Madonna divorce: Not a penny for the Guy?

News in pictures
News in pictures
On Facebook
From the blogs

More than half of Afghanistan’s families live in extreme poverty

Leila is watching her baby intently, as his mouth moves trying to swallow the small blob of yellow p...

Time for a new approach to alcohol

Ambulances were called and three drunk teenagers were brought to my care. One was so drunk we had to...

Bahrain: One year on

I am used to endless lies and criticism from the BNP and its favourite blogster, as well as Islamist...

Paul Volcker stands tall against the banking lobby

Why is Europe, which likes to present itself as an opponent of speculative "Anglo-Saxon" finance, li...

Madonna and her film director husband Guy Ritchie are to be divorced tomorrow.

Their case - Ciccone M L v Ritchie G S - is listed before District Judge Reid under the "quickie" divorce procedure.

Their decree nisi is to be announced at 10am in Court 10 of the Principal Registry of the High Court's Family Division.

It is not necessary for the couple to attend the proceedings in High Holborn, central London.



Tomorrow's hearing is likely to last a matter of minutes. Both parties are entitled to attend if they wish but in most high profile celebrity cases, the divorcing couple choose not to.

There was no immediate comment from Madonna's spokeswoman.

The Evening Standard newspaper in London reported today that Ritchie has done a "Piper" - by refusing to take a penny of Madonna's fortune, estimated at £300 million.

Ritchie, who has had a successful career in his own right, is believed to be worth around £30 million.

Billie Piper was praised when she walked away from her marriage to Chris Evans without taking any of his cash.

The Standard reported that a source said the couple's two boys - Rocco, eight and three-year-old adopted David Band will split their time between Britain and the US.

The newspaper reported that Lourdes, 12, Madonna's child from an earlier relationship, will remain with her.

The source told the newspaper: "The priority for him has always been the children.

"Ritchie has not wanted her money."



The couple announced they were splitting on October 15, ending months of speculation.

A short joint statement at the time read: "Madonna and Guy Ritchie have agreed to divorce after seven-and-a-half years of marriage, their representatives confirmed today.

"They have both requested that the media maintain respect for their family at this difficult time."

Film director Ritchie, 40, married Madonna seven years ago at a lavish ceremony in Scotland.

But rumours circulated in recent months that their relationship was increasingly under strain.

Just weeks before the divorce announcement, the couple made a very public show of affection in what was seen as a move to end speculation surrounding their marriage.

Madonna walked down the red carpet with Ritchie at the world premiere of his latest film in London's Leicester Square.

She made a surprise appearance at the event after the stars of Ritchie's film RocknRolla met fans and the press.

Wearing a short black Stella McCartney dress with jewels down the front, the singer walked arm-in-arm with Ritchie and posed for photographs.

Prior to the Leicester Square appearance, Ritchie stamped on suggestions that his marriage was over with a public show of support at his superstar wife's 50th birthday party.

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Career Services

Day In a Page

No secularism please, we're British

No secularism please, we're British

Arguments about the role of religion in national life have recently acquired a new urgency
Harold Tillman: 'Chinese tourists can save the high street – if we let them'

Harold Tillman interview

'Chinese tourists can save the high street – if we let them'
Working as a jail torturer ruined my life

Working as a jail torturer ruined my life

Meet the former soldier who has joined the political prisoners he tortured in Turkey's Mamak prison by suing the generals who led a regime of terror
The local high street jet shop

The local high street jet shop

Got a spare $50m and can't stand the queues at Heathrow? Get yourself down to London's first private plane dealership
Do you like your doctor? It could be the death of you

Do you like your doctor?

It could be the death of you...
The mysterious affair of how Agatha Christie is teaching foreigners English

How Agatha Christie is teaching foreigners English

Twenty of the author's novels have been adapted and presented with learning notes and a CD
Six Grammys, five years off: Adele puts love before career

Six Grammys, five years off

Adele puts love before career
The 10 Best binoculars

The 10 Best binoculars

From no-frills to bins with digital cameras
Milan for £300

Milan for £300?

A cultural family holiday - on a budget - to Italy's most stylish city
'Black-hole' resorts: Turn up, tune out, log off

'Black-hole' resorts

Turn up, tune out, log off
New Arsenal face an old question of credibility in San Siro

New Arsenal face an old question of credibility in San Siro

Remodelled since winning in Milan in 2008, for all their consistency – and prize-money – Wenger's side are yet to claim a European title
James Lawton: This prodigal son deserves no forgiveness

James Lawton: This prodigal son deserves no forgiveness

City would be putting their desire to win title ahead of morals if Tevez plays for them
Mark Cavendish: Is Olympic gold at end of the rainbow?

Mark Cavendish interview

Is Olympic gold at end of the rainbow?
Apple admits it has a human rights problem

Apple admits it has a human rights problem

After years of complaints and workers' suicides in China the technology giant faces up to the human cost of its gadgets
Peter Moore: 'I feel guilty I'm the only one alive'

Peter Moore interview

'I feel guilty I'm the only one alive'