82YO billionaire David Geffen divorcing 32-year-old husband with no prenup
David Geffen (left) was private about his relationship with David Armstrong, though according to People he did share the occasional photo of the two on Instagram. Photo: David Geffen/Instagram
Retired music mogul David Geffen has filed for divorce from his dancer husband a month shy of the two-year mark of a marriage with no prenuptial agreement.
The 82-year-old billionaire will pay a year of spousal support — half the length of the marriage, as required by California law — to soon-to-be ex David Armstrong, whose stage name is Donovan Michaels, according to the filing obtained by TMZ and People .
While there was no prenup, Geffen's main source of income is stocks and other equities, which are considered separate property under California law, and thus so are the dividends, according to TMZ, which first reported on the split.
Geffen attributed the breakup to 'irreconcilable differences,' People reported, citing the petition filed May 16 in Los Angeles. They officially separated on Feb 22.
High-profile celebrity lawyer Laura Wasser, who has shepherded the likes of Kim Kardashian, Kevin Costner and Ariana Grande through their respective breakups, is representing Geffen. Known as the 'divorce lawyer to the stars,' and dubbed the Disso Queen, Wasser has also overseen the divorces of Jennifer Garner, Angelina Jolie and Britney Spears.
Geffen, who came out as gay in 1992, was private about his relationship with Armstrong, a 32-year-old go-go dancer, though according to People he did share the occasional photo of the two on Instagram. A December 2021 snap of him and Armstrong aboard the mogul's US$400mil yacht Rising Sun has since been deleted, People noted.
The former record exec, currently worth at least US$8.7bil, founded three labels — Asylum Records, Geffen Records and DGC Records — and co-founded the DreamWorks SKG film studio.
The Brooklyn-born Geffen is also known for his US$100mil contribution to the US$550mil renovation of what was formerly Avery Fisher Hall, renamed David Geffen Hall. The renovated space debuted as the new home of the New York Philharmonic when it emerged from a two-year makeover in 2022. – New York Daily News/Tribune News Service
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