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Mel Gibson’s divorce settlement finalized

Early next year, the marriage of actor Mel Gibson and his wife of 31 years will officially be over, following a two-year divorce process that culminated in the approval of a settlement agreement last week. Although there are few details available about the high-asset divorce agreement, entertainment reporters are speculating that Gibson’s wife may receive half of his earnings.

Gibson married Robyn Moore in 1980, and the couple went on to have seven children together. Moore filed for divorce from Gibson in 2009. Of the couple’s children, they only have one minor child, a 12-year-old boy, who is subject to a child custody agreement.

Therefore, it was clear early on that the couple’s joint and separate finances would be the greatest point of contention in their settlement talks. Reports indicate that Gibson and Moore did not have a prenuptial agreement, which means that Moore is entitled to half of all income Gibson earned during their three-decade marriage.

Currently, Gibson’s fortune is estimated to be around $850 million. If this is accurate, Moore may receive $425 million, placing the settlement at the top of the list of celebrity divorce payouts. In addition, it is believed that Moore will continue to receive half of any residuals that Gibson earns in the future for films he made while the couple was married.

Gibson has also invested in major real estate, including an island in Fiji which he purchased in 2005 for $15 million. It is unknown how the settlement agreement dealt with that holding.

It has been an expensive year for Gibson, who in August agreed to pay $750,000 to ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva, the mother of his young daughter.

Source: ABC News, “Mel Gibson Loses Half of His $850 Million Fortune to Ex-Wife in Divorce,” Katie Kindelan, Dec. 26, 2011