JUST IN: Billionaire Media Mogul David Geffen, 82, Files for Divorce from Husband David Armstrong, 32, After Less Than Two Years of Marriage, With No Prenup in Place

Billionaire David Geffen Files for Divorce from David Armstrong After Less Than Two Years, No Prenup in Place

In a surprising turn of events, billionaire media mogul David Geffen, 82, has filed for divorce from his husband, David Armstrong, 32, after less than two years of marriage. The couple, who tied the knot in a private Beverly Hills ceremony in March 2023, did not sign a prenuptial agreement, raising eyebrows given Geffen’s estimated $8.7 billion fortune. The split, citing “irreconcilable differences,” has sparked widespread interest due to the couple’s 50-year age gap, their contrasting backgrounds, and the absence of a prenup to protect Geffen’s vast wealth. Represented by high-profile divorce attorney Laura Wasser, Geffen appears poised to navigate this high-stakes separation with his financial portfolio largely intact, thanks to California law.

A Whirlwind Romance and a Headline-Grabbing Union

David Geffen, a legendary figure in entertainment, co-founded Asylum Records, Geffen Records, DGC Records, and DreamWorks, shaping the music and film industries with his Midas touch. Known for his philanthropy and cultural contributions, including the renaming of New York’s Geffen Hall, the retired mogul has long been a private yet influential figure. In 2020, Geffen met David Armstrong, a former go-go dancer and personal trainer who performed under the stage name Donovan Michaels. Their relationship quickly blossomed, culminating in a discreet courthouse wedding in 2023.

Armstrong, who transitioned from adult entertainment and modeling to high society through his relationship with Geffen, brought a starkly different background to the marriage. Reports indicate Armstrong worked odd jobs in New York and Miami, including online cam shows and performances at gay clubs, before meeting Geffen. The couple’s significant age difference and Armstrong’s past fueled public fascination, with their union often described as an unlikely pairing of Hollywood royalty and a young aspiring entertainer.

No Prenup: A Risky Move for a Billionaire?

The absence of a prenuptial agreement has been a focal point of the divorce news, especially given Geffen’s staggering net worth, estimated at $8.7 billion by Forbes. For a man who built his fortune through calculated business moves, the decision to forgo a prenup was unexpected. However, legal experts suggest that Armstrong’s potential financial claims may be limited due to the structure of Geffen’s wealth and California’s community property laws.

Geffen, who retired 15 years ago, derives his income primarily from stocks, real estate, and investments, all classified as separate property under California law. Dividends from these assets also remain separate, meaning Armstrong is unlikely to access a significant portion of Geffen’s fortune. Additionally, because the marriage lasted less than two years, California law entitles Armstrong to spousal support for approximately one year—half the duration of the union. Geffen has agreed to cover both the spousal support and Armstrong’s legal fees, though the exact amount remains undisclosed.