Additional Coverage:
- 7 famous couples who signed prenups — and 4 who didn’t (businessinsider.com)
The Unspoken Agreement: How Celebrity Couples Navigate Love, Money, and the Future
As whispers of a potential engagement between pop superstar Taylor Swift and NFL tight end Travis Kelce fill the air, many are left wondering about more than just wedding bells. For ultra-wealthy celebrity couples, securing their futures often involves navigating the intricate world of prenuptial agreements.
While often viewed as a grim contingency plan, prenups — and even more flexible “relationship agreements” — are increasingly becoming a standard practice for high-profile pairs looking to align expectations and protect assets. It’s not always about the money, either; these agreements can cover everything from romantic needs to family boundaries and even infidelity clauses.
“Two egos in a marriage can be great if all the important issues are agreed upon up front,” notes life coach Laurie Gerber. She emphasizes that openly discussing and documenting these critical aspects can give a marriage a stronger foundation, even suggesting couples approach their unions like a well-run company, with regular “meetings” to ensure continued alignment.
Here’s how some famous faces have approached the delicate balance of love and legalities:
Learning from Experience: For some, a previous marriage without a prenup served as a powerful lesson. Actress Gabrielle Union, for instance, famously insisted on a prenup before marrying NBA star Dwyane Wade in 2014, stating, “I’ve got to protect my stuff.
It’s the wave of the future.” Similarly, Gwen Stefani, who reportedly faced an unequal financial split in her divorce from Gavin Rossdale due to the lack of a prenup, opted for an agreement with Blake Shelton before their 2021 wedding.
The “No Prenup” Stance: Not all celebrities choose this path. Comedian Seth Rogen, when asked about a prenup before marrying Lauren Miller in 2011, humorously defended his decision to forgo one.
“Marriage can be expensive, and if I lose millions, then it’ll be the best millions I’ve spent,” he quipped. However, not having an agreement can come with significant consequences, as seen in the high-profile divorce of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and MacKenzie Scott.
Married for 25 years without a prenup, Scott was entitled to half of Bezos’s then-$137 billion fortune, resulting in a staggering $38 billion settlement. Justin and Hailey Bieber also reportedly skipped a prenup, meaning their significant fortunes would be considered community property in the event of a divorce.
Protecting Assets and Expectations: When pop icon Britney Spears married Sam Asghari in 2022, she reportedly had him sign an “ironclad prenup.” This agreement proved instrumental when the couple divorced 14 months later, ensuring assets were divided as stipulated and no spousal support was awarded to Asghari.
Beyond the Bank Account: Prenups aren’t solely about finances. Before their 2012 marriage, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan reportedly had a “relationship agreement” that included specific terms like weekly dates and dedicated alone time. Actress Nicole Kidman and singer Keith Urban’s 2006 prenup reportedly included a clause addressing Urban’s sobriety, requiring him to seek treatment if he resumed drinking or drug use.
Guiding High-Profile Divorces: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s 2014 prenup was key in their 2022 divorce settlement, ensuring assets remained mostly separate and outlining arrangements for child support and shared expenses. On the other hand, the recent divorce filing between Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, who married in 2022 without a prenup, meant any income or assets acquired during their brief marriage would be considered community property. The couple ultimately settled, with each retaining their pre-marital assets and those earned during the marriage.
From safeguarding fortunes to establishing clear expectations for a relationship, prenuptial and relationship agreements continue to be a crucial, albeit often private, aspect of celebrity unions, highlighting the importance of clear communication and planning in any partnership.
Read More About This Story:
- 7 famous couples who signed prenups — and 4 who didn’t (businessinsider.com)