Divorce is never an enjoyable experience, and at times, it can be quite bitter. We often hear about the extreme lengths some people go to during divorce proceedings to seek revenge on their ex-spouse. However, one man took things to a whole new level.

Dr. Richard Batista loved his wife, Dawnell, so much that he selflessly donated one of his kidneys to save her life. Unfortunately, their marriage did not thrive, and they ended up divorcing. In an unexpected move, Dr. Batista demanded $1.5 million from his ex-wife for the kidney he had given her, or the kidney itself as compensation.

The couple had tied the knot in 1990 and shared three children together. Dawnell was already struggling with medical problems, and after two failed kidney transplants, Dr. Batista made the decision to offer her one of his kidneys in 2001. “My first priority was to save her life. The second bonus was to turn the marriage around,” he said.

While the procedure did save her life, it did not save their marriage. In 2005, Dr. Batista accused Dawnell of having an affair, which led to their divorce. It was at this point that he demanded compensation for the kidney or its return. His lawyer argued that he was only asking for the value of the kidney. However, it was unlikely to work, as one medical ethicist stated, “It’s her kidney now, and taking it out would mean she would have to go on dialysis or it would kill her.”

Despite his attempt to retrieve the kidney or seek monetary compensation for it, the Nassau County Supreme Court rejected his request. They ruled that the kidney was a gift, and he did not have the right to demand monetary compensation for it.

It’s a unique and heartbreaking situation that reminds us of the complexity of relationships and the challenges that can arise in divorce.