Divorce Puts $11.2 Billion Oil Fortune On The Line
In 1999, Anna Murdoch received a $1.7 billion settlement from her then husband Rupert Murdoch. It was the most expensive divorce in the United States. But, thanks to the marital troubles between Continental Resources chief executive Harold Hamm and his soon to be ex-wife Sue Ann Hamm, that record is about to fall. The Hamm’s divorce will put a $11.2 billion oil fortunate on the line.
The divorce won’t net Sue Ann Hamm $11.2 million but she could walk away with about half that, or about $5.6 billion, which would still make it the most expensive divorce settlement.
According to the Today, Harold Hamm, one of the richest and most influential business men in America, is being accused of cheating by his soon to be ex-wife. It’s unclear if the two have a prenuptial agreement. If they do not have one, Sue Ann Hamm could be entitled to half of the “marital property,” which in this case is Harold’s 68% controlling stake of Continental worth $11.2 billion.
Barbara Atwood, professor emeritus of family law at the University of Arizona, told the NY Post: “I don’t know of anything that’s ever been this big. There’s just so much money involved.”
Harold and Sue Ann were married in 1988 and have two adult children together. Harold, 67, was named as one of the most influential people in the world by Time Magazine and Forbes named him one of the 50 richest Americans last year. Sue Ann is a former executive at Continental but is no longer with the company.
If Harold and Sue Ann do get divorced and the $11.2 million fortune is split in half, their divorce settlement will be more expensive than the top 6 expensive divorces combined.
Here are the some of the most expensive divorces in American history.
- Mel Gibson and Robyn Gibson – $425 million
- Craig and Wendy McCaw – $460 million
- Stephen and Elaine Wynn – $740 million
- Adnan and Soraya Khashoggi – $874 million
- Bernie and Slavica Eccelstone – $1 billion
- Rupert and Anna Murdoch – $1.7 billion
