infidelity clause, but that is not confirmed. Nordegren walked away with a total of $100 million, thanks to Woods’ extramarital activities.
Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen
What does the football GOAT’s prenup say (and, yes, these two definitely opted for a prenup due to their very large net worths). In fact, Brady is said to have a net worth of $333 million and Bündchen has a net worth of $400 million. Allegedly, their prenup was fairly straightforward–they keep it all separate, each keeping their own businesses and assets. As for the properties they purchased together, like the $17 million mansion on “billionaire bunker” in Miami, Brady will keep that one. On the other hand, Bündchen will keep their vacation home in Costa Rica, where they usually vacation with the children.
Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson
The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and pop star had a very public relationship back in the early 2000s. While the two never actually tied the knot, it is believed that they did execute a prenup, and a controversial one at that! Brace yourselves… Romo allegedly requested a weight gain clause in his prenup with Simpson. Should she gain anything above 135 pounds, she would be required to pay him $500,000 per pound. Yes, you read that right. It’s no wonder they never went through with the marriage!
Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian
This is a cautionary tale about an NBA player and a Kardashian who had a 72 day marriage. Luckily, they allegedly had a prenup in place to protect them both. The pair tied the knot in 2011, when Kim’s net worth was around $35 million and Humphries’ net worth around $8-16 million. So, actually, in this case, the professional athlete was not the person who risked losing more. And, now, Kim’s net worth is around $1.7 billion, compared to Humphries total career earnings of around $66 million.
Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz
While Brooklyn Beckham isn’t a famous athlete himself, he comes from a very wealthy family, with his father being one of the most famous athletes of all time (soccer player, David Beckham). Between his father and his mother (a.k.a. Victoria Beckham, a.k.a. Posh Spice), they have a combined net worth of around $498 million. However, Brooklyn’s partner, Nicola Peltz, actually makes the Beckham’s wealth look miniscule compared to her family’s fortune of $1.7 billion. So, a prenup was clearly in order for this wealthy duo. It’s unclear exactly what is contained in this prenup, but we’re pretty sure there’s clauses in there to protect those hefty inheritances.
Final Thoughts
Famous athletes have tons of reasons to get a prenup, including protecting assets, protecting their privacy, and even making sure their partner is provided for when entering into such a public relationship. Plus, the spouses of athletes can benefit from prenups, too. Just look at Tiger Woods’ ex, who possibly had an infidelity clause that gained her an extra $80 million in the divorce settlement. At the end of the day, getting a prenup can be beneficial for both sides of the relationship, even in high-profile ones like professional athletes.
Nicole Sheehey is the Head of Legal Content at HelloPrenup, and an Illinois licensed attorney. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to prenuptial agreements. Nicole has Juris Doctor from John Marshall Law School. She has a deep understanding of the legal and financial implications of prenuptial agreements, and enjoys writing and collaborating with other attorneys on the nuances of the law. Nicole is passionate about helping couples locate the information they need when it comes to prenuptial agreements. You can reach Nicole here: [email protected]
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