In November 2007, sporting legend Michael Jordan added to his long list of record-breaking achievements when he was dunked for an unprecedented $168 million divorce settlement, the costliest celebrity divorce ever. The retired Chicago Bulls star agreed to pay Juanita Jordan the gargantuan sum after a year of protracted negotiations. Juanita’s severance package also included the Jordans' seven-acre estate in Highmoor, Chicago and custody of their three children.

The Jordans' settlement surpassed the world's previous most expensive celebrity divorce in which singer/songwriter Neil Diamond paid his ex-wife Marcia Murphey £75 million. Diamond received plaudits after publicly declaring that Murphey, who he had met before he became famous, was worth every penny she received.

A dent in Roman's empire

But even the most expensive celebrity divorces are put in the shade by the whopping £155 million settlement paid by Roman Abramovich to his wife after the couple separated in November 2006.

Irina Abramovich’s severance package included homes in Britain and Moscow, a yacht and a private plane. According to the Sunday Times Rich List, the divorce has made the former Aeroflot stewardess the 41st richest woman in Britain.