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Have you ever had to write a $150,000,000 check and walk away with a smile? Most people would be crying in a dark room, but for Neil Diamond, it was just another Monday.
In 1995, the “Sweet Caroline” superstar pulled off what was then the most expensive celebrity divorce in history with her 2nd wife, Marcia Murphy.
But why the massive bill? And why did they split after 25 years, you might ask!
When Neil met Marcia Murphey in 1969, he wasn’t yet a legend. She was a production assistant, and he was just a kid from Brooklyn with a few hits under his belt. They stayed together for 25 years, a lifetime in Hollywood!
Neil Diamond’s Ex-Wife Finally Confesses Why She Divorced Him After 25 Years
By 1994, Marcia filed for divorce, citing “irreconcilable differences.” They had simply grown apart. Neil was a touring machine, always on the road, while their lives took different paths.
Because they were married throughout his rise to the top, Marcia was legally entitled to half of everything he built, which explains the large settlement amount.
When the settlement leaked, the world gasped. But Neil didn’t go to war. Instead, he dropped the ultimate quote:
“She’s worth every penny.”
He recognized that Marcia kept him sane during his craziest years. So, he wasn’t paying a fine; he was paying back the woman who helped him become a billionaire!
Neil Diamond – Sweet Caroline (Audio)
Their marriage didn’t just end in a big check; neither did Neil say “She’s worth every penny” just for the sake of saying, he proved it by giving us the world’s biggest love song dedicated to his ex-wife, Marcia.
For decades, everyone thought “Sweet Caroline” was about JFK’s daughter. But in 2014, Neil finally dropped the truth: The song was actually about Marcia.
The touching hands and the good times he talks about in the song were all inspired by his love for the woman who would later walk away with $150 million. The song was a massive hit worldwide and is still considered a love anthem!
Neil did justice to the woman who inspired her, was there behind him while he struggled to be a music legend, and paid her what she deserved when they set apart.
