Lawsuit Filed by Ex-Spouse of Prominent Art Collector David Geffen over Alleged Contract Violation
In a shocking turn of events, entertainment mogul and art collector David Geffen is being sued by his estranged husband, Donovan Michaels, for breach of contract and abusive behavior. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleges that Geffen exploited Michaels for personal gratification and public image.
The relationship between Geffen and Michaels began in 2016, after meeting on SeekingArrangements.com, a dating site where wealthy individuals often seek younger partners with some form of compensation. On the night they met, Geffen allegedly paid Michaels $10,000 to have sex with him. They later married in 2023 without a prenuptial agreement, and Geffen filed for divorce in May 2025.
Michaels claims in the suit that Geffen promised him "lifelong" financial support but then "cut him off" and evicted him shortly after filing for divorce. The suit accuses Geffen of treating Michaels as a "living social experiment" and a "trophy" to show off to his wealthy friends. It compares their nine-year relationship to the movie "Trading Places," with Michaels portrayed as a young, vulnerable black man and Geffen as an exploiter.
Patricia Glaser, legal representation for Geffen, called the lawsuit "pathetic" and stated there is no contract between them. However, the suit has sparked a heated response from the public, with many expressing concern over the alleged abuse and exploitation.
Aside from the personal allegations, Geffen's art dealings have been involved in a legal dispute with crypto billionaire Justin Sun over the Alberto Giacometti sculpture, Le Nez. Sun filed his suit in February in New York, where the sculpture is located, and Geffen responded with a countersuit in April, describing Sun's case as a "sham." However, details on this specific dispute are not available from the sources used in this article.
Despite the ongoing legal issues, Geffen's contributions to the arts are undeniable. He has donated $100 million to Lincoln Center in 2015 and another $100 million to the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 2016. In 2017, he promised $150 million to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, which stands as the largest gift in the museum's history. Geffen is a regular member of the Top 200 Collectors list and has a collection valued at $2 billion.
Donovan Michaels, who was placed in the foster care system at 18 months, is 32 years old. Forbes estimates Geffen's net worth to be $9 billion. As the case unfolds, the public waits to see how these allegations will impact Geffen's image and career.
[1] Source: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Forbes, and court documents.
- Following the lawsuit, there has been a heated response from the public concerning the allegations of abuse and exploitation against David Geffen by his estranged husband, Donovan Michaels.
- Geffen's art dealings, particularly over the Alberto Giacometti sculpture, Le Nez, are also involved in a legal dispute with crypto billionaire Justin Sun.
- Despite the ongoing legal issues, Geffen's contributions to the art world are significant, with donations totaling $300 million to Lincoln Center, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
- Geffen's estranged husband, Donovan Michaels, who was placed in the foster care system at 18 months, is 32 years old, and Forbes estimates Geffen's net worth to be $9 billion.
- Geffen's art collection is valued at $2 billion and he regularly features in the Top 200 Collectors list, making him a prominent figure in the art world, but the allegations against him could potentially impact his image and career.
