Dr. Dre’s Ex-Wife Wins a $100 Million Divorce Settlement

It has been a hard-fought battle, but Dr. Dre is finally divorced. He and his ex-wife have been together since 1996, shortly after his transition from Deathrow Records to founding Aftermath Entertainment. Their union produced their children, Truice and Truly, now adults. Before their marriage, Dre was controversial in the 80s and early 90s, and he frequented the news for his violent rages against his female companions and colleagues. However, throughout the years during their marriage, it seemed as if it was all success and little to no negative news–until 2020 when the two split.

A Tumultuous Process

Nicole Plotzker-Young filed for divorce in June 2020, officially citing irreconcilable differences. Daily Mail referenced court documents filed by Mrs. Young in November 2020, which alleged that Andre ‘Dr. Dre’ Young was abusive and committed “rampant and repeated marital misconduct.” Furthermore, although there was a prenuptial agreement, Mrs. Young claimed that she signed it under duress, and Dre later destroyed the document as a “romantic gesture.” Mr. Young’s representation, Laura Wasser of the King Law Firm, denied these allegations. According to Mrs. Young, Laura Wesser served as the Young family lawyer since the couple was engaged in 1996. Samantha Spector and Lisa Helfend Meyer, Mrs. Young’s attorneys, later requested to remove Wesser from Dr. Dre’s legal team because of the conflict of interest.

Nicole Young’s declaration title page. Source: Daily Mail.

In January 2021, Dr. Dre suffered a brain aneurysm and was hospitalized. Things worsened for him when criminals burglarized his home during his hospital stay.  And shortly after his release, a judge ordered him to pay 2 million dollars a month in temporary spousal support.

In October 2021, he received additional divorce papers at his grandmother’s funeral. Later that month, a judge declared that Dr. Dre and Mrs. Young were legally single, although the divorce was not final.

Dre’s Final Divorce Order

In the final order, Dr. Dre retained stock investments, proceeds from his Beats by Dre enterprise, rights to his music, real estate property, and six vehicles. Mrs. Young received four cars, clothing, jewelry, other accessories, and a settlement of 100.2 million dollars. Dr. Dre will split the large sum into two 50 million dollar payments, the first taking place this month and another next year, which will negate any continuation of spousal support or compensation for legal fees. The final proceedings ended their 25-year relationship on December 28th.

By Alicia Hughley