In the world of the ultra-wealthy, divorce can be as tumultuous as it is for the average citizen. A recent study by Forbes highlights that the divorce rate among America’s richest mirrors that of the general population. However, the consequences of such separations are often amplified for billionaires, both financially and emotionally. This article explores high-profile cases of billionaires who left their wives for mistresses, revealing the personal turmoil behind their public personas.
Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google, saw his marriage to Anne Wojcicki unravel due to an affair with Amanda Rosenberg, a marketing executive at Google. The scandal culminated in a divorce finalized in 2015, although financial details remain under wraps. Bill Gates, the Microsoft co-founder, also faced marital strife, with allegations of workplace affairs and a controversial connection with Jeffrey Epstein. His divorce from Melinda French Gates in 2021 brought to light multiple infidelities, including a rumored affair with a young interpreter.
Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, experienced a very public breakup with MacKenzie Scott in early 2019, following the leak of intimate texts intended for his mistress, Lauren Sánchez. The divorce was finalized swiftly, with Scott receiving a staggering $35 billion in Amazon shares. Donald Trump’s tumultuous relationships also garnered media attention, with his first marriage to Ivana Trump ending amid allegations of infidelity with Marla Maples, whom he married shortly thereafter.
Warren Buffett’s non-traditional love life included a blessing from his first wife for him to pursue a relationship with Astrid Menks while still married. The couple married later, but only after Buffett’s first wife passed away. Similarly, Roman Abramovich, the Russian billionaire, left his wife and five 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren for Daria Zhukova, though that relationship also ended in divorce.
These stories expose the complex emotional landscapes that accompany wealth and infidelity, reminding us that even the richest are not immune to heartache and betrayal. Each case serves as a testament to the personal costs of high-profile relationships, where public scrutiny often meets private pain.
