Ron Perelman: The Revlon Billionaire Who Married Five Times and Spent Hundreds of Millions in Divorce Settlements
Five marriages, four divorces, one landmark custody battle, and a masterclass in what serial divorce costs a billionaire
Key Facts
What Happened
Ronald Perelman, the Revlon chairman and leveraged-buyout king whose net worth peaked at $6 billion, holds an unenviable distinction: he is one of America's most-divorced billionaires. His five marriages produced four divorces, each more expensive and contentious than the last. The total cost -- estimated at over $300 million in direct settlements, plus tens of millions more in legal fees -- represents a staggering price for serial matrimony at the billionaire level.
His first divorce from Faith Golding (a Sterling Bank heiress) in 1984 cost $8 million. His second, from gossip columnist Claudia Cohen in 1994, cost $80 million. His third marriage to socialite and Democratic fundraiser Patricia Duff, which lasted just three years, produced the most dramatic proceedings: a custody battle over their daughter Caleigh that became a landmark New York case. Duff initially rejected Perelman's $30 million offer, and the couple spent over $15 million on lawyers alone before settling.
His fourth marriage to actress Ellen Barkin in 2000 ended in 2006 with a settlement reported between $40 million and $60 million. The settlement required Perelman to invest millions in a film production company Barkin had started with her brother -- a commitment he promptly failed to honor, spawning additional years of litigation. His fifth marriage to Dr. Anna Chapman has endured longer than the others.
The Perelman divorces collectively illustrate a pattern common among serial divorcing wealthy individuals: each successive marriage starts with lessons supposedly learned, yet the same dynamics recur. Despite having the best legal counsel money could buy, Perelman's total divorce costs consumed roughly 5% of his peak net worth. The Patricia Duff custody case, in particular, changed how New York courts handle custody disputes involving wealthy parents, establishing precedents about a child's right to stability over a parent's lifestyle preferences.
Legal Breakdown: High-Net-Worth Divorce
The Escalating Cost of Serial Divorce
Perelman's divorce history shows how costs escalate with each subsequent marriage. First divorces are often simpler because the estate is smaller and expectations are lower. By the third and fourth divorce, the spouse's legal team has case law, media precedent, and public sympathy working in their favor. Each divorce also depletes the marital estate, meaning the next spouse has less to claim but fights harder for their share.
Custody Battles as Financial Warfare
The Perelman-Duff custody battle consumed over $15 million in legal fees -- dwarfing the $30 million settlement itself. In high-net-worth divorces, custody disputes are often used as leverage in financial negotiations. By fighting aggressively over custody, one spouse can pressure the other into making financial concessions to resolve the case faster. Courts have become increasingly skeptical of this tactic, but it remains common.
Post-Settlement Enforcement
Perelman's failure to honor the film investment provision of the Barkin settlement led to years of additional litigation. A divorce settlement is a legally binding contract, and failing to fulfill its terms exposes the non-compliant spouse to contempt of court, damages, and attorney's fees. Always ensure your settlement agreement includes clear enforcement mechanisms and deadlines.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →Serial divorce is exponentially expensive. Each subsequent divorce typically costs more in legal fees, settlements, and emotional toll.
- →Custody disputes in high-net-worth cases often serve as financial leverage. Understand this dynamic and respond strategically, not emotionally.
- →Settlement agreements must include clear enforcement provisions -- a promise to invest or pay is meaningless without consequences for non-compliance.
- →Learning from Perelman's pattern: improved prenuptial agreements with each marriage can limit future exposure, but the best protection is choosing the right partner.
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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.