Madonna has confirmed she and husband Guy Ritchie are to divorce.
Reports surfaced today (15.10.08) the couple were heading for a legal separation and now the 50-year-old singer’s US spokesperson Liz Rosenberg has validated the rumours.
In a statement, Rosenberg said: "Madonna and Guy Ritchie have agreed to divorce after 7 l/2 years of marriage. They have both requested the media maintain respect for their family at this difficult time. A final settlement has not been agreed upon yet."
It is believed the couple had been arguing over their careers and the upbringing of their children.
A source said: "It's very sad. They were a great couple and brilliant parents. They just couldn't live together any more.
"Despite huge attempts to patch things up they both knew deep down that divorce was on the cards. It wasn't a matter of 'if' but 'when'. They tried hard over the last few months but their arguments were getting out of control."
US singer Madonna and British film director Guy, 40 – who raise three children together, eight-year-old son Rocco, adopted son David, two, and Lourdes, 12, Madonna’s daughter with Carlos Leon - are also said to have repeatedly clashed about Madonna's desire to adopt a second child, a move Guy was opposed to.
While the '4 Minutes' singer was keen to wait until next year to announce the split - after her current 'Sticky and Sweet' world tour has finished - Guy is said to have demanded the split be made public now.
The source continued: "The final straw came before Madonna started her US tour. She wanted a highly stage-managed separation, with their split being announced when it was convenient for her.
"But a series of rows around Guy's 40th birthday last month were so bad that Madonna ended up storming out of the house, and Guy's had enough. He said if they were going to split, it has to be now — and their marriage will be over in a matter of weeks.
Guy is said to have halted shooting on his latest film project, 'Sherlock Holmes', and flown back from France to announce the news to his parents.
He is expected to move out of the couple's London home, which is owned by Madonna, and into Ashcombe House, the Wiltshire property which belongs to him.
He is expected to receive a staggering £150 million in a divorce settlement, as it is believed the couple did not sign a pre-nuptial agreement and Madonna’s earnings have eclipsed his since they tied the knot.