Yet the payout, which includes $320 million by year-end and the rest by instalments of at least $7 million per month, is considered a good outcome given that his fortune was estimated to be $14 billion as of yesterday afternoon.

"This is a very positive outcome for Hamm, who owns more than 70% of Continental, as well as for the rest of Continental's shareholders, who may have been somewhat concerned that an adverse ruling could have forced him to sell enough shares to dilute his stake below 50%," Forbes reported.

"That was never a likely outcome, however; private bankers have been lining up to loan him whatever he needed.

"And so much for early speculation, roiling since papers were filed in 2012, that this could end up being the costliest divorce of all time, with a settlement of $3 billion or more. For now, that titled belongs to Russian ‘Fertilizer King' Dmitry Rybolovlev, who has been ordered to pay wife Elena $4.5 billion."

Reuters reported Sue Ann's legal team has claimed that Continental intervened in the divorce in Hamm's favour.