The Nastiest Star Splits
Heather Mills and Paul McCartney: The rock icon and former model split up in 2006 after a four-year marriage. In court papers, Mills accused McCartney of being violent and abusive. He denied the claims. In March, she was awarded a $48.6 million settlement. At the hearing, she doused McCartney's attorney with water.
Ralph Orlowski, Getty Images
Daniel Giersch and Kelly Rutherford: The 'Gossip Girl' actress and her husband are going through a heated divorce while Rutherford is pregnant with their second child. She claims on two occasions she called police because Giersch, an "avid kickboxer" had her cornered and was threatening her.
Larry Marano, Getty Images
Madonna and Guy Ritchie: The pop star and movie director were granted a preliminary decree of divorce by a London court in November. According to papers released by the court, Madonna cited Ritchie's "unreasonable behavior" in her petition for divorce. She agreed to pay him between $76 million and $92 million. Click through for some other nasty public divorces.
Mike Marsland, Wire Image
Alex Rodriguez and Cynthia Rodriguez: In early July, Cynthia Rodriguez rocked New York City tabloids when she filed for divorce from A-Rod, alleging infidelity and that the Yankees star "emotionally abandoned his wife and children." Her lawyer later said the slugger was having an "affair of the heart" with Madonna.
Rob Loud, Getty Images
Christie Brinkley and Peter Cook: They reached an out-of-court settlement, but only after several days of trial testimony exposed lurid details of architect Cook's affair with a teenage assistant and his predilection for Internet porn. The 54-year-old former supermodel agreed to pay Cook $2.1 million. She gets to keep 18 properties in the Hamptons and custody of the kids.
Dimitrios Kambouris, WireImage.com
Tricia Walsh-Smith and Philip Smith: The British actress became an Internet star by trashing her estranged husband on YouTube. She defended her video rants about the Broadway producer in a New York court in July. A judge ended up awarding Philip Smith a divorce on the grounds of cruel and inhuman treatment. Click through for some other nasty public divorces.
FilmMagic.com
James McGreevey and and Dina Matos: She was at her husband's side when he announced in 2004 that he was gay and resigned as New Jersey governor over an affair with a man. In a memoir, she said he hid his homosexuality; he denied it. He said they had trysts with a man; she denied that. A judge ruled in August he has to pay child support -- but no alimony.
Noah Addis, Pool / AP
Bill Murray and Jennifer Butler: When she filed for divorce in May, Butler alleged the funnyman actor abused her and was addicted to marijuana and alcohol. She also alleged he would often leave home without telling her, traveling overseas to engage in "public and private altercations and sexual liaisons." Murray refused to comment on the allegations. The divorce was quickly finalized.
Robyn Beck, AFP / Getty Images
Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons and Dawn Gibbons: When Gibbons filed for divorce from his wife of 22 years in May, he also sought a court order to evict Nevada's first lady from the governor's mansion in Carson City, Nev. In court papers, Dawn Gibbons accused her husband of abandoning their marriage because of his "infatuation and involvement" with the wife of a unnamed doctor. In June, the couple announced they were suspending divorce proceedings. Stay tuned.
Cathleen Allison, Nevada Appeal / AP
Hulk Hogan and Linda Bollea: Bollea filed for divorce from Hogan in November 2007 after 23 years of marriage. In June, she filed a court motion asking a Florida judge to throw the wrestling star in jail -- for failing to pay her $4.2 million to get an apartment. Bollea is dating a teenager 29 years her junior.
Vince Bucci, Getty Images
