John Cleese is furious after a court ruled he must hand his third wife a multi-million dollar pay out as part of their divorce settlement.
The actor has been ordered to give Alyce Faye Eichelberger $12 million (£8 million) in cash and assets - including a New York apartment, a London property, and a share in a beach house in California - on top of another $918,000 (£612,000) annually for the next seven years.
As a result, the 69-year-old star's overall wealth will total at around $15 million (£10 million).
Cleese is angry with the settlement - because it will make his former wife of 16 years, who he has no children with, wealthier than he is.
He says, "What I find so unfair is that if we both died today, her children would get much more than mine."
He was also able to poke fun at the ruling, adding, "At least I will know in future if I go out with a lady they will not be after me for my money."
Cleese's former wife had originally asked for even more cash, alleging her ex was a "world-renowned celebrity" who had allowed her to become accustomed to "being entertained by royalty and dignitairies in castles".
She demanded half his earnings since their 1992 wedding, half his properties and another $900,000 (£600,000) to live on every year.
But in March (09) a judge branded her demands "excessive", granting Cleese a discount by cutting his monthly payments from $153,000 (£102,000) to $82,000 (£55,000).
Legal forms to finalise the settlement were filed in a California court last week (begs 10Aug09)
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