Celebrity divorces have always been a subject of fascination among people, and Steven Spielberg’s 1989 split from his then-wife Amy Irving was no exception. The chatter was loud and clear, especially when it came to the jaw-dropping $100 million Spielberg reportedly lost due to their unconventional prenuptial agreement.
A supposed mistake by the world-renowned director in legal paperwork turned Spielberg and Irving’s divorce into one of the most costly in Hollywood history, leaving everyone wondering just how their strange terms could lead to such a staggering settlement.
How A Cocktail Napkin Reportedly Lost Steven Spielberg A $100 Million!
Back in 1985, when Steven Spielberg and Amy Irving got married, they reportedly crafted a prenuptial agreement detailing their combined income and assets, including provisions on how much Irving would receive in case of divorce.
Surprisingly, this agreement was scribbled on the back of a cocktail napkin without any legal professionals present, according to Forbes, a decision that would later unravel into a shocking saga.
Years later, four to be precise in 1989, when they split, Irving contested the validity of the napkin agreement, arguing that her lawyer hadn’t been present during its signing. The courtroom drama that followed captured headlines worldwide.
Ultimately, as per the Forbes report, the court sided with Irving, ruling that under California law, she was entitled to half of Spielberg’s earnings during their four-year marriage, a staggering $100 million settlement that left both Spielberg and the public astounded. Spielberg and Irving’s divorce to this day is one of the most talked-about and costly celebrity separations in history.
How Steven Spielberg and Amy Irving First Met
Spielberg and Irving initially crossed paths through Brian DePalma, who encouraged Irving to audition for Spielberg’s film Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Although she didn’t land a role in the movie, the actress did land a spot on Spielberg’s heart. The two immediately hit it off soon after they met.
Their relationship spanned from approximately 1976 to 1989, but it wasn’t without its troubles. Irving expressed a desire to establish her own identity first, which she felt the relationship with Spielberg restricted her from doing, and thus eventually split. She revealed to Femme Fatales magazine in 1977,
I would love to work for Steven but, right now, I want to make it on my own first. I do not ever want to be known as “Steven Spielberg’s girlfriend.” First I want to be Amy Irving.
After a few years apart, Irving and Spielberg again got back together in 1985. That same year, they married after Irving became pregnant with their son, Max. However, their reunion was short-lived, as rumors stated Irving continued to feel that Spielberg prioritized his career over their family during their marriage. This ultimately led to a divorce, and well the terms of which shocked the world.
