Entertainment titan David Geffen, 82, is navigating one of the most expensive divorces in recent Hollywood memory. The billionaire, whose net worth hovers around $8.7 to $9.1 billion, is locked in a contentious split from his much younger estranged husband, David Andrew Armstrong, 32, also known as Donovan Michaels. With no prenuptial agreement in place, the financial fallout could be massive.
Michaels was reportedly a go-go dancer, personal trainer, and model who also worked as a party promoter and dancer in Florida under the name Brandon Foster before meeting Geffen. He met Geffen in 2020 when he was working as a personal trainer for the music exec.
It’s Getting Messy
Michaels sued Geffen in July for allegedly breaking a promise of “lifelong support” amid their divorce. Michaels claims Geffen committed breach of oral and implied contract by cutting him off financially and evicting him after their April 2025 separation. The pair, who married in March 2023 without a prenuptial agreement, had been together less than two years when Geffen filed for divorce in May citing irreconcilable differences.
Court filings show Geffen has already spent major money since the couple’s February 2025 separation. He reportedly gave Armstrong $200,000 in cash, covered nearly $200,000 for rehab, and let him to stay rent-free in a $15,000-per-month Manhattan apartment. On top of this, Armstrong is said to still have $5 million worth of art, jewelry, and watches gifted during their relationship.
Now, Geffen wants to limit ongoing financial obligations. His legal team, led by powerhouse attorney Laura Wasser, has proposed spousal support of $50,000 per month. But this would be for only for 12 months. Geffen also wants credit for what he has already paid out.
Armstrong, 32, paints a different picture. In a civil lawsuit, he claims Geffen promised lifelong financial support and an equal share of assets. The former dancer and fitness trainer argues he gave up career opportunities and independence based on those assurances. The suit also alleges that their relationship began through a sugar-dating platform, intensifying the narrative that money has always been at the center of their dynamic.
Forbes reports that Geffen’s fortune comes from decades of successful ventures, from founding Asylum and Geffen Records to co-founding DreamWorks. His investments spanning entertainment, art, and real estate, have made him one of the wealthiest figures in Hollywood.
Legal experts suggest Armstrong’s chances of tapping into Geffen’s core fortune are not very likely. California law generally views assets acquired before marriage as separate property. Geffen retired long before their 2023 wedding. Still, the lack of a prenup may give Armstrong some leverage in negotiating a settlement.
