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Madonna and Guy Ritchie reach divorce deal
Robert Mendick, Evening StandardUpdated 11:36am on 20 Nov 2008
Madonna and Guy Ritchie have reached agreement on their divorce — with the British film director refusing to take a penny of the pop star's cash.
An announcement could come by the end of the month, a source close to the negotiations has told the Evening Standard.
Madonna will walk away from the eight-year marriage with her fortune, estimated at £300 million, still intact. Although Ritchie, himself believed to be worth £30 million, was entitled under English divorce law to as much as half her wealth, sources suggest he has done a “Piper” — a reference to Billie Piper, the actress who divorced the broadcaster Chris Evans without asking for anything.
Amicable: Madonna pictured last night
The stumbling block in the split had been over where Ritchie and Madonna's children will now live. Madonna, 50, wished to take the children back to New York while Ritchie, 40, wanted to keep his sons in London, where they have grown up.
The source said a compromise had now been reached which will see the two boys — Rocco, eight, and three-year-old adopted David — dividing their time between Britain and the US. Madonna's daughter Lourdes, by another relationship, will continue to live with her.
The source told the Evening Standard: “It will be all over by the end of the month. I am sure it will be announced by then. The priority for him has always been the children. Ritchie has not wanted her money. He has done exactly what Billie Piper did when she divorced Chris Evans. She walked away without any of his money, much to her credit. Guy Ritchie has done the same.”
A second source said: “Ritchie could have taken her to the cleaners. He is a very honourable man to have walked away.”
Deal: Guy will spend time with his sons
Sources said the announcement of the settlement would not include any financial details. The couple only officially announced they were splitting last month after several weeks of speculation. The speed with which they have come to a deal will come as a surprise because it follows reports that the split was acrimonious and therefore likely to drag on.
The two lawyers acting for the couple — Helen Ward and Fiona Shackleton — are said to have worked round-the-clock to reach a settlement. Lady Ward, the wife of a Court of Appeal judge and who acted for Ritchie, had brought on board the leading children's barrister Stephen Cobb QC to negotiate where the children will reside.
Mrs Shackleton had used Nicholas Mostyn QC, who is an expert in the financial intricacies in divorce cases. Mrs Shackleton and Mr Mostyn represented Sir Paul McCartney in his long, drawn-out divorce from Heather Mills, which eventually cost the former Beatle just under £25 million.
One source said: “It's indicative of Ritchie's priorities that he brought in Stephen Cobb who is a specialist children's QC. Put it this way, you wouldn't go for Cobb if you were after a huge financial settlement.”
Both sides will be relieved to have avoided the huge costs incurred by McCartney as well as the full glare of the media spotlight. It has been suggested the full cost of McCartney's divorce from Ms Mills, a former glamour model, in paying lawyers' and other professional fees, could have been as high as £10 million.
In contrast Madonna and Ritchie will have saved themselves millions by reaching a speedy settlement.
The divorce has been an unwelcome distraction for the couple. Madonna is on a world tour and is due to perform in Philadelphia tonight. Ritchie is making his latest feature film Sherlock Holmes, starring Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law.
Reader views (11)
It is great to have Madonna free again. A tigress like her should be allowed her space. She looks MaDjestic. Madonna is a true Hard Candy. Lets hail the queen of universe.
- Khosrow, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 21/11/2008 08:22
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why do people keep blaming one party? it takes two to make a marriage and two to end it. I agree Guy is a decent bloke, but why keep slagging Madonna? She has done nothing personal to any of us. Besides they share two sones together and they did love one another once and that should be all there is to say about it.
- K Lewis, Australia, 21/11/2008 02:41
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Lovely. Clearly someone was thinking of the children and not themselves. Congrats on the class, Guy. You're richer for it.
- Grant Devereaux, Nashville TN USA, 20/11/2008 21:59
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Isn't she beginning to look like that woman in Sunset Boulevard or Joan Crawford in "whatever happened to baby jane" - honey - don't try and stretch the candy jar any more
- Jc, se1, 20/11/2008 21:13
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Enough with the Madonna bashing people!...They've come to an amicable agreement as adults and are making their children the main priority...and we all should leave it at that! None of us were privy to the ins and outs of their relationship nor its subsequent breakdown. The negative comments that have been posted by some people leaves one to think that such people must all be in perfect relationships and must have always conducted themselves with dignity in their marital or relationship break-ups...which I'm not inclined to believe one bit!...
- Ali Sichilongo, London, 20/11/2008 19:35
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Madonna did a concert here in LA last week, where she conspicuously held her nose and announced to the crowd that "London stinks".
which is odd, seeing how well it speaks of her!
but then you can't buy self awareness
- Scott, London, 20/11/2008 16:55
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I commend Guy so much for this great act which will tell Madonna that he was not after her money. Now she can go and enjoy her money with her lover boys. I feel sorry for Guy for having married Madonna in the first place. I am sure he has offloaded a big burden in his life. Such women are not wife materials. Madonna is not yet ready to settle down with a man for ever. She is still a play woman. I am sure Guy will find a good woman who knows what family is all about and not a Madonna and Britney Spears like.
- Vinus, Essen, Germany, Essen, Germany, 20/11/2008 16:39
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I am sure Guy is just relieved to be rid of her and can live a normal life again without the circus which she generates.
Guy was never after her money only time with his son's - whilst she has bad mouthed him constantly.
You know what they say though ....... cream always rises to the top!
Have a good life with your son's Guy!
- Janey C, inverness scotland, 20/11/2008 12:24
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Good for him, a man of dignity unlike some monopeds I could mention.
- Bob, Cheam, 20/11/2008 12:03
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I suppose Cruella de Vil will get to keep the puppies in the settlement, in order to make that fur coat she always wanted.
- John, London, 20/11/2008 11:49
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What IS Madge wearing ???
(ps - well done Guy, proof not every celeb is out for everything they can get - WAGs take note .....)
- Marianne, SW France, 20/11/2008 11:11
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