Donald Sterling's Wife Shelly ... I'm Only a Billionaire ... I Need Alimony!!!

Shelly Sterling might be the richest person in the history of the world to nail her ancient hubby for spousal support.

Shelly fired off legal docs in her bizarre divorce from her BFF hubby Donald Sterling ... bizarre because they still hang out together, most recently at a Beverly Hills pawn shop.

As for why Shelly needs spousal support ... it's a conundrum. The Sterling's net worth is estimated at $3 billion -- that includes the $2 billion they pocketed for the Clippers. Since they were married in 1955 -- 2 years before the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn -- each will walk away very, very very very rich.