Mel Gibson responds to wife's divorce petition

Mel Gibson faces a $500m divorce settlement after opposing a pre-nuptial agreement 28 years ago. Photo / AP

Actor Mel Gibson has responded to the divorce petition filed by his wife Robyn, according to reports.

Robyn Gibson, who has been married to the star for the past 28 years, filed for divorce last week - citing irreconcilable differences.

View Robyn's divorce petition papers here (pdf)

And now Gibson has fired back with his own papers which declare that the couple officially split on August 26, 2006, and also cites "irreconcilable differences" as the reason behind their relationship downfall.

View Mel's divorce papers here (pdf)

The estranged couple released a statement to the press earlier, saying, "Throughout our marriage and separation we have always strived to maintain the privacy and integrity of our family and will continue to do so."

Fight for fortune

Speculation is rife that the pair didn't have a pre-nuptial agreement, so Mrs Gibson could be heading for a sizeable slice of Gibson's estimated US$900 million fortune.

Under Californian law, Robyn, 53, is entitled to half of his stash.

According to etonline.com, the What Women Want star filed his own papers on Monday (Tuesday NZT) and is asking to halt the court's ability to award spousal support to either party, as well as joint and legal custody of their youngest son, Thomas, 10.

The couple has seven children: Hannah, twins Edward and Christian, William, Louis, Milo and Thomas.

Mystery woman

Meanwhile...Radaronline.com has published photos supposedly of former Hollywood hunk Mel with a mystery woman in Costa Rica back in March.

Wooden spoon firmly in hand, the website reports that the "Oscar-winning actor became close to raven-haired Russian musician Oksana" while on the set of his most recent film.

"Mel sort of took hold of her and she came willingly into his arms. They put their arms around each other and kissed pretty passionately for about four or five seconds," a snitch told Radar.

According to the same report, his sons, their girlfriends and other guests were all on hand during the trip. Asked at the time if he and Robyn had split, his rep reportedly had no comment.

"Mel is on family vacation with his entire family and their friends," a snitch told Us magazine. "His sons are there with their girlfriends, his pregnant daughter is there - the whole family is there."

Tongues are wagging that the photos of what purportedly shows Gibson cavorting on the beach with Oksana were the final nail in the coffin for wife Robyn. But that's unlikely to be the reason for the divorce.

As Gibson's filed response points out, the couple has been separated for three years. In fact, the two went their separate ways shortly after Gibson's DUI arrest in Malibu in 2006 - a drunken roadside pull-up now legendary after the actor reportedly spewed out a series of anti-Semitic remarks. An incident which undoubtedly put a strain on his marriage.


"The incident definitely took a toll on his marriage," a snitch tells the Mail Online.

"Robyn was humiliated by the fallout from that incident, as was his entire family."

Gibson later apologised for his "belligerent behaviour" that led to his arrest.

"I acted like a person completely out of control when I was arrested and said things that I do not believe to be true and which are despicable," he added.

So we're looking at what could be the biggest celebrity divorce settlement ever.

While we wait for more details to emerge, here's a peek at the ten most expensive celebrity divorces of all time, according to Forbes.com:

10. Mick Jagger & Jerry Hall. Estimated settlement: US$15 to $25 million

9. Lionel & Diane Richie. Estimated settlement: US$20 million

8. Michael & Diandra Douglas. Estimated settlement: US$45 million

7. James Cameron & Linda Hamilton. Estimated settlement: US$50 million

6. Paul McCartney & Heather Mills. Estimated settlement: Reportedly more than US$60 million

5. Kevin Costner & Cindy Silva. Estimated settlement: US$80 million

4. Harrison Ford & Melissa Mathison. Estimated settlement: US$85 million

3. Steven Spielberg & Amy Irving. Estimated settlement: US$100 million

2. Neil Diamond & Marcia Murphey. Estimated settlement: US$150 million

1. Michael & Juanita Jordan. Estimated settlement: Reportedly more than US$150 million

Everyone's talking about...

Britain's Got Talent contestant Susan Boyle. The 48-year-old Scot appeared on the UK talent show last week and gave a remarkable performance - before an audience which had initially mocked her.

Click here to view her amazing performance.

We suppose that'll teach us all to never judge a book by its cover.

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Pictured: Mel Gibson. Photo / AP