Billionaire David Geffen files for divorce from former male go-go dancer David Armstrong with no prenup

Billionaire entertainment titan David Geffen has broken up with his husband, David Armstrong, also known as Donovan Michaels, a former go-go dancer. They were together for almost two years.

David Geffen, 82, wed Armstrong, 32, without a prenuptial contract. The age difference and absence of legal safeguards have made headlines. Geffen cited irreconcilable differences in his divorce filing.

Despite Geffen's worth of approximately $8.7 billion, Armstrong stands little chance of getting a huge monetary payout. Under California law, assets acquired prior to marriage are safeguarded. Therefore, Armstrong will not gain access to most of Geffen's fortune.

Why did David Geffen file for divorce?

Geffen petitioned for divorce from Armstrong in May 2025. He cited "irreconcilable differences" as the grounds. This is a standard legal term applied to most divorce petitions.

David Geffen reportedly hired celebrity divorce lawyer Laura Wasser to represent him. She has represented other high-profile clients. This indicates that Geffen is serious about the case.

There were no indications of significant conflict between the couple publicly. But sources indicate there were personal problems with the marriage. The filing came just ahead of the couple's two-year anniversary.

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How will the divorce affect Armstrong financially?

In California, support is usually paid for half the duration of the marriage. As they were married for one year and eleven months, Armstrong will be paid for approximately one year.

David Geffen will also cover Armstrong's legal expenses. It's a standard situation in divorces in which a partner makes significantly more than the other. But the details of how much support Armstrong will get have not been divulged.

Since there was no prenuptial agreement, some may anticipate that Armstrong would receive a large settlement. However, California law preserves property earned prior to marriage. Geffen's premarital stocks, dividends, and other assets will be his.

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What does the law say about dividing assets?

Assets acquired prior to marriage in California qualify as separate property. That is, they remain unshared during divorce. The only assets that are divided among both spouses are those acquired during marriage.

David Geffen's wealth is comprised primarily of investments and shares. These were bought years earlier prior to their marriage. Those are his separate property. Armstrong has no claim to them in court.

Although no prenup existed, the law does safeguard pre-marriage money. If Geffen had made a substantial new fortune while married, that could be divided. Most of his money, however, remained invested in prior ventures.

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David Geffen's split with David Armstrong is newsworthy based on the difference in age, their failure to sign a prenuptial agreement, and the level of wealth on Geffen's side. But California law means that most of Geffen's money will go unscathed by the divorce.

Armstrong will get minimal spousal support and payment for legal costs, but not a big settlement. This case illustrates just how valuable legal safeguards such as prenups are, particularly in high-net-worth marriages.

Despite the publicity, both sides seem to be dealing with the divorce discreetly. The outcome will probably be close to California law, with no big surprises in sight.

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