The $9 Billion Split: Everything To Know About David Geffen's Ex-Husband And The Prenup-Free Divorce Battle

The question of "Who is David Geffen's husband?" has a very complicated and expensive answer right now, as of December 2025. The iconic music and film mogul, David Geffen, is not currently married, having recently finalized or being in the final stages of a highly publicized and contentious divorce from his husband, David Armstrong, who is also known professionally as Donovan Michaels. This short-lived, high-asset marriage has become a cautionary tale in the world of celebrity finance, primarily due to one shocking detail: the lack of a prenuptial agreement.

The billionaire's split from his much-younger partner has dominated headlines, highlighting a dramatic age gap, a whirlwind romance, and a messy legal battle over spousal support. The proceedings, which saw a judge rule on the termination of the marriage in late 2025, have put Geffen's estimated $9.1 billion fortune under the microscope, proving that even the most powerful figures in Hollywood can make a costly mistake in love.

The Mogul: David Geffen's Complete Profile and Relationship History

David Lawrence Geffen is one of the most influential and successful figures in the American entertainment industry, with a career spanning over five decades and encompassing music, film, and art. His personal life has been as high-profile as his professional endeavors, featuring relationships with some of the biggest names in Hollywood.

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• Full Name: David Lawrence Geffen
• Born: February 21, 1943 (Age 82 as of late 2025)
• Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York
• Net Worth: Estimated at US$9.1 billion (as of 2025), making him the wealthiest person in the global entertainment industry.
• Key Career Highlights:
  • Co-founded Asylum Records (1971), home to artists like The Eagles and Joni Mitchell.
  • Founded Geffen Records (1980), signing acts like Guns N' Roses and Nirvana.
  • Co-founded DreamWorks SKG (1994) with Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg.
  • A renowned art collector and philanthropist.
• High-Profile Relationships: Before publicly coming out as gay in 1992, Geffen had high-profile romantic relationships with women, including singer Cher (1974-1975) and actress Marlo Thomas (1996). He also dated actor Steve Antin.

Geffen's immense wealth stems from the sale of his companies, including the massive 2004 sale of Geffen Records to Universal and the 2006 deal involving DreamWorks. This financial empire is now the central point of his recent divorce proceedings.

Who Is David Armstrong (Donovan Michaels)? The Ex-Husband's Profile

David Armstrong, who is known professionally as Donovan Michaels, is the estranged husband of David Geffen. Their relationship, which began when Armstrong was Geffen's personal trainer, was characterized by a significant age difference of 50 years.

• Name(s): David Armstrong (birth name), Donovan Michaels (professional name). He has also been referred to as Brandon Foster.
• Age: 32 (as of late 2025).
• Profession: Personal trainer, model, dancer, and fitness instructor.
• Marriage Date: March 2023.
• Duration of Marriage: Less than two years.

Armstrong and Geffen married in a private ceremony in March 2023. The relationship was not only a personal union but also a convergence of two vastly different worlds—the entertainment mogul and the younger fitness professional. The marriage was short-lived, however, with Geffen filing for divorce in May 2025, citing "irreconcilable differences."

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The Shocking Financial Fallout: Why the Prenup-Free Split Is Making History

The core of the legal drama surrounding the separation of David Geffen and David Armstrong is the absence of a prenuptial agreement. For an ultra-high-net-worth individual like Geffen, whose fortune is estimated at over $9 billion, skipping a prenup is a legal risk that has now materialized into a major financial battle.

The $50,000 Per Month Spousal Support Request

The most sensational detail of the divorce is David Armstrong's request for spousal support. Court documents revealed that Armstrong is seeking a substantial monthly payment from the billionaire.

Armstrong's legal team is reportedly seeking $50,000 per month in spousal support. While $50K per month might seem like a fortune to the average person, Armstrong's legal filings suggest this amount is necessary to maintain the standard of living he became accustomed to during his marriage to the billionaire.

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For a marriage that lasted less than two years, this request is considered extremely high and has led to a contentious legal skirmish. The case serves as a stark reminder of the financial consequences when high-net-worth couples do not secure their assets with a prenuptial agreement before marriage.

The 'No Prenup' Controversy and Hidden Assets

The decision by David Geffen, a man known for his shrewd business acumen, to forgo a prenuptial agreement with David Armstrong has baffled legal and financial experts. In California, where the divorce was filed, assets and income acquired during the marriage are generally considered community property, which can complicate the division of wealth even in a short marriage.

The divorce has escalated with accusations of hidden assets and a struggle over the division of property acquired during their brief union. The legal battle is not just about the monthly support payment; it's about the potential division of a portion of Geffen's income and assets accumulated during the marriage, a figure that could still be in the tens of millions due to his enormous wealth and continuous business dealings.

As the legal proceedings moved toward their conclusion in late 2025, with the marriage officially terminated, the final settlement amount remains a closely watched figure. Legal observers suggest that while Armstrong may not receive a massive percentage of the $9.1 billion fortune, a short period of substantial spousal support and a division of marital income are almost certain.

LSI Keywords and Entities for Topical Authority

The David Geffen divorce saga is rich with entities crucial to understanding the full scope of the story:

• Key Figures: David Geffen, David Armstrong, Donovan Michaels, Cher, Marlo Thomas, Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg.
• Business Empires: DreamWorks SKG, Asylum Records, Geffen Records, Universal Music Group.
• Financial/Legal Terms: Prenuptial Agreement, Spousal Support, High-Asset Divorce, Community Property, Net Worth, Irreconcilable Differences.
• Properties/Assets: Art Collection, Malibu Estate, Yacht (Rising Sun).