5 Famous Couples Who Didn’t Have a Prenup
Can you believe it?! Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are getting a divorce.
Countless entertainment outlets were quick to report the not-so-shocking split. Some, like Variety, even published a sort of wistful piece on the celebrity couple being a modern-day Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. (Honestly, Variety isn’t wrong there.)
However, one of the most surprising details that has been reported about the end of Bennifer is that they reportedly didn’t have a prenuptial agreement. People notes that in the divorce filing by Lopez in Los Angeles County Superior Court, she doesn’t list if there was a prenup. TMZ reports a source confirmed that Ben and Jen didn’t have a prenup.
Additionally, the New York Post says, “Without a prenup, all their earnings, profits, and assets they made during their union are considered community property, and Lopez and Affleck, 52, have been busy since becoming newlyweds.” The outlet goes on to list the couple’s many earnings and acquired assets during their short marriage, from their $60 million home to their many acting projects.
Needless to say, Lopez and Affleck’s respective legal teams are going to be a lot to sort through, likely to the tune of many billable hours. If only they had learned from some other couples that came before them. Here are four other examples of famous couples who didn’t have a prenup.
Jennifer Lopez & Cris Judd
Seriously, Jen? You didn’t learn your lesson?! Lopez and dancer/choreographer Cris Judd were only married for eight months before they headed to divorce court, which was tricky without a prenup. The divorce settlement reportedly included Judd receiving $14 million dollars and him signing documents stating he wouldn’t publicly talk about their marriage.
Ashton Kutcher & Demi Moore
Kutcher and Moore were married significantly longer than Lopez and Judd. The actors married in September 2005, separated in November 2011 and filed for divorce in December 2012. The divorce wasn’t settled until October 2013. Due to not having a prenup, the divorce process was significantly more complicated, with TMZ noting at the time Moore attempted to receive spousal support from Kutcher due to his alleged infidelity.
Paul McCartney & Heather Mills
McCartney and Mills were married in 2002, separated in 2006 and settled their divorce in 2008. Despite Sir Paul’s massive wealth, the couple didn’t have a prenup. As expected, the financials got very messy. Per Rolling Stone, Mills originally sought $250 million from McCartney in the divorce settlement. She ended up receiving $48.7 million. McCartney was also on the hook for $70,000/year in alimony for their daughter, Beatrice Milly, plus school and nanny fees.
MacKenzie Scott & Jeff Bezos
Scott and Bezos married in 1993. In 1994, Bezos founded Amazon, and Scott was a key part of the company’s early days. Little did they know that Amazon would become a giant, so when the couple divorced in 2019, a lot of money was up for grabs. At the end of it all, Scott received $38.3 billion in Amazon stock and a 4% stake in the online retail giant. Since then, Scott has given away billions of her wealth to various philanthropic causes. A complete listing of gifts can be found at YieldGiving.com.
