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Madonna divorce heard in public - by judge with drug dealer father
Robert Mendick, Chief Reporter19 Feb 2009
Intimate details of Madonna's divorce from Guy Ritchie will be made public in a US courtroom, the Evening Standard can reveal.
The custody battle over their two sons has moved to New York, to approve court orders already issued in London. But unlike English family law courts, the New York Supreme Court hearing, listed for 2 March, will be open to the public.
Madonna, 50, is planning to live permanently in New York with her children and needs the US courts to ratify a deal already thrashed out in London.
It raises the prospect that financial arrangements and the singer's demands for her sons' welfare will be aired in public.
It has been alleged that Madonna, who is deeply influenced by kabbalah, a form of Jewish spiritualism, has insisted her sons eat kosher food and attend synagogue on Fridays and Saturdays. It is also claimed she has demanded that Ritchie, 40, upgrade the internet connection at his country estate in Wiltshire allowing her to communicate fully with them when her ex-husband has custody.
The case will be heard by a New York judge whose father is currently serving a 27-year jail term for drug trafficking.
A source close to the case told the Evening Standard: "There is going to be a hearing next month and the papers that have been filed will be available then. The New York hearing will confirm the English proceedings.
"There will be revelations, but the divorce remains amicable and intelligently handled."
Judge Deborah Kaplan, a highly respected New York judge, will preside at the hearing. Her father Burton Kaplan, who has mafia connections, was sentenced to 27 years in jail in 1997 for masterminding a marijuana trafficking ring.
Madonna has hired respected New York divorce lawyer Eleanor Alter to represent her, while Ritchie has retained another heavyweight in Peter Bronstein.
The couple announced they were divorcing last year after eight years of marriage and have managed to keep most details private - a contrast to the highly public break-up of Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Mills.
Madonna's friends say Ritchie received in total a settlement of cash and property worth about £45 million - the largest amount a wife has ever given a husband in British legal history.
Reader views (11)
Oh My! Who on earth cares? Surely with the amount of money they BOTH have, Private Jets and a tribe of Nannie`s can ferry the children wherever they wish! Lets take a closer look at marriages destroyed in our own neighbourhood and the effect it has on the children, especially families with little or low incomes. Leave Madonna and Guy alone to sort it out between themselves. If people paid more attention to what was going on next door to them than that of a celebrity pairing, our world would be a much better place. Shame on you all!
- Jay T, Oxford, England, 20/02/2009 16:07
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Her legs look odd.
- D, London, 20/02/2009 14:04
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Ali Sichilongo - why thanks.
I love the way that Ali, London comments on MY comments all the time, like he/she knows anymore than I do!
One would think you had more info on the subject than the rest of us??????
I say it as I see it, you do the same.
- Janey C, inverness scotland, 20/02/2009 13:05
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I mean who cares....a pop-singer should be valued not according to personal-life matters but rather according to the No of fans supporting....
- Andre, switzerland, 19/02/2009 18:15
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how can you possibly comment on what went on in her marriage, or what kind of person she is.
- Nu, london, 19/02/2009 16:57
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I love the way that Janey C, Inverness, Scotland speaks with such authority on the ins and outs of Madonna's marriage break up...one would think that you were a close relative of the woman....
- Ali Sichilongo, London, 19/02/2009 16:42
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Debbie, NY - I soooo agree with you.
She comes across as a selfish woman who puts her, own needs before that of her family.
but I blame the people around her, if she had had someone to stand up to her (as Guy did) then perhaps she would be a nicer, happier person.
America is welcome to her! (Sorry Debbie)
- Janey C, inverness scotland, 19/02/2009 13:43
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In many ways the Madonna/Ritchie divorce is far worse than the McCartney/Mills divorce. The Ritchie's children have been taken to another continent. Visitation will be difficult at best for Guy. Heather Mills fought for money she didn't deserve, but the child remains home.
- Maureen, WPB, FL, 19/02/2009 13:33
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Thomas, not as much of a circus as P.C. Britain has become. No wonder she moved out.
- Cuddly Duddly, Cuffley, UK, 19/02/2009 13:19
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The newspapers kept saying the McCartney/Mills divorce was public and ugly. But I bet with all the rules in place, Sir Paul has an easier time dealing with his ex, than Guy will have dealing with his ex. Everything with Madonna is a demand.
- Debbie, NYC, 19/02/2009 12:37
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All goes to show what a circus US justice has become.
- Thomas, London, England, 19/02/2009 11:29
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