Newly engaged couple Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are highly likely to protect themselves with an ironclad prenuptial agreement, though it “won’t be straightforward,” experts tell Newsweek.
Newsweek reached out to Swift and Kelce’s representatives via email for comment on Friday.
The pop star, 35, and Kansas City Chiefs tight end, also 35, made headlines on Tuesday when they announced their engagement on Instagram alongside several photos of the proposal.
“Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married,” they captioned the shots, adding a firecracker emoji.
The joint post, which had more than 34.4 million views at the time of publication, was greeted around the world, garnering reactions from the likes of President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
What Is Taylor Swift’s Net Worth?
Swift and Kelce have both amassed large fortunes after rising to the top of their respective fields.
The “Love Story” singer wrapped up her record-breaking Eras Tour in December and announced her highly anticipated 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, just over two weeks ago. According to Forbes, Swift’s current net worth is $1.6 billion.
“The majority of Swift’s net worth—about $850 million—was earned during the tour and from cash she pocketed over the span of her nearly 20-year career,” the outlet reported. Her assets include her music catalog, which she bought back in May, her real estate properties and her private jet.
What Is Travis Kelce’s Net Worth?
Kelce, meanwhile, has a net worth of approximately $70 million, per Forbes.
The three-time Super Bowl Champion began his NFL career with the Chiefs in 2013, and he has played there ever since. In addition to football, Kelce also co-hosts his New Heights podcast with his brother, Jason Kelce, and is the host of Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?. The Ohio native has even dabbled in acting, making cameos in Adam Sandler’s Happy Gilmore 2 and Ryan Murphy’s Grotesquerie.
Prenup Protection
As Swift and Kelce prepare for marriage, experts have told Newsweek a prenuptial agreement is essential.
Marilyn Bell, Partner and Head of the Family Law Team at SA Law, said: “In high net worth marriages like this one, a prenup is often considered a standard and prudent step. Prenups don’t just provide asset protection, they also create clarity and long-term financial harmony.”
“Given Taylor Swift’s significant wealth, intellectual property and ongoing royalties, a prenup would likely outline how premarital assets, future earnings and business interests are classified and protected,” she expanded, noting that “estate planning will likely play a key role too.”
“For example, Swift’s existing trusts, royalties and companies will need careful structuring to remain separate and avoid mixing. Measures would typically be taken to protect business continuity, prevent unwanted entanglement and maintain control of her brand.”
Simon Rowbotham, Barrister at 4PB in London, agreed. “As unromantic as it sounds, it is inconceivable that Taylor will not be advised to protect her financial position by way of a prenuptial agreement in some form in the unhappy event the couple separate and never, ever get back together,” he said, playfully referring to one of Swift’s hit songs.
“Swift and Kelce will no doubt be considering a prenup ahead of their marriage, Swift even more so, I’m sure,” Lisa Payne, Associate at the UK-based Wilsons Solicitors LLP, told Newsweek.
“A prenup will record their respective net worth, and the terms will no doubt clearly state that their wealth is derived from their own endeavors and will not be shared on divorce—an attempt to ringfence pre-acquired wealth and assets, which is the main driving force of a prenup.”
Payne added, however, that the terms of the prenup “won’t be straightforward,” explaining: “There is likely to be the mingling of their monies as they plan for their future, i.e. what would happen if Taylor’s ‘Swifties’ disown her but Travis’ career reaches new heights? That’s one of the downsides of a prenup, aside from how unromantic the process is for love’s young dream couple, there is an element of crystal balling—there’s a new Taylor song in there, I’m sure!”
Julia Rodgers, Founder of agreement provider HelloPrenup, shared with Newsweek: “When you’re talking about one of the most powerful women in music, and one of the most successful players in the NFL, a prenup conversation isn’t just a subplot—it’s the headline.”
With a combined “nearly $2 billion estimated net worth… a prenup would cover their marital assets,” added Rodgers.
Confidentiality Is Key
All experts contacted by Newsweek said Kelce and Swift would be wise to consider a confidentiality clause, which would prevent sensitive information from becoming public knowledge.
Payne said: “A positive of (any) prenup is that it (would likely) include a confidentiality clause, and it’s likely these two will not want the public to know the terms. Should they ever divorce, this detail would remain private—even if Taylor decided to write an album about the breakup!”
Bell noted that “the couple may consider confidentiality clauses and NDAs as part of such an agreement, in order to protect private matters from becoming public headlines and to manage reputational risks on both sides.”
A NDA, or nondisclosure agreement is a legally binding document that protects confidential information between two parties.
Bell added: “They will also need to carefully consider what jurisdictions the prenup is expected to apply to. Currently some countries treat prenups as enforceable, whereas in England they do not bind the hands of the Court.”
Rowbotham said that despite both Swift and Kelce having “successful careers,” there is still a “colossal disparity in income” between them.
“One would also anticipate some form of protection against spousal support. Given the high-profile positions of both Taylor and Travis, I would certainly expect there to be a comprehensive agreement to ensure confidentiality and nondisclosure.”
Rodgers said: “I predict they’ll include a confidentiality clause to ensure neither of them writes a tell-all book or makes a reality show without the other person’s consent.”
She also noted that “they may also consider adding a social media clause, which says you can’t disparage the other person on social media for any reason, so if something were to go wrong in the future, you’d want to make sure neither is disparaging the other publicly.”
The Impact on Swifties and Music
Dr. Lucy Bennett—a Lecturer at Cardiff University, who specializes in popular music, media and culture, as well as fandom—told Newsweek that Swift’s fans, affectionately known as Swifties, will be wondering what her engagement to Kelce means for her music.
“Swift’s previous album, The Tortured Poets Department, runs deeply with themes of romantic disappointment and its emotional consequences on her. With Swift’s recent experiences of reciprocated love now with Travis Kelce, many fans perceive themselves as intimately engaged with this narrative,” she said. “For some, this engagement extends to a sense of shared participation in her personal milestones, as though they are witnessing the culmination of a journey in which they have been vicariously involved. Swifties have followed her struggles, her triumphs, and many fans may see these as reflecting their own desires, paths or hopes.”
Bennett noted, however, that “not all fans necessarily view it this way.”
“Some have voiced concerns that, without heartbreak as a source of inspiration, Swift’s music might lose some of its emotional intensity! This means that fan engagement is not only marked by excitement but also by a sense of curiosity and anticipation about the direction her next creative chapter will take.”
Ultimately, Rodgers said that for Swift and Kelce, “a prenup for them isn’t about love or trust, (it would be) about clarity and protecting what they’ve each built. For Taylor, a prenup means safeguarding the empire she’s worked to grow since she was a teen.”
She concluded: “Prenups are like wearing seat belts: you don’t get into a car expecting to get into an accident, but if you do, you want to be protected.”
The post Taylor Swift Prenup Would Likely Include Key Clause—’Won’t Be Straightforward’ appeared first on Newsweek.
