The Divorce Fight Over a Potbellied Pig Named Max

What Happened

Before he became one of the biggest movie stars in the world, George Clooney married actress Talia Balsam in Las Vegas on December 15, 1989. Their marriage was troubled from the start, and Clooney filed for divorce on October 12, 1992, listing their date of separation as late August 1991. The divorce proceedings lasted 25 months, five months longer than the marriage itself.

The dissolution became contentious, with 'disputed claims' over community property. Among the fought-over assets was Max, Clooney's beloved potbellied pig. Max had become one of Clooney's most prized companions, and the custody dispute over the animal became one of the most memorable details of the proceedings.

The final settlement, reached on September 21, 1993, awarded Balsam a queen-size bed with box spring and mattress, a 1988 Dodge, a $95,000 lump-sum payment, and $50,000 as reimbursement of her separate property contribution to their home. Balsam waived her right to spousal support. Clooney retained Max the pig, who would live with him for another 18 years until the pig's death in 2006.

Despite the contentious proceedings, Clooney later spoke generously about the settlement: 'I would say to Talia, you tell me how much, what you think is fair. I'll write the check.' He blamed himself for the marriage's failure and famously declared he would never marry again, a vow he kept for 21 years until marrying Amal Alamuddin in 2014. Balsam went on to marry actor John Slattery of Mad Men fame.

Legal Breakdown: Pets and unusual property create emotional flashpoints in divorce

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