Kanye West & Kim Kardashian: $2.7 Billion, Social Media Meltdowns, and Custody Chaos
A $2.7 billion estate, a presidential run, and Instagram posts that became court evidence
Key Facts
What Happened
Kim Kardashian filed for divorce from Kanye West in February 2021, after nearly seven years of marriage. The couple's combined net worth at the time was estimated at $2.7 billion — Kanye's Yeezy brand alone was valued at up to $4.7 billion by some estimates, while Kim's KKW Beauty and SKIMS ventures were worth hundreds of millions. They had four children: North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm.
What made the divorce extraordinary was not the money — it was Kanye's behavior during proceedings. He launched a presidential campaign, made erratic public statements, and used social media to publicly harass Kim, her then-boyfriend Pete Davidson, and their attorneys. He posted private text messages, made threats, and used Instagram as a platform to air grievances about custody, co-parenting, and his children's schooling.
The social media campaign became a legal issue. Kim's attorneys cited Kanye's posts as evidence of harassment and as a factor in custody considerations. The court granted Kim's request to be declared legally single in March 2022 — a bifurcation that dissolved the marriage while financial and custody matters remained pending. This allowed Kim to move on personally while the complex asset division continued.
The final settlement, reached in November 2022, required Kanye to pay $200,000 per month in child support. Kim retained the Hidden Hills, California, family home. Critically, there was no spousal support — both parties waived it. The property division honored their prenuptial agreement, with each keeping their separate business interests. The case became a landmark example of how mental health issues, social media behavior, and custody intersect in modern high-profile divorce.
Legal Breakdown: Mental Health and Custody
Bifurcation: Legally Single While Still Negotiating
California allows 'bifurcation,' where the court declares the parties legally single while property and custody matters remain pending. This is useful when one party is being harassed or when the divorce is being delayed. Kim used this to end the marriage on paper while the complex financial settlement continued.
Social Media as Harassment Evidence
Kanye's Instagram posts were cited in court filings as evidence of emotional distress and intimidation. Courts increasingly recognize social media campaigns against a spouse as a form of harassment that can affect custody and even constitute grounds for restraining orders.
Mental Health and Custody
While mental health conditions alone are not grounds for denying custody, a parent's behavior and stability are key factors. Courts evaluate whether a parent's mental health affects their ability to provide a safe, stable environment. Kanye's erratic public behavior was relevant to the custody analysis.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →Social media posts during divorce can be used as evidence of harassment, instability, and poor judgment. Silence is a legal strategy.
- →Bifurcation allows you to be declared legally single while financial matters are still pending. Ask your attorney if this is available in your state.
- →Mental health issues do not automatically affect custody, but behavior stemming from untreated conditions can. Courts care about actions, not diagnoses.
- →Even billionaires use prenups, and they work. The Kardashian-West prenup streamlined what could have been a decade-long asset battle.
Going Through a Divorce?
Get confidential guidance tailored to your situation — free, private, and available 24/7.
Related Cases
Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie
United States · 2016–present
8+ years of custody battles — and still no final resolution
Custody & ChildrenArnold Schwarzenegger & Maria Shriver
United States · 2011–2021
A secret child with the housekeeper, a Kennedy family dynasty, and a 10-year divorce saga
Custody & ChildrenKim Basinger & Alec Baldwin
United States · 2002
A custody battle so brutal that Baldwin wrote a book about it — and a leaked voicemail shocked the nation
Custody & ChildrenWas this helpful? Help us keep it free.
divorce911.ai is funded entirely by donations. Every dollar keeps the AI assistant and 1,700+ guides free for people in crisis.
Know someone going through a divorce? This could help them.
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.