Mel Gibson’s wife files for divorce in LA

Hurriyet Daily News with wires

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Actor Mel Gibson's wife of 28 years filed for divorce Monday, citing irreconcilable differences.

Robyn Gibson filed the petition, which offers no details on the split, in Los Angeles Superior Court. The couple has seven children, but only one under the age of 18. Robyn Gibson has requested joint custody of their youngest son, who turns 10 on Tuesday.

Details of how the couple's assets will be divided were not spelled out in the court filings. Robyn Gibson is seeking jewelry and earnings and assets she accrued after the couple separated, and a share of the money and assets Gibson, 53, has earned during his nearly three decades as a Hollywood hit-maker. She wants the actor-director to pay spousal support and her attorney fees.

Privacy of the family
Mel Gibson filed a response to the divorce within four hours of his wife's filing, stating that the couple separated in late August 2006. He does not want to pay spousal support and is requesting that attorney fees be paid out of the couple's joint property, the documents show.

The Gibsons released a joint statement Monday, requesting privacy. "Throughout our marriage and separation, we have always strived to maintain the privacy and integrity of our family and will continue to do so," the statement read.

The couple was married in June 1980, court records show. The two met in Australia when Gibson was an unknown actor and his future wife was working as a dental assistant.

Oscar winner Gibson had his film debut in the late 1970s. The 1979 movie "Mad Max" first brought him international attention, while "Tim," released the same year, garnered him an award for best actor from the Australian Film Institute (equivalent to an Oscar). These films were closely followed in 1981 by the critically acclaimed war movie "Gallipoli" and the Mad Max sequel "The Road Warrior."

In 1984, Gibson made his American debut in "The Bounty," which co-starred Anthony Hopkins. The Australian star has gone on to mix of crowd-pleasing shoot-'em-ups - the "Lethal Weapon" franchise, in which he played Martin Riggs, became his signature series - with more serious fare, establishing himself as a director as well as an actor. The 1995 film "Braveheart" earned Gibson two Oscars, for best picture and best director. He also produced and directed the 2004 blockbuster "The Passion of the Christ."

Most expensive divorce
Gibson's marriage has been under strain ever since the actor was arrested for driving under the influence in 2006 and the anti-Semitic remarks he made to police officers during the incident hit the news.

Since then, he has hosted Britney Spears at his home in Costa Rica, and continued his acting career, keeping a low profile and appearing in a handful of cameo roles on television and in films. His last film as a director was the 2006 Mayan epic "Apocalypto." He stars in "Edge of Darkness," scheduled for release later this year.

Any divorce settlement could be one of the most expensive in Hollywood history, with Gibson's fortune estimated at around $900 million. Under California law, community property and earnings are divided 50/50 in divorce cases where there is no pre-nuptial agreement.