Stephen & Kara Ross — The $8 Billion Real Estate Divorce
He built Hudson Yards and owned the Dolphins — she got $300 million but none of the business empire.
Key Facts
What Happened
Stephen Ross, the billionaire chairman of Related Companies and owner of the Miami Dolphins, saw his 18-year marriage to jewelry designer Kara Ross end in November 2021 when she filed for an uncontested divorce in New York. At the time, Ross's net worth was estimated at $8.2 billion, built primarily through Related Companies — the developer behind Hudson Yards, the largest private real estate development in American history.
The divorce proceeded with surprising calm, largely because of a prenuptial agreement the couple had signed before their 2003 wedding. The prenup reportedly stipulated that Kara would not receive any portion of Stephen's business holdings, including his majority stake in the Dolphins, his shares in SoulCycle and Equinox, or his interest in Related Companies.
Legal sources estimated that Kara's settlement would fall between $200 million and $300 million — an enormous sum by any standard, but a small fraction of Ross's total wealth. The prenup effectively ring-fenced his business empire, limiting Kara's claims to personal and liquid assets accumulated during the marriage.
By early 2022, Kara had purchased a $5.6 million apartment on Fifth Avenue and was rebuilding her life independently. The Ross divorce demonstrates how a well-drafted prenuptial agreement can protect business assets while still providing a substantial settlement to the departing spouse.
Legal Breakdown: How prenuptial agreements protect business empires from divorce claims
Prenuptial Agreements and Business Protection
The Ross prenup carved out all business holdings from the marital estate. This is a common strategy among ultra-wealthy entrepreneurs who want to ensure that a divorce does not force a sale or restructuring of their companies.
Uncontested Divorce Filing
Kara filed for an uncontested divorce, signaling that the prenup terms were accepted without challenge. In New York, this streamlines the process and keeps details out of the public record — a significant advantage for high-profile couples.
Personal vs. Business Assets
The settlement likely included liquid assets, real estate, jewelry, and other personal property accumulated during the marriage. By contrast, the business interests — which comprised the vast majority of Ross's wealth — remained untouched.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →A well-drafted prenup can protect a multi-billion-dollar business empire while still providing a generous settlement to the other spouse.
- →Uncontested divorces keep financial details private and reduce litigation costs — but only work when both sides accept the prenup terms.
- →Even with a prenup limiting claims to $200-300 million, the non-business spouse can still build substantial independent wealth post-divorce.
- →If you have significant business assets, a prenuptial agreement is not optional — it is essential insurance against an unpredictable future.
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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.