Housework Pays Off BIG TIME: Spanish Woman’s Jaw-Dropping Settlement Revealed

Homemaker’s Salary
Compensation Received for Housework
Alimony After Divorce

A Spanish court rules that the ex-husband must compensate the ex-wife for housework performed during their marriage. The awarded amount is approximately $101,000.

A court in Pontevedra, Spain, has ordered a man to compensate his ex-wife for 26 years of housework performed during their marriage. The compensation amount is approximately $101,000 (€88,025).

The ex-wife took care of all household chores and raised their only daughter for 26 years, excluding only 205 days, until she filed for divorce in 2022.

After filing for divorce, the man remained in their original home while the woman had to find a new place to live.

Needing to support herself financially after the divorce, the woman argued that the division of marital contributions was unequal due to her 26 years as a homemaker. “While my ex-husband built a career, I haven’t been able to secure full-time employment, and my current pension is minimal. This creates a significant financial hardship for me.”

The woman demanded compensation for the housework she had performed up to this point.

In an initial decision in this uncommon case, the court mandated the husband to compensate his ex-wife €120,000 (approximately $137,000) for her contributions during the marriage. He contested this ruling, acknowledging the need for compensation but seeking a reduced amount of €60,000.

The ex-husband challenged the compensation amount, arguing for a more equitable distribution. “With our daughter now independent, her income can contribute to her financial needs,” he stated. “Since we both participated in the marriage, I believe a one-sided financial award isn’t fair. We both shared the responsibilities of our marriage.”

The court lowered the initial compensation of €120,000 to €88,025 and ordered the husband to pay his ex-wife €350 (about $400) per month in alimony for three years.

Such cases have become more common in Europe over the past few years. Last year, another Spanish court ordered a man to pay his former spouse €204,000 for 25 years of housework, and in 2021, a Portuguese man was ordered to pay his ex-spouse $72,000 for unpaid labor during their 30-year marriage.