40 of the Most Expensive Celebrity Child Support Payments

This article appeared in Donnyfive and has been published here with permission.

Twitter // @50cent

Interesting facts about celebrities go way beyond the stories of their net worth and how they became famous. Sometimes, it’s also about the payments they make to their exes for child support. Sometimes, they make these payments for over a decade. So, to know more about these celebrities’ shenanigans, keep reading.

Halle Berry

The talented actress ensures her son Maceo is well taken care of by sending $8,000 every month to her ex-husband, Olivier Martinez. But hold on, there’s a twist to this tale! If Halle’s earnings go beyond $2 million, Olivier gets an extra 4.3% cut.

Instagram // @halleberry

The generous check covers everything from Maceo’s school uniforms, exciting extracurricular activities, and private school tuition. We all want to take care of our kids, but this is quite an exorbitant cost for one little human.

Brendan Fraser

The Mummy actor Brendan Fraser has been locked in an ongoing battle with his ex-wife, Afton Smith. The plot thickens as Brendan, who shares three children with Afton, namely Leland, Holden, and Griffin, spends a jaw-dropping $75,000 a month for child support.

Instagram // @elderordonez1

Brendan took a trip to the courtroom, hoping to lower such a monthly sum, but it seems the legal feud didn’t quite turn out in his favor.

Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson, the singing sensation, finds herself in a rare spot as she’s the one writing the child support checks after parting ways with Brandon Blackstock. To the tune of $45,601 per month, she’s ensuring her two adorable kids, River Rose and Remington Alexander, are well taken care of.

Instagram // @kellyclarkson

In an interview, she made it crystal clear that her children are her top priority. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any sweeter, an Instagram post featuring her kids, arms wrapped around each other, melted hearts everywhere. Plus, she’s been cutting some serious spousal support checks, providing a whopping $1,326,161 until January 2024.

Charlie Sheen

Charlie Sheen has two ex-wives in his intriguing life post-divorce. It’s a drama that’s been playing out for nearly a decade now. Every month, he was spending $55,000 on Mueller and Richards for child support.

Instagram // @charliesheen

Also, if his annual income from all sources crosses the $2.1 million mark in any given year, he’s obliged to share 9.5% of that sum with both of his former loves. However, as of 2021, Sheen no longer needs to make those child support payments.

Russell Simmons

Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee got divorced and, per the court order, he had to pay a lump sum of $50 million. Hip-hop star Simmons is dropping a jaw-dropping $40,000 every single month in child support.

Instagram // @unclerush

His ex-wife has reportedly scored sole custody of their duo, Ming and Aoki. The arrangement is locked in until the girls hit the ripe age of 19 and a half. However, these settlements only make up less than 10% of Simmons’ wealth.

Mick Jagger

Mick Jagger, the legend synonymous with The Rolling Stones, is dishing out a cool $10,000 monthly for child support to his ex, Luciana Morad. It’s no chump change but it covers all rent, nannies, and housekeepers.

Instagram // @mickjagger

He’s got the rock ‘n’ roll voice and the deep pockets to match! Mick Jagger, the man of music and money, keeps us all guessing.

François-Henri Pinault

The mastermind behind luxury giants like Gucci and St. Laurent, François-Henri Pinault, pays a jaw-dropping $46,000 monthly child support for his son, Augie, whom he had with supermodel Linda Evangelista.

Instagram // @francoishenripinaultfan

Back in 2012, they fought a bitter divorce battle, but the grand finale was a confidential settlement that’s still clouded in mystery. One thing we do know is that his son is certainly taken care of!

Tom Cruise

Believe it or not, even our Mission Impossible hero, Tom Cruise, has his own divorce drama. He’s writing checks up to $33,000 each month for his ex, Katie Holmes, and their daughter, Suri. And the payments sail on until their daughter hits 18.

Instagram // @justjared

Then, it’s all about paying the bills for any medical and college adventures that may come up. Tom’s mission, should he choose to accept it, is to keep the support flowing, and keep the drama at arm’s length.

Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs

Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs isn’t holding back when it comes to his sons, Christian and Justin. He’s spending $55,000 a month, with Justin snagging a hefty $35,000 chunk. Even after trying to dial down the payments, a court threw an extra $21,000 per month into the mix for Christian’s mom.

Instagram // @diddy

But Christian’s mom, Kim Porter, seems to be rocking the low-maintenance vibe, content with a cool $20k a month. It’s a child support drama with a hip-hop beat!

Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder, the musical maestro, takes the parenting to a new level. This legend isn’t just a hitmaker; he’s also a father to a whopping nine children!

Instagram // @stevie_wonder__daily

Among this symphony of offspring, Stevie sends $25,000 a month in child support to his ex, Kai Millard Morris. His sons, Kailand and Mandla, must be feeling like they’ve hit the jackpot! With Stevie Wonder as their dad, they’ve got the music and the money to boot! Talk about a legend in both music and parenting!

Terrell Owens

Former NFL sensation, Terrell Owens, has scored touchdowns both on and off the field. With four children, each from a different mother, he’s shelling out a whopping $44,600 every month to keep the family’s game strong.

Instagram // @terrellowens

But, despite his glory years in football, he once claimed that a mix of bad investments and those child support checks had him broke all along.

Eddie Murphy

Eddie Murphy is a dad to a whopping 10 kids from different women. And guess what? He’s saying goodbye to $35,000 every single month in child support to the daughter he had with Mel B!

Instagram // @enews

However, what’s more shocking than the amount of money he’s paying is that initially, Eddie refused to believe that it was his daughter. He believed it only after the DNA tests came back positive. It must have been quite a shock for him!

Nas

Let’s spin the records back to 2010 when rapper Nas and singer Kelis called it quits. The court’s verdict? Nas had to shell out a hefty $40,000 each month for child support.

Instagram // @nas

But that sum was cranked up to a whopping $51,000! All to make sure baby Knight’s bills are covered. What on earth could possibly be going on in that home that a teenager needs that much money? No judgment, but wow!

Alex Rodriguez

Now, let’s step into the world of baseball legend Alex Rodriguez, also known as A-Rod. When he and his ex-wife, Cynthia Scrutis, called it quits in 2008, the child support game reached a new league. A jaw-dropping $115,000 per month for an entire decade was the deal.

Instagram // @arod

Also, in October 2018, A-Rod decided to step up and took Scrutis to court, hoping to reduce the monthly payout. He argued that his post-retirement earnings didn’t quite hit the home run they once did.

Kanye West

Kanye West, the man of controversy and creativity, is in the spotlight again. After his divorce from Kim Kardashian, the courts dropped an order of a thunderous $200,000 a month in child support for Kimye’s four little superstars.

Instagram // @kanyewgst

He’s also got to cover a solid 50% of those kids’ medical, education, and security bills. If you want to live the high life, you have to have the money to pay for it, right?!

Ben Affleck

Most of us know and love actor Ben Affleck for his movies like Pearl HarborThe Accountant, and Gone Girl. But, when he and Jennifer Garner divorced in 2018, he was ordered to pay his ex an eye-watering $45,000 per month for the benefit of their three children.

Instagram // @_ben_affleck._

While many people can’t imagine earning that amount of money per year, we can understand that these famous kids have needs and requirements that are a little different from most other children.

Kevin Costner

Yellowstone‘s Kevin Costner is in the hot seat, dishing out temporary monthly child support payments to his soon-to-be-ex, Christine Baumgartner. The amount is a jaw-dropping $129,755 per month, all for their three little ones. But wait, there’s a twist in this wild story!

Twitter // @kevincostner_11

A judge recently changed that monthly number to just $63,209. This legal showdown is like a cliffhanger episode of your favorite drama series, with Kevin Costner playing a role he’d probably rather avoid.

Nick Cannon

Nick Cannon, the father of a dozen kids – yes, you read that right, 12 kids – has a unique approach to child support. Instead of formal payments, he’s got private agreements going on with the mothers of his children. So, while it might not be the typical child support system, Nick still spends a staggering $3 million annually to support his gang.

Instagram // @nickcannon

In one interview, he revealed that he’s actually spending way more than many people think. He stated, “I definitely spend a lot on my children annually. I don’t plan to ever have to participate in the system of child support.”

Blake Griffin

NBA star Blake Griffin was reportedly slapped with an eye-popping monthly child support bill of $258,000 for his two children with ex-fiancee, Brynn Cameron. Although, as it turned out, those stories had a little too much spin to them.

Instagram // @blakegriffin23

In a twist that’s as tricky as a dribble, the reports were soon corrected to $32,000 per month. The actual figures and details behind this high-profile case remain a bit of a mystery, reminding us that even in the world of the rich and famous, not everything is as it seems.

Britney Spears

Pop star Britney Spears is known for her chart-topping hits and a divorce that had the world buzzing. When she and Kevin Federline split in 2007, Britney found herself writing a monthly check for $40,000 in child support for their boys, Sean and Jayden. But the drama didn’t stop there!

Instagram // @britneyspears

In August 2018, the legal curtain rose once more as the courts ordered Britney to pay Kevin an extra $110,000 for those “costs and fees” in their ongoing child support tango. Why? Because Kevin’s legal team argued that with the kids getting older, their financial circumstances had shifted.

Mel Gibson

Hollywood heavyweight, Mel Gibson, has quite the family tree. Besides his brood with wife Robyn, he’s got a daughter named Lucia from his ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva. To keep Lucia’s world spinning, Mel’s writing a pretty substantial monthly check of $20,000 in child support.

Instagram // @melgibson_fanpage

But here’s where it gets intriguing. Grigorieva, who’s also receiving $2,500 a month in child support from another ex, Timothy Dalton, found herself in a surprising twist. Despite the financial support from Mel and Timothy, she filed for bankruptcy in 2014, claiming she had just $10 to her name.

Paul McCartney

In the high-profile divorce between Paul McCartney and Heather Mills in 2008, Heather Mills received a substantial settlement of nearly $50 million. However, a relatively modest portion of that amount – approximately $70,000 per year – was allocated for child support.

Instagram // @paulmccartney

This child support also encompassed the expenses of a nanny and their daughter Beatrice’s private school education. No one ever said having kids is cheap, and that’s even more true in the life of celebs!

Bow Wow

Back in 2012, rapper Bow Wow found himself in a child support saga. The court ordered him to pay $3,000 per month for the care of his child, Shai. But there was a twist in this tale—unpaid child support from the past demanded an additional $11,500 payment.

Instagram // @shadmoss

It’s a stark reminder of the importance of addressing financial responsibilities, even retroactively, in child support cases. The last thing you want to do is be on the hook for massive arrears.

Dennis Rodman

Basketball legend Dennis Rodman got divorced a whopping three times and has three children. Overall, the former athlete has to pay $50,000 a month in child support and alimony.

Instagram // @dennisrodman

It’s a classic case of the intersection between sports stardom and financial responsibilities within a family, with the court having the final say.

Ludacris

In 2001, rapper and actor Ludacris welcomed his daughter Karma with his former girlfriend, Christine White. The court ordered Ludacris to pay child support—a substantial $15,000 per month. The decision considered Ludacris’s income and his obligation to provide for his daughter’s well-being. But there’s more to this financial tale.

Instagram // @ludacris

Sadly, Ludacris fell on hard times and had to ask the courts to lower his monthly child support payments. The judge agreed to re-evaluate Ludacris’s finances.

James Cameron

In the realm of Hollywood, director James Cameron’s divorce from Linda Hamilton made headlines. The court mandated him to pay a titanic $50 million, which was the highest amount ever awarded at the time.

Gage Skidmore // Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 2.0

The substantial sum was allocated toward supporting their daughter from the time of their divorce through her college years. Even with the cost of inflation factored in, that’s one hefty sum of money!

Mohamed Hadid

After their well-documented and tumultuous divorce, real estate mogul Mohamed Hadid found himself in a significant financial commitment. He was obligated to pay Yolanda $10,000 per month for each of their three children.

Pinterest // @instagram.com

But there’s more to it—on top of these monthly payments, he was responsible for covering expenses like private school tuition, family vacations, and extracurricular activities. It was a strategic move to ensure their children continued to enjoy a high-quality lifestyle, even after the divorce.

Jesse Williams

Actor Jesse Williams, known for his role in Grey’s Anatomy, was initially paying $40,000 per month in child support for his two children, Sadie and Maceo. However, the court recently made a significant adjustment, temporarily lowering it to $6,413 per month. It’s a notable change in the amount he’ll be contributing to the well-being of his kids. It just goes to show that child support agreements can evolve over time.

Instagram // @ijessewilliams

In the world of the rich and famous, child support cases bring their own set of challenges, figures, and, sometimes, surprising turns. These stories offer a glimpse into the complex and ever-changing nature of financial responsibilities in the realm of celebrity families.

Armie Hammer

In a rather unexpected turn of events, actor Armie Hammer, known for his role in The Social Network, is paying just $1,500 per month in child support for his two children after his divorce from Elizabeth Chambers. This amount may appear modest, especially for someone in the spotlight, but for us mere mortals, it’s still a sizable chunk of cash.

Instagram // @justjared

The divorce judgment highlights that Hammer claims he lacks the income to contribute more substantially. Despite being a departure from the usual high-profile settlements, it appears that Hammer and Chambers reached an agreement on this figure.

Dennis Quaid

In 2019, actor Dennis Quaid, known for his role in Merry Happy Whatever, had a successful year with earnings exceeding $6 million. While this is a significant income, it influenced his child custody payments to his ex-wife, Kimberly Buffington.

Facebook // Dennis Quaid

Quaid proactively submitted court documents to address his current monthly payments of $13,750 to Buffington, who cares for their twins, Zoe and Thomas. Quaid sought an adjustment to these payments due to his increased income. This adjustment could have noteworthy implications for their financial arrangement, introducing a Hollywood-style financial review.

Jodie Sweetin

In a recent legal development, actress Jodie Sweetin, renowned for her role in Full House, is now obligated to pay her ex-husband, Morty Coyle, $2,800 per month in child support. This obligation extends beyond the short term, as Sweetin is required to make these payments until their daughter, Beatrix, graduates high school or becomes emancipated.

Instagram // @jodiesweetin

Additionally, Sweetin is accountable for addressing back payments, which date back to September 1st, 2017. The court has stipulated that this outstanding amount had to be paid in two installments, with due dates on February 1st, 2018, and March 1st, 2018. This case serves as a reminder that legal proceedings can have enduring financial consequences, even for well-known figures like Jodie Sweetin.

Jeremy Renner

Jeremy Renner is currently providing financial support to his daughter, Ava, who he had with his ex-wife Sonni Pacheco. The monthly payment stands at a substantial $30,000, covering essential expenses such as food and housing.

Instagram // @jeremyrenner

What’s notable is Renner’s perspective on this financial commitment. He contends that $11,201 per month should cover their child’s needs better.

Val Kilmer

In an ongoing situation, Joanne Whalley, the ex-wife of Val Kilmer, has raised concerns about his child support payments, which amount to a significant $27,500 per month. Their two children, Mercedes and Jack, are central to this matter, particularly given Jack’s underage status.

Facebook // Val Kilmer

Joanne has taken steps to secure the payments by placing a lien on Val’s property. The exact amount he owes remains unspecified, but it’s substantial enough for Joanne to seek the transfer of Val’s $18.5 million New Mexico ranch. Interestingly, the property’s value has seen significant fluctuations, with an initial listing at $33 million in 2009, later dropping to $23 million, and finally reaching $18.5 million.

Rob Kardashian

Amid the Kardashian family’s well-documented drama, Rob Kardashian drew attention when he sought to modify his child support payments. Initially, he was paying a substantial $20,000 monthly for child support. Rob claimed that he was struggling to meet these obligations, emphasizing the emotional toll caused by a restraining order filed against him by his ex, Blac Chyna, in 2017. This financial adjustment marked a significant development in the ongoing Kardashian family narrative.

Pinterest // @HollywoodLife

According to court documents, Rob expressed the emotional challenges he had faced during that period. Notably, he indicated his lack of interest in continuing his involvement in the reality show Keeping Up With the Kardashians. Instead, he sought privacy and a recovery period to navigate the emotional upheaval, all while exploring alternative business ventures.

Johnny Knoxville

Johnny Knoxville’s divorce from ex-wife Melanie ended with a monthly child support obligation of $6,000 for their daughter.

Instagram // @johnnyknoxville

Even after their 12-year marriage came to an end, they opted for a fair split of their bank accounts. Melanie also received a significant portion of the payments generated by the franchise, as well as a share of the earnings from the Dukes of Hazzard movie, for which Johnny Knoxville received a substantial $5 million.

Owen Wilson

Owen Wilson, the beloved comedy man, found himself in a real-life comedy-drama when a paternity test confirmed he was the father of his ex-girlfriend Varunie Vongsvirates’ daughter, Lyla.

Pinterest // @hollywoodhiccups.com

Wilson was slapped with a monthly child support bill of $25,000 for their daughter, Lyla. But that’s not all! He also had to pay an additional $35,000 for court fees and another $35,000 to cover childbirth expenses.

50 Cent

Rap sensation Curtis Jackson, known as 50 Cent, peeled back the layers of his strained relationship with his son, Marquise Jackson.

Twitter // @50cent

During a revealing conversation, he said that he had shelled out a staggering sum of over $1.36 million in child support over the years. It’s a testament to the complexities and challenges of family dynamics, even in the world of the rich and famous.

Mos Def

Yasiin Bey, the artist also known as Mos Def, was in a decade-long marriage with Maria Yepes, which concluded in 2006. Initially, the court stipulated child support at $8,000 per month for his two children, Jauhara and Chandani Smith. However, owing to his growing success, the child support was later increased to $10,000 per month. After the adjustment, Mos Def faced difficulties keeping up with the payments. Or, perhaps he chose not to.

Instagram // @mos__def

In January 2016, he was deported from South Africa, where he’d been residing, due to outstanding warrants in the United States, primarily for unpaid child support. Shockingly, he was over half a million dollars behind in child support payments, leaving his children without support for an extended period of time. This case serves as a stark reminder of the far-reaching consequences of unpaid child support.

Kirk Kerkorian

In one of the most contentious and financially substantial divorces, Kirk Kerkorian and his ex-wife Lisa Bonder found themselves entangled in a dispute over child support for their daughter. After an extended legal battle, an unexpected turn of events occurred – Kirk and Lisa reached a settlement.

Reddit // r/armenia

The renowned child support attorney, Michael Trope, secured an additional $10.25 million in retroactive child support dating back to 2002.