AisleDash

Not only has Guy Ritchie's mom dismissed rumors of an impending divorce between her son and Madonna, now Madonna herself is speaking up. She issued a statement to People magazine saying that she and Guy are not planning on divorcing, and that she is not involved with Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez.

However, even if Madonna and Guy aren't getting divorced, the same can't be said for A-Rod and his wife, Cynthia. And, according to Cynthia's lawyer, "The relationship with Madonna was the final straw." According to some sources, Cynthia believes Madonna used Kabbalah to convince her husband that they were soul mates.



While this is obviously a big, messy ordeal right now, we really hope that all parties can finish things civilly, whichever way they go. There are children involved on both sides, and with such high-profile celebrities, there's sure to be plenty of public speculation stirring the pot.

In response to the intense media speculation that Madonna and Guy's marriage is over, Guy's mother has spoken out and dismissed the rumours as complete and utter nonsense. She said, "It is absolute rubbish, worse than that. Guy will be furious at me talking to you but I feel I can't just let these reports go unanswered as they make me so angry and they are hurtful intrusions into their private lives."

Lady Amber Leighton said that when she chatted to Guy on Friday morning their conversation had been about his new film project and not his divorce, because there is no divorce.

She went on to say that marriage is not a bed of roses and can be tough for any couple, and Madonna and Guy are no different. In addition, they have hectic schedules and the very nature of their careers means they spend a lot of time apart.

"But", said Madonna's mother-in-law, 'Like other couples they work at keeping their relationship happy and fresh and they are a close and loving couple who have a family to bring up."

In the meantime, reports that Madonna sought legal advice from Sir Paul MacCartney's divorce lawyer, Fiona Shackleton, remain unconfirmed.

Madonna is keeping Mum, so, as we've said before, only time will tell.

Never mind the vague media rumours of a split between Madonna and Guy Ritchie, it seems that things are really hotting up now and a divorce looks more and more certain.

The Daily Mail reports that Madonna has consulted lawyer Fiona Shackleton, who also represented Sir Paul McCartney in his recent acrimonious divorce from Heather Mills. Guy, on the other hand, has sought counsel from the lesser-known London firm, Forsters. The legal firm denies that they are acting for Guy and it seems he has only asked for informal advice.

There is still a faint hope that the couple can repair their troubled marriage. A source said: 'Guy and Madonna are at breaking point and have both separately talked to lawyers. Their friends have not ruled out all hope but the situation is dire, to say the least.'

Should they decide to divorce there is a lot at stake, and things may deteriorate and become as bitter as the McCartney-Mills saga. Remember though, that Fiona Shackleton managed to reduce Sir Paul's payout to his ex-wife to a measly £25 million. Could Madonna get away with a minimum settlement pay out too?

Together, Madonna and Guy are worth about £300 million (approximately $600 million). Most of this is Madonna's money, with Guy contributing a mere £20 million to the kitty. Up for grabs, in case of divorce, is:

• Two London houses worth £7 million and £6 million
• Two London cottages worth £4 million
• A £3.6 million West End building used as the Kabbalah headquarters
• A £1.6 million townhouse in Regents Park (also used by the Kabbalah)
• An estate in Wiltshire worth £10 million
• Two Manhattan apartments worth £2 million each

And then there's the money. The cash. The investments. However, any settlement can only really take into account the wealth the couple have accumulated since their marriage in December 2000 and it seems that Guy isn't after a huge chunk of cash. Friends say he's too nice. Hmmm. We'll see.

Maybe they will be the high-profile couple who actually manage to keep things civilised. Let's hope so, if only for the children's sake.

When it comes to celebrities and their love lives, pretty much anything is fodder for the rumour gristmill. Whether it's unfounded speculation or hard facts, the media chews it up and spits out article after article that may or may not be true. So when it comes to Madonna's marriage to Guy Ritchie it's impossible to know whether they are splitting up or not.

However, the rumours of a troubled marriage refuse to die and are growing in frequency. And, as they say, there isn't smoke without a fire.

Latest indications are that Madonna and Guy really are on the last leg of their 7-year marriage. They are, reportedly, discussing their split. Whatever that means. (I'll take the London house and you take New York?) It seems that the couple will formally separate at the end of November, when Madonna's world tour ends.

A report in the Daily Mirror says that "Although the marriage is coming to an end, they don't want to say anything until the tour is over." In contrast to rumours of nasty arguments, apparently the couple want to keep the divorce amicable and focus on giving some stability to their children.

Madonna plans to split her time between her homes in London, New York and Los Angeles whilst Guy will concentrates on his movie, an updated version of Sherlock Holmes.

Well, if it is true, then they're only following on the footsteps of countless couples who have scratched that infamous seven year itch.

After more than seven years, one bomb of a movie, and countless break-up rumors, it looks like Madonna and Guy Ritchie might just be calling it quits. Holy Moly reports that Madonna has hired Nicholas Mostyn, Britain's leading divorce attorney who represented Paul McCartney in his divorce from Heather Mills.

Holy Moly's sources claim the reason for the split is nothing more than "growing apart," which is understandable considering the couple's crazy work schedules, especially now with Madge's new album and tour in addition to the negative media attention the adoption of David Banta has caused.

The couple doesn't appear to have a prenuptial agreement, possibly because pre-nups don't have the legal standing in the UK that they do in the U.S. However, this means Guy could possibly walk away with half of Madonna's considerable fortune (Forbes reports that she earned $72 million last year alone).

Persistent rumours about Gwyneth Paltrow's marriage being in deep trouble have had us all wondering when her divorce from Chris Martin would be announced. If we were to believe the newspapers, it's imminent. But, according to Gwyneth, that's all just a load of old pyjama's.

Gwyneth has had enough of the rumours and, like her friend Madonna (whose marriage has also come under the tabloids burning glare) has spoken out and put a stop to the speculation. She said the rumours were 'ridiculous' and added that havng a famiy makes her feel whole. "I used to always be searching and always lonely. I never feel like that any more."

The actress went on to explain why she and Chris are rarely seen together in public.

"We just don't want to be one of those couples. It evolved that way," she explains, admitting she has been known to let her guard down, much to the disappointment of her husband of five years. He gets furious if I say something about him."

Well, we're not sure what's so peculiar about a couple being seen together in public. It's pretty normal for a husband and wife to go out together but then, when you're a high profile Hollywood celeb, maybe different rules apply. However, it seems that all is well in the Paltrow-Martin family and we can all stop wondering. For now.

The rumour mill has been spinning frantically with recent rumours of an impending separation between Madonna and Guy Ritchie. Now, in a bid to squash the persistent speculation that her marriage is on the rocks, Madonna has spoken candidly to Elle magazine and insisted that there is nothing wrong between her and Guy. They work hard but it hasn't affected their marriage, she claimed.

We know she puts her all into whatever she does and it isn't surprising to discover that she sleeps with her Blackberry under her pillow. However, the singer said that despite work pressures, she and Guy have an amazing sex life. Well that's comforting to know, let's all sigh with relief.

Madonna went on to say that her husband is a challenging man but admitted that she's a tough cookie too. Perhaps a bit too tough? "I've always been very comfortable with my masculine side - the confidence, the ballsiness. I've learnt to be more pliant, more vulnerable and to be comfortable with that." She added that she and Guy keep each other on their toes. "Whatever else Guy is, he's never boring. He can be intolerant of my behaviour but he has certain personality traits which need to change as well."

A man who needs to change? Listen up Madge: after seven years of marriage, it's unlikely he's going to change very much!

In fact, it's probable that Madonna's new album, Hard Candy, will be more successful than any attempts to change her man. But still, it's good to know that they're solidly together and that there's no divorce in the offing. Can we all direct our attention elsewhere now? Perhaps towards Brangelina? Will they get married or not? That's what we really want to know.

Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow went out for dinner in London last night, without their husbands. Apparently, this means that they are BOTH getting a divorce. Because, of course, we all know that dinner with the girls is a CLEAR sign of a marriage on the rocks.

We've heard the rumors about Paltrow and Coldplay's Chris Martin possibly separating, and we really don't buy them. Now Madonna and husband Guy Richie are rumored to be splitting up, for all the same reasons: her career has involved some travel, he hasn't been traveling with her because he has been working, and they haven't been photographed together in a really long time. Like since January.

The last time my husband and I were in the same photograph was Thanksgiving. Before that, who knows?

Boy, this holiday season, celebrity couples seem to be going one way or another. On one hand, we have the engagements of Fergie and Josh Duhamel as well as Jessica Alba and Cash Warren to celebrate. On the other, some long-standing Hollywood couples are calling it quits, like Brendan Fraser and his wife after nine years of togetherness.

And now, according to People, Sean Penn and his wife, Robin Wright Penn, are divorcing after 11 years of marriage and two children, ages 14 and 16.

The couple's relationship has been known to be rocky. They've starred together in several films, working with director Nick Cassavetes on two of them. Cassavetes has said that, basically, how goes Sean and Robin's relationship on any given day, so goes filming.

Sean Penn was formerly married (for approximately 30 seconds) to Madonna -- a volatile relationship at best, as he's the first to admit. Professionally, the former wild boy has done a lot of growing up as he proved recently with Into the Wild, so let's hope that he's done so personally as well, and he and Robin find greater happiness apart than they did together.