The Divorce Delivered by Text Message
A text message ended a marriage worth millions
Key Facts
What Happened
British comedian Russell Brand and pop star Katy Perry married on October 23, 2010, in a lavish ceremony in Rajasthan, India. The wedding featured fireworks, elephants, and a guest list flown in on private jets. The couple appeared deeply in love, and their combined star power made them one of the most followed celebrity couples in the world.
Fourteen months later, on December 31, 2011, Brand informed Perry via text message that he wanted a divorce. The devastating moment was captured in Perry's 2012 documentary Katy Perry: Part of Me, which showed the singer learning about the text just moments before she was scheduled to take the stage for a New Year's Eve concert. She performed the show through tears.
Brand formally filed for divorce on December 30, 2011, citing irreconcilable differences. In a notable development, the couple had no prenuptial agreement in place, which under California community property law would have entitled Brand to half of Perry's substantial earnings during the marriage. Perry earned an estimated $44 million in 2011 alone. However, Brand voluntarily waived any financial claims against Perry, seeking no money whatsoever.
Court documents filed in Los Angeles confirmed a 'comprehensive written settlement of all issues,' including distribution of four properties in California, New York, and London totaling approximately $15 million. Perry legally restored her maiden name, Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, signing the court papers with a smiley face. Speaking to Vogue in 2013, Perry said: 'Let's just say I haven't heard from him since he texted me saying he was divorcing me December 31, 2011.'
Legal Breakdown: No-prenup divorces and the voluntary waiver of spousal claims
Community Property Without a Prenup
California is a community property state, meaning assets earned during marriage are generally split 50/50. Without a prenup, Brand was legally entitled to half of Perry's earnings during their 14-month marriage, potentially tens of millions of dollars. His decision to waive these claims was voluntary and legally unusual.
Text Message as Divorce Notice
While Brand informed Perry by text, this had no legal significance. Divorce requires formal legal filing with the court. A text message is not a legal instrument and cannot initiate or finalize a divorce. Brand's formal filing was made through proper legal channels regardless of the personal notification method.
Property Division Across Jurisdictions
The couple's properties spanned California, New York, and London, creating multi-jurisdictional complexity. Different property laws apply in each location, and the settlement had to account for varying tax implications, ownership structures, and disposal requirements across three distinct legal systems.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →The absence of a prenuptial agreement can create enormous financial exposure, especially for the higher-earning spouse
- →How a divorce is communicated personally has no bearing on the legal process, but it can have lasting emotional impact
- →Voluntary waiver of financial claims is possible but should always be documented in a formal settlement agreement
- →Multi-jurisdictional property holdings add significant complexity and cost to divorce proceedings
Going Through a Divorce?
Get confidential guidance tailored to your situation — free, private, and available 24/7.
Related Cases
Jeff Bezos & MacKenzie Scott
United States · 2019
The most expensive divorce in history — settled in months, not years
Prenups & AgreementsDr. Dre & Nicole Young
United States · 2020–2024
She said the prenup was signed under duress — the judge disagreed
Prenups & AgreementsCharlie Chaplin & Lita Grey
United States · 1927
One of the first celebrity divorces in history — she was 16 when they married, and the court papers shocked the world
Prenups & AgreementsWas 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.