Mike Tyson, known for his extravagant lifestyle and as one of the greatest boxers of all time, reportedly splurged $2.2 million on a unique gift for his ex-wife just a year before their divorce. Tyson’s illustrious career spanned from 1985 to 2005, but outside the ring, his personal life was just as eventful, including three marriages.
In 1988, Tyson married American actress Robin Givens. The marriage, however, was short-lived, ending in divorce the following year after a highly publicized joint interview in which Givens described Tyson as having a “volatile temper” and admitted to being “very, very much afraid” of him. Tyson, in turn, accused Givens of trying to “steal” his possessions among other accusations.
One of the most extravagant gifts Tyson reportedly bought for Givens during their tumultuous marriage was a 24-carat gold bathtub, valued at an astounding $2.2 million. While it might seem incredible that a bathtub could be worth such a fortune, Tyson managed to resell it, though at a significant loss. The gold bathtub was allegedly purchased by billionaire Derwood Hodgegrass in 2013 for $1.2 million. However, there were questions about whether the bathtub actually belonged to Tyson.
Hodgegrass, when asked about his purchase, commented, “Oh, it’s just a lark. Aside from the bathtubs of Marat and Jim Morrison, I’d venture to say few bathtubs have this kind of provenance. I picked it up at nearly half the cost, and gold is more valuable today.”
Reports suggest Tyson bought the lavish bathtub as a Christmas gift for Givens, only for their marriage to dissolve the following year. Reflecting on his past extravagance, Tyson now expresses a different attitude towards money, saying, “I’m not even interested in being that person again. I don’t want to be that flashy guy with the flashy houses.”
Tyson is preparing for a return to the boxing ring later this year against Jake Paul, a match set to be streamed on Netflix. The fight, initially scheduled for July, was postponed indefinitely due to Tyson suffering an ulcer flare-up during a flight. The bout is now set for November 15 in Arlington, Texas. Former UFC star Henry Cejudo has claimed Tyson is expected to earn “close to about $20 million” from the fight, which will be Tyson’s second fight since his retirement in 2005
