R&D on monogamy gene needed more than space travel
Monitoring that monogamy gene shouldn’t be a very Amazonian task if quirky billionaires step up efforts.
By ET Bureau |
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As 2018 closed with mega weddings and 2019 has opened with a divorce of Amazonian proportions, it is timely that scientists have recently discovered 24 genes that ensure monogamy in species — though their research unfortunately did not include humans.
It is heartening to learn that all furry, feathery and scaly creatures went through the same evolutionary pattern over 450 million years that created (or omitted) their predisposition to monogamy.
Splitsville: High-Profile Divorces That Shook The Business World
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Goodbyes are hard. For the rich and famous, calling it quits with the partner is tragic, and can also make a dent in the pocket as well.
Recent times have seen some shocking and unexpected divorces which created headlines for days, even weeks.
Here's a round-up of 8 such high-profile divorces that came out of nowhere.
Goodbyes are hard. For the rich and famous, calling it quits with the partner is tragic, and can also make a dent in the pocket as well.
Recent times have seen some shocking and unexpected divorces ..
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Amazon boss Jeff Bezos and his wife of 25 years, MacKenzie, splitting up has sent shockwaves. The relationship that began at a New York hedge fund is coming to an end after 25 years. The world is still coming to terms with the fact that this happened a little over a year after Bezos became the world's richest man. The split, however, has caused investors to worry over Bezos's control on Amazon.
If the Amazon fortune is split equally, MacKenzie will become the world's richest lady with $69 billion. This update came hours before a tabloid newspaper tweeted that they planned on exposing the split. The tabloids later reported that Bezos had been in a relationship with former TV anchor and helicopter pilot Lauren Sanchez. Sanchez is also the wife of Hollywood star Patrick Whitesell.
Amazon boss Jeff Bezos and his wife of 25 years, MacKenzie, splitting up has sent shockwaves. The relationship that began at a New York hedge fund is coming to an end after 25 years. The world is s..
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Former movie mogul Harvey Weinstein was married to fashion designer Georgina Chapman for a whole decade. After actresses and women performers accused the media magnate of sexual harassment in 2017, triggering the #MeToo movement, it was splitsville for the couple. The two split up in January 2018 after 10 years of marriage and agreed on an eight-figure deal. The settlement which was signed end of last year, has an estimated worth of $15-$20 million.
As per the prenup, Weinstein was supposed to pay Chapman $300,000 for spousal support every year. After a decade, the sum is supposed to be hiked to $400,000. The two hold a $15 million New York townhouse and a $12 million beach house in Hamptons. Together they have two children, seven and four.
Former movie mogul Harvey Weinstein was married to fashion designer Georgina Chapman for a whole decade. After actresses and women performers accused the media magnate of sexual harassment in 2017,..
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Tesla and SpaceX boss Elon Musk met his first wife, Justine Wilson, at the Queen's University in Ontario. A Canadian novelist, Wilson said that Musk gave her his credit card to buy as many books as she wants in order to woo her. The two tied the knot in 2000, moved to Los Angeles and had a son named Nevada who they lost to SIDS. Later, they had twins and triplets, 5 sons in total. The couple parted ways in 2008. Wilson kept her ex-husband's last name though for the sake of her kids.
The tech mogul started dating actress Talulah Riley and tied the knot with her in 2010. Two years later, the news of their divorce became public when Musk tweeted "It was an amazing four years. I will love you forever. You will make someone very happy one day." The two remarried in 2013. Musk then filed for and withdrew a second divorce in 2014. Riley then filed for a divorce in 2016 which was finalised by the end of the same year. The two are reportedly still on good terms.
Tesla and SpaceX boss Elon Musk met his first wife, Justine Wilson, at the Queen's University in Ontario. A Canadian novelist, Wilson said that Musk gave her his credit card to buy as many books as..
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Former chairman of General Electric Jack Welch lost a whopping $180 million after his divorce to Jane Beasley. The couple had exchanged vows in April 1989 and split up after 14 years in 2003 in a nasty and costly divorce. The Welch-Beasley divorce was an example of how the rich couples part ways.
Despite Welch's efforts to keep things in private, Beasley filed an affidavit outlining the lavish standard of living of the couple.
Former chairman of General Electric Jack Welch lost a whopping $180 million after his divorce to Jane Beasley. The couple had exchanged vows in April 1989 and split up after 14 years in 2003 in a n..
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It is rightly said, time can never define how much you know about a person. This was relevant in the case of Hidesign's Dilip Kapur and his German wife Jacqueline who separated after being together for 27 years. Jacqueline, however, said that it happened due to a third person. The former Mrs Kapur revealed that she ended her marriage when she found out that her husband was dating a 24-year-old. The couple currently lead separate lives in Auroville, Puducherry. The place is home to the Hidesign headquarters and other properties of Kapur.
It is rightly said, time can never define how much you know about a person. This was relevant in the case of Hidesign's Dilip Kapur and his German wife Jacqueline who separated after being together..
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Actor and hotelier Vikram Chatwal's wedding with model Priya Sachdev was a 10-day affair and was spread over three cities in the country. The lavish affair was attended by 600 guests from 26 countries who were brought to the occasion in chartered planes. The two tied the knot in February 2006 and parted ways in 2011.
Chatwal was often referred to as New York's playboy, and was rumoured to be dating Lindsay Lohan when the divorce happened. Chatwal and Sachdev together have a daughter named Safira and continue to spend time together. Sachdev is now married to industrialist Sunjay Kapur and Chatwal is gearing up to get back to his acting career.
Actor and hotelier Vikram Chatwal's wedding with model Priya Sachdev was a 10-day affair and was spread over three cities in the country. The lavish affair was attended by 600 guests from 26 countr..
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Sunjay Kapur, chairman of auto parts company Sona Group, got married for the third time in 2017 to Priya Sachdev. This also marked Sachdev's second trip down the aisle. Kapur was earlier married to fashion designer Nandita Mahtani, and then actress Karisma Kapoor with whom he has two children.
The Sona Group boss had announced his marriage to Kapoor, just ten days after splitting from Mahtani. The two parted ways after thirteen years.
Sunjay Kapur, chairman of auto parts company Sona Group, got married for the third time in 2017 to Priya Sachdev. This also marked Sachdev's second trip down the aisle. Kapur was earlier married to..
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The Mafatlal family has made headlines for their real estate and artwork controversy for years. Amid all this, a divorce too, took place in the family - that of Atulya Mafatlal (L) and Payal Girdharlal. Mafatlal married Sheetal (R) later and his ex-wife, Girdharilal, moved on to rebuild her life. Her son Varun, is said to be close to his step-mother Sheetal.
The Mafatlal family has made headlines for their real estate and artwork controversy for years. Amid all this, a divorce too, took place in the family - that of Atulya Mafatlal (L) and Payal Girdha..
That has led scientists to ascertain why prairie voles are monogamous but meadow voles are love rats, for example. Human beings do not resemble each other (as other animals belonging to the same species do), but as recent events emphasise once again, it is impossible to figure out who is likely to turn out to be a commitmentphobe or cheat on a long-time partner.
Interestingly, a Swedish study a decade ago revealed that variations in the coding of the gene RS3 334 for receptors of the hormone vasopressin in heterosexual humans could determine whether men are Casanovas or devoted partners.
Given that quirky billionaires are spearheading cutting-edge research today, bankrolling a programme to identify and examine a monogamy gene in humans would probably be more widely appreciated than private space travel. At least, it could mean more prenuptial agreements than divorce settlements.
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Rupert Murdoch, Bernie Ecclestone: Most Expensive Divorce Settlements
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Plenty of celebrities have been on the wrong end of a costly divorce settlement. Though each of those settlements were worth tens of millions of dollars, they pale in comparison to the most expensive divorce settlements of all time.
(On the left, Rupert Murdoch and on the right, Bernie Ecclestone)
Plenty of celebrities have been on the wrong end of a costly divorce settlement. Though each of those settlements were worth tens of millions of dollars, they pale in comparison to the most expensive..
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When: 1999
Settlement: $1.7 billion
Media mogul Rupert Murdoch and journalist Maria Torv were married for 31 years and have three children together. But the couple had diverging plans for when Murdoch would retire, and they agreed to an “amicable separation” in 1998. Details of the separation are sparse, but Torv is rumoured to have received $1.7 billion. Both parties seemed to have moved on quickly: Murdoch married Wendi Deng 17 days after the divorce, while Torv married William Mann six months after.
When: 1999
Settlement: $1.7 billion
Media mogul Rupert Murdoch and journalist Maria Torv were married for 31 years and have three children together. But the couple had diverging plans for when Murdoc..
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When: 2009
Settlement: $1.2 billion
Formula One executive Bernie Ecclestone, one of the richest people in the United Kingdom, divorced Croatian model Slavica Radic in 2009. The settlement was estimated at $1.2 billion, and although the details aren’t completely clear, there appears to be an unusual twist — Radic seems to be the one paying Ecclestone.
When: 2009
Settlement: $1.2 billion
Formula One executive Bernie Ecclestone, one of the richest people in the United Kingdom, divorced Croatian model Slavica Radic in 2009. The settlement was estimat..
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When: 1999
Settlement: $3.8 billion
The costliest known divorce occurred in 1999, when French-American businessman and art dealer Alec Wildenstein divorced his wife of 21 years, Jocelyn Wildenstein. The high-profile divorce proceedings resulted in Jocelyn being awarded $2.5 billion and $100 million for each of the next 13 years, for a total of $3.8 billion.
When: 1999
Settlement: $3.8 billion
The costliest known divorce occurred in 1999, when French-American businessman and art dealer Alec Wildenstein divorced his wife of 21 years, Jocelyn Wildenstein. ..
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When: 2010
Settlement: $1 billion
Las Vegas casino bigwigs Steve and Elaine Wynn were married to each other not once but twice, from 1963 to 1986 and from 1991 to 2010. Their second divorce is said to be one of the most expensive of all time. The settlement is estimated at $1 billion.
When: 2010
Settlement: $1 billion
Las Vegas casino bigwigs Steve and Elaine Wynn were married to each other not once but twice, from 1963 to 1986 and from 1991 to 2010. Their second divorce is said t..
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When: 2014
Settlement: $604 million
Elena Rybolovlev filed for divorce from Russian businessman Dmitry Rybolovlev and cited his “serial infidelity”, saying he used to “share his young conquests with his friends, and other oligarchs”. The courts initially awarded Elena $4.5 billion in the settlement in 2014, but after an appeal, she walked away with $604 million.
When: 2014
Settlement: $604 million
Elena Rybolovlev filed for divorce from Russian businessman Dmitry Rybolovlev and cited his “serial infidelity”, saying he used to “share his young conquests with ..
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When: 1997
Settlement: $460 million
Cellphone industry pioneer Craig McCaw and newspaper publisher Wendy McCaw amicably divorced in 1997, with the settlement estimated to exceed $460 million in Nextel stock.
When: 1997
Settlement: $460 million
Cellphone industry pioneer Craig McCaw and newspaper publisher Wendy McCaw amicably divorced in 1997, with the settlement estimated to exceed $460 million in Nexte..
