Toxic Divorces We Thank Goodness We Weren't Part Of on Shine

<img alt="" src="http://a323.yahoofs.com/phugc/TOVtNPUkQx1w/photos/dd8b0fe39a7e3bdc410583bdec708738/mr_4e94232250c2bb.jpg?ug_____DUe.Ihg8s" width="400" align="left" height="260">Recession or not, there is much to be thankful for this holiday season. Most of us did not have to live through these — 2008’s most-talked-about, nastiest, dreariest divorces. These are the divorces that make the mightiest of us cringe, each coming complete with millions at stake, an army of lawyers and a troop of reporters covering every nuance. From Christie Brinkley and Peter Cook to Heather Mills and Paul McCartney, here are the seven most-talked-about divorces of 2008, plus 13 of the most memorable splits in history. Join us in thanking our lucky stars that the powers that be spared us from involvement in one of these divorces from heck. Christie Brinkley vs. Peter Cook (2008) Clearly the biggest, baddest divorce of the year on this side of the Atlantic, the trial between the supermodel and the architect ended in October 2008 after a media storm. During the trial Cook admitted to cheating on his wife with his 18-year-old assistant, spending $3,000 on porn sites and paying the young lady $300,000 in hush money. Mon Dieu. <img alt="" src="http://a323.yahoofs.com/phugc/2Ek9IwfowRW4/photos/c4f7a9c37983eff20485d74466b49e9f/mr_31604063518fde.jpg?ug_____DEtdqBM4c" width="278" align="center" height="400"> Paul McCartney vs. Heather Mills (2008) The biggest divorce of the year on the other side of the pond was also one of the most expensive ever. The estimated settlement: $49 million. Along the way, Mills unleashed a torrent of stories meant to destroy McCartney's image, but few believed that the former Beatle would act in such ignoble ways. So, Mills’s PR campaign backfired and she was portrayed as an unstable gold-digger. Ouch. <img alt="" src="http://a323.yahoofs.com/phugc/2Ek9IwfowRW4/photos/c44b2793b55428f4fefa1f65f3861fc3/mr_a808f8702bdb17.jpg?ug_____DFjhBTn.Y" width="400" align="center" height="316"> Madonna vs. Guy Ritchie (2008) Who hasn’t heard that Madonna and Guy Ritchie <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.wowowow.com/post/madonna-divorce-guy-ritchie-deal-settlement-guy-get-more-76-million-dollars-156541" target="_blank">filed for divorce</a>? While it’s not the messiest of splits, it has been one of the most-talked-about divorces of 2008. Guy Ritchie wants to live in England, Madonna wants New York. They have three children to think about. According to the Associated Press, the two have agreed on a divorce settlement. Madonna is reportedly paying Ritchie between 50 million and 60 million pounds (which is $76 million to $92 million, U.S. cash). The figure reportedly includes the couple’s country mansion in England (an abode we don’t foresee Madge wanting to live in anyway … it’s pretty far from New York Yankee slugger Alex Rodriguez.) From what we’re hearing, don’t be surprised to see the entire family together on Christmas. The kabbalah enthusiast will be flying to London, according to reports, for a “traditional family celebration.” <a rel="nofollow" title="Messy Divorces" target="_blank" href="http://www.wowowow.com/photo-essay/aniston-pitt-rodriguez-madonna-elizabeth-taylor-mccartney-celebrity-rich-divorces-153388">To see the rest of these messy divorces click here</a> <ul> <li style="font-family:inherit;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.wowowow.com/photo-essay/christie-brinkley-starter-husbands-first-marriage-celebrity-62191">Eight Starter Husband You Rarely Hear About</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.wowowow.com/photo-essay/jennifer-aniston-cougar-dating-52253">Cougars We Love</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.wowowow.com/post/christie-brinkleys-lawyer-divorce-and-down-turn-156450">Divorce and the Downturn</a></li> </ul> [Photo Credits: Flickr/Getty Images]