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The $9 Billion Divorce: Inside David Geffen’s Short-Lived Marriage To Husband Donovan Michaels

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The question of "Who is David Geffen's husband?" now comes with a dramatic, multi-billion-dollar answer. As of late December 2024, entertainment mogul David Geffen is in the midst of a high-stakes, contentious divorce from his estranged husband, David Armstrong—who also goes by the name Donovan Michaels—after a marriage that lasted less than two years. The split has captured global headlines not only for the 50-year age gap between the two men but, more critically, for the shocking revelation that the billionaire couple never signed a prenuptial agreement.

The legal battle is centered on the division of assets from one of the world's most successful and wealthy music and film executives, with Geffen's husband reportedly seeking a substantially larger settlement than the $50,000 per month he was initially receiving.

David Lawrence Geffen: A Comprehensive Biography and Profile

David Lawrence Geffen is a titan of the American entertainment industry, whose career spans over five decades and includes founding some of the most influential record labels and film studios in modern history.

  • Full Name: David Lawrence Geffen
  • Date of Birth: February 21, 1943
  • Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York
  • Current Age: 82 (as of late 2024)
  • Estimated Net Worth: Between $7.7 billion and $9 billion (as of 2024/2025)
  • Career Highlights:
    • Began his career in the mailroom at the William Morris Agency.
    • Co-founded Asylum Records in 1971, signing acts like The Eagles, Joni Mitchell, and Jackson Browne.
    • Founded Geffen Records in 1980, launching the careers of artists like Guns N' Roses and Nirvana.
    • Co-founded the film studio DreamWorks SKG in 1994 with Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg.
    • Known for his vast philanthropic efforts and art collection.
  • Notable Assets:
    • The $400 million, 454-foot Superyacht Rising Sun.
    • Extensive real estate portfolio, including a famous compound in Malibu.

The Short-Lived Marriage to Donovan Michaels (David Armstrong)

The relationship between David Geffen and David Armstrong (Donovan Michaels) was one of Hollywood's most talked-about May-December romances, largely due to the vast age and wealth disparity.

Who is David Armstrong (Donovan Michaels)?

David Armstrong, who is 32 years old, is the estranged husband of David Geffen. He is also known by the alias Donovan Michaels, which he reportedly used online.

Michaels' background includes a previous life as a Go-Go dancer and aspirations of a modeling career. His legal team has argued that he "gave up his dreams" and independence to be with the billionaire mogul.

The pair's relationship was kept largely private, though they made rare public appearances, including sitting courtside at Los Angeles Lakers games and, most notably, aboard Geffen's massive yacht, the Rising Sun.

The Timeline of the Marriage and Divorce

The couple's entire marriage lasted less than 24 months, yet the financial implications are expected to be staggering due to the lack of a prenuptial agreement.

  • March 2023: David Geffen and David Armstrong (Donovan Michaels) officially marry.
  • April 2024: Geffen, 82, files for divorce from Michaels, 32, citing "irreconcilable differences."
  • No Prenup: It is publicly confirmed that the couple did not execute a prenuptial agreement, immediately raising speculation about the future division of Geffen's multi-billion-dollar fortune.
  • Divorce Battle Escalates: Michaels' legal team pushes back against the initial reported settlement, with the estranged husband claiming he deserves more than the reported $50,000 per month, asserting that Geffen's monthly expenses were previously around $3 million.
  • November 2024: A judge rules on November 18 that the marriage can be legally terminated, moving the proceedings into the final, and likely most contentious, phase of dividing the marital assets.

The Billion-Dollar Risk: Why the Lack of a Prenup Matters

The absence of a prenuptial agreement in a marriage involving a figure with a net worth approaching $9 billion is a rare and monumental legal risk.

In California, where the divorce was filed, marital assets acquired during the marriage are generally considered community property and are subject to a 50/50 division.

While Geffen's vast wealth was accumulated long before his marriage to Michaels, the short duration of the marriage complicates the financial picture. The legal battle is now focused on what, if any, portion of the mogul's immense estate—including income, property appreciation, and lifestyle expenses during the marriage—could be considered community property.

Michaels’ argument centers on the idea of spousal support and his alleged contribution to the marriage by giving up his career. The final settlement is expected to be one of the largest non-prenuptial celebrity divorces in recent history, setting a precedent for high-net-worth individuals.

David Geffen's Relationship History: Before Donovan Michaels

Before his marriage to Donovan Michaels, David Geffen was known for a number of high-profile relationships, both with men and women, demonstrating a private life as complex and interesting as his professional career.

Geffen has been open about his bisexuality and his past romantic entanglements with major Hollywood figures.

  • Cher (1974–1975): Geffen had a significant relationship with the iconic singer Cher while she was separated from her husband, Sonny Bono. The two were reportedly very serious and even discussed marriage at the time.
  • Steve Antin (1989–1990): Geffen dated actor and director Steve Antin, a relationship that was part of the mogul's life in the late 1980s.
  • Marlo Thomas (1996): Geffen also had a brief but notable relationship with actress and producer Marlo Thomas.

These relationships underscore Geffen's position at the heart of Hollywood's social and cultural elite for decades, long before his recent marriage and subsequent divorce. The ongoing legal saga with Donovan Michaels marks the latest, and perhaps most financially explosive, chapter in the mogul's storied personal life.

david geffen husband
david geffen husband

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