LONDON: For most billionaires, the greatest fear in getting married is what the divorce might cost. Not so Bernie Ecclestone. Official court papers show the formula one tycoon is, as a result of his split from his second wife Slavica, perhaps the world's best kept man.

Documents show that since his divorce in 2009 he has received $US500 million ($540 million) from his ex-wife's trust fund. In a highly unusual divorce settlement, rather than Mr Ecclestone paying Slavica Ecclestone a good chunk of his fortune, she appears to be paying him at the rate of $US100 million a year.

Bernie Ecclestone meets Manfred Noetzel, the leading chief prosecutor in his bribery trial. Credit:Getty Images

The details of the divorce settlement are disclosed in a 256-page indictment, laid before a German court last week. Mr Ecclestone is currently on trial in Munich, where he is accused of paying a more than £25 million ($45 million) bribe to a German banker.

The indictment states; "Since his divorce from his wife, the accused has received payments on the basis of the British decree nisi. The payments amount to around $100 million a year. The duration of the payments from the divorce decree is not known."