If you’re worried about asking for too much in your prenuptial agreement, take inspiration from celebrities. Celebrity divorces often decorate the headlines, but what can get missed is the prenuptial agreement. Stars often have a lot of assets and money to lose if their marriage ends, which is why their prenup agreements can be legendary.
Divorce rates are notably higher among celebrities, averaging around 50%. A premarital agreement can give them peace of mind if anything goes amiss during the marriage. And as you will see from these celebrities, not all have gotten a divorce; some are still happily married with a solid prenup guided by a lawyer.
Read on to learn more about the most legendary celebrity prenups and why you might want to consider your own prenuptial agreement.
What Is a Prenuptial Agreement?
A prenuptial agreement is also known as a prenup or premarital agreement. It is a legal document that sets out what will happen to a couple’s assets if they divorce. It can also include other agreements to stick to throughout the marriage, including family boundaries and romantic needs.
An attorney or lawyer will help with this prenuptial agreement. A prenup is a sensible choice for all couples. It protects both spouses, any inheritance money, your business, and any children from previous marriages.
Read on to learn some of the legendary agreements celebrities have.
1. Beyoncé and Jay-Z
Beyoncé and Jay-Z have been married for over 14 years and have three children together. They are estimated to be worth over $1.1 billion together, and they regularly revisit their prenup agreement. Their agreement covers custody, asset splitting, and trust fund details for their children.
Prenup Details
Beyoncé reportedly signed a prenup that agreed to give her $5 million for every child she had with Jay-Z. It also had terms such as receiving $10 million if the marriage ended before two years and $1 million every year if they stayed married for up to 15 years.
They also reportedly updated their prenuptial agreement to agree to 50:50 custody terms, trust funds for their children, and who will get what assets if they separate.
Although courts will not definitely enforce clauses related to custody and child support, having such language in the agreement could be considered evidentiary and of weight for a reviewing judge. That being said, at JUSTLAW, we generally recommend against trying to contract around custody and support obligations for children.
2. Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman
Actress Nicole Kidman and singer-songwriter Keith Urban are worth over $200 million. They have been married for over 15 years and have had a prenuptial agreement. Their prenup agreement has specific terms relating to the couple’s history and earnings.
Prenup Details
Nicole Kidman reportedly agreed to give Keith around $600,000 for every year of marriage, but there is one provision. Keith Urban is in recovery from cocaine addiction, and the premarital agreement included the term that he would forfeit the money if he relapsed back into treatment. The terms also protect Nicole Kidman’s large fortune if Keith Urban was at fault for the divorce.
3. Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel
Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel have been married since 2012. The stars both have substantial fortunes in their own right. But their prenup was one of the first celebrity agreements that included lifestyle agreements.
Prenup Details
One of their prenuptial agreement’s main details is the cheating clause. Rumors have circulated online about Justin’s infidelity over the years. The prenup includes the understanding that Justin will pay Jessica $500,000 if he is ever unfaithful.
Many couples opt for an infidelity clause, but it can be difficult to enforce because people have different definitions of what it means to be unfaithful. Any infidelity clause has to be clear and understood by both parties; otherwise, the matter may have to be settled in court. This can defeat the purpose of a prenup.
4. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie split up in 2016 after two years of marriage. They had a 12-year history and six children together. Their prenup was followed as far as what details were released publicly about the divorce.
Prenup Details
One of the main details of the prenuptial agreement was that Angelia Jolie would get full custody of their six children if Brad Pitt got too close to another woman during the marriage. And Angelina Jolie did file for this during the divorce.
Other prenuptial terms included that the couple’s assets together would go to a trust fund for their children. This trust fund would be split equally in six ways for each child.
5. Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones
Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones have been married for over two decades and share two children, along with Michael’s child from his first marriage. Their marriage secret? Well, it does include a serious prenup, with some lengthy terms.
Prenup Details
It is reported that Catherine Zeta-Jones receives $2.8 million for every year she is married. Whether that stays true after two decades is unconfirmed. Plus, she would receive an extra $5 million if Douglas is ever caught cheating.
Many couples opt for an infidelity clause, but it can be difficult to enforce because people have different definitions of what it means to be unfaithful. Any infidelity clause has to be clear and understood by both parties; otherwise, the matter may have to be settled in court. This can defeat the purpose of a prenup.
6. Mark Zuckerburg and Priscilla Chan
Facebook CEO and founder Mark Zuckerburg is a busy man, which is why before marrying in 2012, Priscilla Chan and Mark made an interesting relationship agreement. Their prenup is an example of how finances are not the only thing people want to protect when entering a marriage.
Prenup Details
They say time is priceless, and one of the notable details that have come out from their marriage agreement is precisely about this. Zuckerburg agreed to spend a precise 100 minutes alone with Priscilla every week, outside the office or apartment. They also have agreed to have one date a week.
7. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West
There was speculation about their detailed prenuptial agreement before their divorce, but their divorce papers have revealed more unseen prenup details. There have also been reports that Kanye’s lawyer does not want the prenuptial agreement to remain valid, which has led to some delays in their divorce proceedings.
So far, this has not been approved. Kim is reportedly arguing that their prenup helped them agree on everything before marriage and is asking Kanye to stop dragging out the divorce process.
Prenup Details
Any property Kim or Kanye purchased on their own would remain a separate asset. They also agreed to cover their own mortgages. Their prenup agreed to determine support for any child of the parties under California State law.
8. Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux
The couple’s prenup was described as “ironclad” at the time of creation to protect Jennifer Aniston’s fortune, which is estimated to be over $200 million. It meant that when they separated, Jennifer could have peace of mind that there was little Justin could contest.
Prenup Details
Their prenuptial agreement took time to create, with it including precise details to protect Jennifer’s fortune. It included terms to ensure that all of Jennifer’s assets were protected in the event of a split. This meant that the divorce proceeded pain-free, with both parties on the same page.
9. Britney Spears and Kevin Federline
Britney Spears and Kevin Federline had a whirlwind romance, getting engaged just three months after beginning to date. However, Britney did not officially marry Kevin Federline until he signed their prenuptial agreement. Reports state that their first wedding was fake, as, at this point, he had not signed the deal.
Prenup Details
Their premarital agreement protected all of Britney’s assets, including everything she earned during their engagement period, so she could decide what to share at the time of divorce. When the couple divorced, Britney left her ex a reported $1.3 million. She also provided child support of $20,000 a month.
10. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ relationship often made headlines online and in the press throughout their marriage, especially with Tom Cruise’s commitment to Scientology. Nothing changed at the time of their divorce, mainly due to the release of their prenup, which included some interesting financial details. Whether their prenup was followed during the divorce proceedings remains unclear.
Prenup Details
Their prenup promised $3 million to Katie Holmes per year she was married to Tom Cruise. It also promised child support for their daughter Suri and their mansion in Beverly Hills. Custody was determined at the time of the divorce proceedings.
Although courts will not definitely enforce clauses related to custody and child support, having such language in the agreement could be considered evidentiary and of weight for a reviewing judge. That being said, at JUSTLAW we generally recommend against trying to contract around custody and support obligations for children.
11. Khloé Kardashian and Lamar Odom
Reality star Khloé Kardashian and former NBA player Lamar Odom got married in 2009. However, their divorce was finalized in 2016. Khloé spoke openly about their prenup, stating that she believed every couple should have one.
Prenup Details
Their prenup included $500,000 to go to Khloé for every year of marriage. It also stated that she would get $2 million after four years of marriage. It also guaranteed her two cars as assets.
12. Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani married country singer and TV personality Blake Shelton in 2021. She learned from her first marriage to rock singer Gavin Rossdale, which didn’t have a prenup. This time, the couple spent several months making their prenuptial agreement before they wed.
Prenup Details
Both singers have experienced challenging divorces without prenups, which is why their prenup is meant to be “ironclad.” They are both worth over $100 million. So in the event of divorce, their fortunes will be protected.
13. Robert and Sheila Johnson
Robert Johnson and Shelia Johnson had a famous prenup agreement, which ended up being needed when the couple divorced. Robert is co-founder of BET and America’s first African-American billionaire. After 30 years of marriage, the couple split in the early 2000s.
Prenup Details
The prenup made it through court and rewarded Shelia with half of the couple’s joint assets. She was paid around $400 million. Although they had a prenup, this was still recorded as one of the most significant divorce settlements in history, which demonstrates how much bigger it could have been without a prenuptial agreement.
14. Steven Spielberg and Amy Irving
Director Steven Spielberg and actress Amy Irving married in the ’80s. She was a rising star at the time, so they agreed to create a prenup. However, as this prenup wasn’t made official with a lawyer, instead reportedly being on a cocktail napkin, it was dismissed in court when they divorced four years later.
Prenup Details
So, the original prenup details remain a mystery on the back of a cocktail napkin. However, Amy Irving was rewarded $100 million, half of Steven Spielberg’s net worth back then.
The lesson? Make sure your prenuptial agreement is official!
15. Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren
After seven years of marriage, the couple divorced in 2010, after details of Woods’ affairs became public. The couple initially agreed to try to make things work, which included reworking the original prenup. However, in the end, Elin filed for divorce and benefited from the new prenup conditions.
Prenup Details
It was reported that Tiger Woods offered Elin a $5 million apology. He also added $55 million to the original prenup agreement.
In the end, Elin walked away with an estimated $110 million. Originally the prenuptial agreement stated she would receive $20 million if they stayed married for ten years.
16. Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo
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The couple never married, but reportedly Tony Romo wanted to include some shocking terms in their prenuptial agreement. A prenup can be a great way to check you are both on the same page and respect each other. In this case, Jessica thankfully said no to Tony’s conditions.
Prenup Details
During prenup discussions, Tony had some interesting demands. He wanted Jessica to pay Tony from her property $500,000 for every pound gained, over 135 pounds. This is why it is essential to get guidance from an attorney when creating a prenup!
17. Ice-T and Coco Austin
When we say some celebrity prenups are unique, we are not joking. Say hello to Ice-T’s prenuptial agreement. Reportedly American rapper Ice-T has some interesting conditions if the couple ever divorces.
Prenup Details
The couple married in 2002, and a lot of details of their prenup remain a secret. However, one provision that has been revealed is regarding Coco’s cosmetic implants. Apparently, if the couple ever divorces, Ice-T will take back her breast and buttock implants.
Create Your Own Prenuptial Agreement
Now you know some of the most legendary celebrity prenups. Although some of the conditions are unique, these prenups demonstrate how important prenuptial agreements can be. The prenuptial agreement does not only help the divorce process, but it can also help give peace of mind in your marriage and keep it secure.
It is not only celebrities that create a premarital agreement. Many couples create a prenup before marriage. However, it is important to find a reputable attorney to help.
JUSTLAW is here to help you. You can call us at 1-888-587-8187 or start the process online.
