Michael Jordan’s divorce from Juanita Vanoy cost him an eye-watering $168 million when they concluded their 17-year marriage back in 2006. While this was the biggest settlement in the celebrity-athlete universe, it pales in comparison to the amount Bill Gates parted with when he divorced Melinda Gates in 2021.
Bill and Melinda Gates, the power couple of the tech world and philanthropy, finalized their divorce, marking the end of their 27-year marriage, raised eyebrows for reasons beyond the end of a personal relationship.
It is rumored that Bill Gates might have paid an astonishing sum, surpassing Jordan and Vanoy’s $168 million settlement by a staggering margin. The news of Bill and Melinda’s separation came via Twitter, as both posted individual statements.
— Melinda French Gates (@melindagates) May 3, 2021
This monumental event not only signified the end of their personal journey together but also raised questions about the future of their shared philanthropic endeavors, primarily carried out through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The foundation’s efforts in global health, education, and poverty alleviation have left an indelible mark worldwide. However, they had announced that their philanthropy foundation will stay operational despite their separation.
Bill Gates allegedly paid a whopping $76 billion to Melinda Gates
Bill Gates, as the co-founder of Microsoft, has witnessed his net worth soar over the years. This surge in wealth has, in turn, generated significant interest and speculation regarding the divorce settlement. While Jordan and Vanoy’s $168 million divorce settlement was groundbreaking at the time, it seems that the tech industry’s titans have now taken center stage in the realm of high-profile divorces.
Michael Jordan and wife Juanita Vanoy ended their 17-year marriage in 2006. In the settlement, she won $168 million, the seven-acre estate in Chicago, and custody of their three children. One of the largest settlements in sports history. She was notably missing from #TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/tJljXaNe2p
— Twisted History (@twistedhistory) May 28, 2020
Interestingly, Marcus Jordan spoke about how MJ and Vanoy’s settlement amount is untrue. He emphasized that inflated figures are being thrown around. Similarly, with the Gates’ divorce, no confirmation has been received.
Thereby leaving a big cloud of doubt over who in reality has the most expensive divorce in history. However, the significant difference between the net worth of Bill Gates and Michael Jordan speaks for itself. Reports suggest that Melinda Gates might receive approximately $76 billion as part of the divorce settlement.
Melinda’s substantial settlement would place her alongside Juanita Vanoy in the league of highly publicized and financially significant divorces. However, the exact amount Bill Gates paid to Melinda is a closely guarded secret, adding intrigue to the entire affair.
While Michael Jordan’s $168 million divorce settlement with Juanita Vanoy was a headline-grabbing event in its time, the rumors surrounding Bill and Melinda Gates’ divorce have elevated the discussion to unprecedented heights.