Gibson's wife could get millions in split

LOS ANGELES, April 14 (UPI) -- Mel Gibson's soon-to-be ex-wife may walk away from their 28-year marriage with hundreds of millions of dollars from the U.S. actor-director's fortune.

Robyn Gibson filed for divorce in Los Angeles Monday, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split. The couple have seven children together and reportedly have been separated for more than two years.

Under California law, Robyn Gibson is entitled to 50 percent of her husband's earnings during their marriage, People.com said, noting Mel Gibson's fortune is estimated to be nearly $1 billion.

"This could easily be one of the biggest divorce settlements in Hollywood history," Lynn Soodik, a Los Angeles family lawyer not involved with the Gibson divorce, told People.com. "Any attorney would advise her to take half."

The Gibson divorce could overshadow basketball star Michael Jordan's payout of $168 million in his 2006 split from his wife Juanita, People.com said.

Singer Neil Diamond also paid $150 million after his 1994 break-up with spouse Marcia Murphey and film director Steven Spielberg paid $100 million to his ex-wife Amy Irving in a 1989 settlement.

"(Gibson's) divorce will probably reach a settlement in a matter of months," Soodik predicted. "It likely won't be messy since there's enough money to go around."