David Geffen has been sued by his estranged husband for allegedly failing to provide promised “lifelong support,” according to a People report citing court documents.
Donovan Michaels, 32, filed the breach of contract lawsuit against the 82-year-old record executive after Geffen filed for divorce in May following less than two years of marriage.
The lawsuit claims Geffen promised to provide financial support for Michaels’ entire lifetime as part of their relationship agreement.
Geffen, who built his fortune through Asylum Records and Geffen Records, filed divorce proceedings earlier this year. The couple’s marriage lasted approximately 20 months.
“The former record executive has significant assets and business interests spanning the music and entertainment industries.”
Michaels’ legal team argues that specific commitments were made regarding ongoing financial arrangements.
The 50-year age gap between the couple has drawn significant media attention since their relationship became public. Geffen previously founded major record labels that launched careers of artists including Eagles, Joni Mitchell, and Nirvana.
Court documents indicate the case involves substantial financial claims related to the alleged support agreement.
Neither party’s representatives have provided detailed public statements regarding the specific terms being disputed in the litigation.
The divorce proceedings and breach of contract lawsuit are being handled separately in California courts. Both cases involve significant financial considerations given Geffen’s estimated net worth and entertainment industry holdings.
Legal experts note that such cases often involve complex agreements between parties with substantial wealth disparities.
The entertainment mogul’s business empire includes interests in music publishing, film production, and real estate investments accumulated over several decades in the industry.
