Former Spice Girl Mel B has successfully obtained an increase in her child support payments from Eddie Murphy, the father of her daughter Angel. The 61-year-old actor has been ordered to pay a monthly sum of $61,000 to the 47-year-old singer. The court decision comes after Mel B filed papers in 2020, citing a significant reduction in her income.
Prior to this ruling, Murphy had been paying $44,000 each month. However, with Mel B’s income being greatly affected, she requested a modification in child support. Brown’s lawyers highlighted her dwindling earnings, stating that she had enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle for herself and Angel until recently.
The court documents state that Murphy, considered an “extraordinarily high earner,” has agreed to make the increased payments starting from October of last year until Angel turns 18. The agreement also stipulates that Murphy will cover Brown’s legal expenses.
It is worth noting that Murphy, who has 10 children from various relationships, initially denied being Angel’s father when Brown became pregnant in 2006. However, a paternity test confirmed his biological relationship with the child. Despite previously lacking a relationship with Angel, Murphy now plays a prominent role in her life.
In her memoir, “Brutally Honest,” Mel B opened up about her split from Murphy in 2018. She described him as the love of her life but stated that she was “spectacularly dumped” after their plans of buying a house together fell through. The breakup was a painful experience for her, as she flew back to Leeds to see her mother before returning to LA to reconcile. Unfortunately, during her flight, Murphy publicly questioned the paternity of the child, causing immense distress to Mel B.
Despite these challenges, Brown has found solace in the fact that Murphy and his mother, Lillian, now play vital roles in Angel’s life. The weekends Angel spends with her father have become some of the greatest joys for Mel B, as she witnesses the bond forming between them.
In addition to her custody battle and relationship struggles, Mel B has faced financial difficulties following her messy split from Stephen Belafonte in 2017. Despite her past success and earnings of over £80 million ($158 million), she found herself with only US$936 ($1667) in her bank account when she left Belafonte. These financial hardships have been a part of her journey towards finding stability and independence.
Mel B’s courageous battle for increased child support reflects the challenges faced by many parents, particularly when their circumstances change drastically. With this court ruling, she can now provide the best possible upbringing for her daughter Angel, ensuring that justice is served in the best interest of the child.
