Celebrity Prenups: What Celeb Couples Teach Us About Financial Planning
Celebrities often live out their relationships in the public eye. But beyond the scrutiny, there’s a lot to learn from their experiences. For example, their prenuptial agreements offer valuable lessons. Some celeb couples benefited from well-drafted contracts, while others faced unexpected challenges because of missing or outdated agreements. Sharing real prenup stories from these high-profile relationships can help others approach these agreements thoughtfully and transparently. With guidance from services like Neptune, where we help couples draft clear, collaborative prenups, planning your financial future together becomes simpler and less intimidating.In this article, we’ll explore recent celebrity prenup examples and see what everyday couples can learn from them. Let’s take a look at some standout prenups.
Key takeaways
- You can include lifestyle clauses like infidelity provisions (Catherine Zeta-Jones receives $2.8 million annually plus a $5 million bonus for cheating) or confidentiality agreements that prevent media deals about your relationship
- Your prenup doesn't need to be complex to be effective - Rebecca Minkoff started with a simple napkin agreement stating 'what's mine is mine, what's yours is yours' and evolved it over time
- Sunset clauses can expire your agreement after a set period (like Chris Rock's 20-year clause), but they work best when paired with regular reviews to ensure your prenup still reflects your goals
- Full financial disclosure is essential - nearly all celebrity prenups begin by listing every asset, business, debt, and income source to build trust and avoid future disputes
- You should treat your prenup as a living document that evolves with your relationship, just like how couples can add estate planning clauses or update terms as careers and family goals change
- Prenups can include sophisticated provisions like stepped settlements tied to marriage length or choice-of-law clauses, showing these principles apply whether you have millions or own small businesses and digital assets
1. Catherine Zeta‑Jones and Michael Douglas: Lifestyle, Annual Payment, and Infidelity Clause
Their prenup reportedly promises Catherine a fixed annual payment, about $2.8 million, for each year they are married. In addition, if Michael were ever found cheating, she’d receive a bonus of around $5 million.
Here’s an example of what an Infidelity clause could look like in a prenup:
“Spouse A shall pay Spouse B $X per year of marriage, and an additional $Y in the event of verified infidelity.”
These kinds of lifestyle clauses, sometimes called infidelity provisions, aren’t limited to Hollywood. They can be tailored to any couple’s values.
2. Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez: Confidentiality Clause
Ariana Grande’s prenup with Dalton Gomez reportedly prevented either spouse from pursuing media deals (book, podcast, film, etc.) related to the marriage’s end. This is an example also often referred to as a no‑deal clause.
Here’s how a typical confidentiality clause would look:
“Neither party shall enter into, individually or collectively, any commercial or media project relating to the marriage or divorce without prior written consent of both parties.”
Confidentiality or non‑disparagement clauses are practical tools for anyone who values privacy, whether you’re a celebrity or not. Couples using Neptune’s services often add similar clauses when they have professional reputations to protect or simply want peace of mind.
3. Rebecca Minkoff and Gavin Bellour: Simplicity and Family Protection
Designer Rebecca Minkoff once explained that she and her husband wrote their prenup on a napkin: “What’s mine is mine, what’s yours is yours.”
As their financial success grew, they added a will‑based clause ensuring assets remain in a trust for their children, even if Gavin remarries after her death.
That reinforces a key point: even short prenups can evolve into deeply functional estate-planning tools.
4. Chris Rock and Malaak Compton‑Rock: The Expiration Clause
Chris Rock’s 20‑year agreement reportedly expired just before Malaak filed for divorce. As a result, California’s default community‑property laws applied, changing how the couple’s assets were assessed and shared after their separation.
Key lesson: Sunset (expiration) clauses can be useful, but they work best when paired with regular check-ins. A sunset clause in a prenup might read:
“This agreement shall expire twenty years from the date of marriage, after which separate property shall be governed by applicable statutory law.”
For couples today, this example is a reminder that prenups aren’t one-and-done documents. As lives, careers, and family goals evolve, it’s worth revisiting the terms to ensure the agreement still reflects your shared intentions.
At Neptune, we guide couples through thoughtful updates, so your prenup stays aligned with your relationship values.
5. Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez: Hidden, Ultra‑Complex Wealth Planning
Jeff Bezos, who didn’t have a prenup in his first marriage, likely pursued a highly complex prenup ahead of his wedding to Lauren Sánchez. Analysts expect multi‑jurisdictional asset protection, choice‑of‑law clauses, sunset triggers, and stepped financial settlements tied to the length of marriage or behavior.
Some examples of prenup clauses include:
- Choice‑of‑law clause: “This agreement shall be governed exclusively by the laws of California (or other jurisdictions)…”
- Stepped settlement clause: “Year 5: $5 million; Year 10: $20 million; after Year 20: no further payments.”
These sophisticated agreements reflect the scale of assets involved, but the same principles apply to couples who own small businesses, digital assets, or family property.
What These Celebrity Prenups Teach Everyday Couples
While most of us don’t have millions in movie royalties or global business empires, the principles behind celebrity prenups still apply. These agreements show how couples, famous or not, can use a prenup to build trust and confidence in their future together.
1. Full disclosure is essential
Nearly all celebrity prenuptial agreements start by listing every asset, business, property, debt, and income source. This honesty builds trust and avoids disputes later.
2. Define separate vs. shared property
Clear language on what remains individual property (like a business or inheritance) and what is shared helps reduce confusion if the relationship changes.
3. Consider lifestyle and privacy clauses
While not everyone needs infidelity clauses or media restrictions, couples often benefit from privacy agreements, especially if they own public‑facing businesses or social media brands.
4. Use sunset or adjustment provisions
Agreements can change over time. A prenup might expire after a certain period or scale benefits as the marriage endures.
5. Keep it flexible and review periodically
A prenup doesn’t have to be static. Just like Rebecca Minkoff updated hers, modern couples can revisit agreements as careers, family plans, or assets evolve. Neptune offers guidance on how and when to make these updates smoothly.
Make Your Prenup Solid Like a Celeb Couple’s
Celebrity prenups may seem dramatic, but they highlight a simple truth: discussing finances early creates clarity and reduces future stress. Whether it’s a basic “what’s mine is mine” agreement or a detailed clause on privacy, prenups can reflect your unique priorities.
At Neptune, we help couples create agreements that feel fair and collaborative, while remaining future‑focused. Our approach goes beyond templates, giving couples step‑by‑step guidance to have open, constructive conversations about finances.
When approached openly, with both partners fully informed and supported, prenups can further strengthen your relationship trust. They can provide the outline for fairness and respect, especially if life takes an unexpected turn.
Frequently asked questions
What is an infidelity clause in a prenup?
An infidelity clause promises additional financial compensation if one spouse cheats during the marriage. For example, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas reportedly included a clause where she would receive around $5 million bonus if he were found cheating, on top of her annual $2.8 million payment. These lifestyle clauses can be tailored to any couple's values, not just celebrities.
Do prenups expire?
Yes, prenups can include sunset (expiration) clauses that make the agreement expire after a certain time period. Chris Rock's prenup reportedly expired after 20 years, just before his wife filed for legal separation, which meant California's community property laws applied instead. Couples can include language like "This agreement shall expire twenty years from the date of marriage."
Can you change a prenup after marriage?
Yes, prenups can be updated and modified after marriage as circumstances change. Designer Rebecca Minkoff started with a simple napkin agreement but later added estate planning clauses as their wealth grew. Modern couples often revisit their agreements as careers, family plans, or assets evolve to ensure the prenup still reflects their shared intentions.
What is a confidentiality clause in a prenup?
A confidentiality clause prevents either spouse from pursuing media deals or sharing details about the marriage publicly. Ariana Grande's prenup reportedly included a "no-deal clause" preventing either spouse from book, podcast, or film deals about their relationship. These clauses typically state that neither party can enter commercial projects about the marriage without written consent from both parties.
What should be included in a basic prenup?
A basic prenup should include full disclosure of all assets, debts, and income sources, plus clear definitions of separate versus shared property. Celebrity agreements show that even simple "what's mine is mine, what's yours is yours" arrangements can be effective. Couples may also consider privacy clauses, sunset provisions, and stepped financial settlements that change based on marriage length.