Billionaire entertainment mogul David Geffen is now facing a splashy civil suit from estranged husband Donovan Michaels, lodged only weeks after Geffen filed for divorce in Los Angeles.
According to Rolling Stone, the 33-page complaint states that Geffen promised “lifelong” financial support, then abruptly cut Michaels off and ordered him out of their New York home, despite the absence of any written prenuptial agreement.
According to the suit, the pair first connected on SeekingArrangement.com in 2016, when Geffen was 73 and Michaels was 23. What began as a paid encounter allegedly evolved into a globe-trotting romance that culminated in their March 2023 wedding.
Michaels claims he abandoned his modeling career to serve as Geffen’s “full‑time travel companion, homemaker, health adviser, caretaker, and life partner” after the mogul pledged lifetime security. Michaels also says Geffen gifted him art and a multimillion‑dollar watch, yet “regularly bragged” about having rescued a foster‑care survivor.
Inside Geffen’s reported $8 billion orbit, Michaels alleges strict control over his wardrobe, reading list, speech, and movements, along with pressure to join drug‑fueled parties aboard the 450‑foot super‑yacht Rising Sun. He also portrays the relationship as transactional from start to finish.
The complaint states that matters came to a head on June 24. While Geffen attended Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s wedding in Venice, an aide allegedly instructed Michaels to vacate the Manhattan residence and cut off his access to joint funds.
Michaels now seeks lifetime living expenses, a permanent home that Geffen cannot reclaim, an accounting of property accumulated during their relationship, and other damages for what he calls systemic exploitation.
Geffen’s attorney Patty Glaser calls the suit “false and pathetic,” per Billboard, and insists no oral or written contract ever existed. Divorce lawyer Laura Wasser’s earlier petition noted the lack of a prenup but said Geffen is willing to pay standard California spousal support, typically capped at half the marriage’s length.
