What Tiger Woods' Wife Could Do with a Divorce Settlement of $100 Million

Updated
Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren
Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren

There are shocking divorce settlements, then there's the expected divorce settlement between pro golfer Tiger Woods and his wife, Elin Nordegren.

Media reports around the world have bandied around a $750 million settlement for Woods' estranged wife and mother of their two children. This week, websites with supposed insider information have put the figure at an equally shocking, but somewhat more realistic $100 million.

It's a figure that is more in line with Forbesmagazine's claim that the settlement has to be a portion of Woods' estimated net worth of $600 million.

It's still a heap of money, considering the average American with a bachelor's degree or higher will earn $1.8 million over his or her lifetime, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

$100 Million May Not Go So Far

But considering the lifestyle Nordegren is used to, that possible $100 million may not go as far as you'd think. Editors of the Robb Report, a no-holds-barred magazine strictly for the ultra rich -- or those who don't mind spending $37 a year for 12 issues simply to see what the rich are into these days -- can certainly find ways to spend the money in no time.

In the report's "Best of the Best 2010," the super rich are presented the top-of-the-line vacations, cars, planes, and clothing and accessories. If you have to ask how much, then this is not for you.

Yes, Nordegren could sock away the supposed $100 million and simply live off a modest 5% interest, giving her $5 million a year to spend. But that won't even buy you a home in the Colorado ski town of Aspen, where an average home goes for $5.1 million. And that's an average home, not one anywhere near the ski slopes or upscale restaurants and boutiques.

Homes Will Eat up a Portion of Settlement

That $100 million won't go very far in other top-end markets in the U.S. either, let alone overseas. In Monte Carlo, a five-bedroom apartment in town costs $15 million. Real estate isn't much cheaper in Nordegren's native country of Sweden, which was rated the most expensive in the world by International Living magazine.

Nordegren, a former model, also must project the right image. Robb Report features a 165th anniversary A. Lange & Söhne watch for $171,800 or custom-designed jewelry from Sylva & Cie in Los Angeles where designs can top out at $50,000.

And how about getting around? Nordegren is used to flying around on Woods's personal jet. As the rich will tell you, once you've gotten a taste of flying private, going commercial just isn't an option. She could save money by leasing a jet instead of eating up half of her settlement for her own jet. Or she could simply buy a one-sixteenth stake in a Learjet 40XR for $560,000, plus a monthly management fee of $7,295 and an hourly rate of $1,825.

$1 Million Maybach May Lessen Pain

Fnally, Nordegren needs wheels, and no run-of-the-mill SUV like the one Woods crashed, setting off a downward spiral that included allegations of affairs by the top-ranked golfer, followed by rehab, a much-publicized hiatus from golf, and a not-so-stellar return.

Certainly a 2011 Maybach 62 can take the edge off with its twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V-12 engine and 19-inch hi-def television screen, onboard Wi-Fi and perfume atomizer.

Prices haven't been released, but considering this year's model ranged from $358,000 to $1.38 million, it's not going to be cheap, even to someone with $100 million or so to spend.

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