Ewan McGregor & Eve Mavrakis: Half the Star Wars Fortune and a Daughter's Public Fury
She got half of Star Wars, Trainspotting, and Moulin Rouge — plus their daughter called his girlfriend 'a piece of trash' on Instagram
Key Facts
What Happened
Ewan McGregor and Eve Mavrakis were married for 22 years and had four daughters when photographs surfaced in October 2017 of McGregor kissing his 'Fargo' co-star Mary Elizabeth Winstead at a London cafe. The images, published by The Sun, ended one of Hollywood's longest-running marriages and triggered a bitter, very public divorce.
McGregor filed for divorce in January 2018, and the financial reckoning was swift. Under California community property law, Mavrakis was entitled to half of all earnings during their 22-year marriage — including royalties from some of the most iconic films of the era. The settlement included half of McGregor's future royalties from the Star Wars prequels, Trainspotting, Moulin Rouge, Big Fish, and dozens of other productions. Mavrakis also received $54,000 per month in spousal support and $22,000 per month in child support.
The personal fallout was equally brutal. The couple's eldest daughter, Clara, posted a now-deleted Instagram comment calling Winstead 'a piece of trash,' exposing the family's private pain to millions. McGregor's Golden Globes acceptance speech in January 2018, in which he thanked both Mavrakis and Winstead, was widely criticized as tone-deaf. Mavrakis responded on social media to a fan's supportive comment about the speech, writing simply: 'No words.'
The divorce was finalized in August 2020. Mavrakis kept their Los Angeles home, her jewelry, and $767,000 in cash assets. McGregor retained 30 vehicles from their collection while Mavrakis received five. The case is now studied in family law courses as a textbook example of how California community property law treats intellectual property and entertainment royalties accumulated during marriage.
Legal Breakdown: Dividing Intellectual Property and Royalties
Entertainment Royalties as Community Property
In California, royalties from creative works produced during marriage are community property, even if they continue to pay out for decades after divorce. McGregor's Star Wars prequels, filmed during the marriage, will generate royalties indefinitely — and Mavrakis is entitled to half of every payment. This applies to residuals, merchandise licensing, and streaming revenue.
Spousal Support After Long Marriages
For marriages lasting more than 10 years, California courts can award permanent spousal support with no automatic termination date. The $54,000 monthly award reflected both the marital standard of living and the disparity in earning potential — Mavrakis had largely set aside her own career as a production designer to support McGregor's.
Public Social Media and Divorce Proceedings
Social media posts by family members can become evidence in divorce proceedings. Clara McGregor's public criticism of Winstead, while emotionally understandable, illustrated how digital outbursts can complicate negotiations and affect the emotional environment of custody discussions.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →Intellectual property and entertainment royalties are community property in California — a 22-year marriage means 22 years of creative output is on the table.
- →Long marriages often result in permanent spousal support with no automatic end date, especially when one spouse sacrificed career opportunities.
- →Social media outbursts during divorce proceedings can damage negotiations and expose family conflicts to public scrutiny.
- →If your career generates ongoing royalties or residuals, a prenup addressing intellectual property is essential.
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This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.