Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes Finalize Divorce with $4.8 Million Child Support Agreement
Los Angeles, CA – July 9, 2012 — Hollywood power couple Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes have officially settled their divorce, concluding a high-profile marriage that captivated fans and media alike. The settlement, reached in record time, includes a significant child support arrangement for their daughter, Suri, but no spousal support for Holmes, according to sources close to the matter.
The agreement stipulates that Cruise, whose net worth is estimated at $250 million, will pay $400,000 annually in child support for Suri, who was six years old at the time of the divorce. This amounts to approximately $33,000 per month, totaling $4.8 million until Suri reaches the age of 18. Additionally, Cruise is responsible for covering Suri’s medical, dental, insurance, education, college, and extracurricular expenses. Holmes, however, will not receive any spousal support, as dictated by a prenuptial agreement signed in 2006 before their marriage.
The divorce, filed by Holmes in June 2012 citing “irreconcilable differences,” was finalized in just 11 days, a swift resolution attributed to both parties’ desire to prioritize Suri’s well-being. The couple released a joint statement: “We are committed to working together as parents to accomplish what is in our daughter Suri’s best interests. We want to keep matters affecting our family private and express our respect for each other’s commitment to each of our respective beliefs.”
Speculation has swirled around the role of Scientology in the split, with sources indicating Holmes sought to protect Suri from certain aspects of the religion. Court documents later revealed Cruise acknowledged Holmes’ concerns about Scientology as a factor in her decision to file for divorce. Holmes, who reportedly returned to her Roman Catholic faith, was granted sole custody of Suri, with Cruise retaining significant visitation rights.
The settlement also allows Holmes to keep valuable assets from the marriage, including jewelry and designer handbags gifted by Cruise, such as custom Hermes Birkin and Kelly bags and diamond earrings reportedly worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Despite forgoing spousal support, these items ensure Holmes retains considerable personal wealth.
The rapid settlement has been praised as a strategic move by Holmes, with former Scientologists and legal experts noting her careful navigation of the divorce process. “Katie’s been brilliant, absolutely brilliant,” said Mike Rinder, a former Scientology executive, highlighting her discretion in public statements. The agreement reportedly includes clauses restricting Holmes from publicly discussing Cruise or Scientology, a condition that has fueled speculation about the church’s influence on the settlement.
As Holmes and Suri begin a new chapter in New York City, and Cruise continues his blockbuster career, the divorce marks the end of a six-year marriage that began with a whirlwind romance in 2005 and a lavish Italian castle wedding in 2006. The couple’s focus remains on co-parenting Suri, with both expressing commitment to her happiness and stability.
Sources: TMZ, Huffington Post, The Hollywood Reporter, The Mirror, People