Madonna Guy Ritchie Divorce

- Madonna and Ritchie met in 1998 and married on December 22, 2000People: Reports: Madonna Consulted Divorce Lawyer (June 27, 2008)
- Madonna and Ritchie's divorce plans were confirmed by her rep on October 15, 2008People: Madonna & Ritchie Are Divorcing (October 15, 2008)
- Rumors of the couple's pending divorce first began in March 2008Huffington Post: Madonna Denies Divorce Rumors (March 17, 2008)
- There was no prenuptial agreement in place between Madonna and RitchieCBS News: Madonna May Be Headed to Divorce Court (June 27, 2008)
- Couple was granted a "quicky divorce" in November 21, 2008People: Granted Preliminary Divorce (November 21, 2008)
- December 7, 2008: News of the World reported that Ritchie received $64 million in the couple's divorce settlementNews of the World: Madonna gives £32m to Guy (December 7, 2008)
- It was speculated in July 2008 that Madonna may have been romantically linked to baseball star Alex Rodriguez*Usmagazine.com: NY Yankee Making Late-Night Visits... (July 1, 2008)
- Madonna had a daughter, Lourdes Leon, before marrying Ritchie
- In January 2009, Madonna won full custody of all 3 children and moved them to New York with herThe Sun: Madonna Wins Temp Custody Battle (January 31, 2009)

Madonna and Guy Ritchie were granted what is known as a preliminary or "quicky divorce" in London on November 21, 2008. Due to neither party contesting the divorce, it was legally final in six weeks.People: Granted Preliminary Divorce (November 21, 2008)
On January 31, 2009, The Sun reported that Madonna won a custody battle to have all three children's residency in New York.The Sun: Madonna Wins Temp Custody Battle (January 31, 2009)Madonna and Ritchie have Rocco and David between them with Lourdes from Madonna's prior relationship. Ritchie had been fighting to at least have Rocco and David stay with him while Lourdes could live with Madonna and her biological father.The Sun: Madonna Wins Temp Custody Battle (January 31, 2009)
The Beginning

After several months of a rumored divorce between pop star Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie, the news was confirmed by Madonna's rep, Liz Rosenberg, on October 15, 2008. Rosenberg stated, "Madonna and Guy Ritchie have agreed to divorce after seven-and-a-half years of marriage."People: Madonna & Ritchie Are Divorcing (October 15, 2008)
Child Custody Battle

The Showbizspy reported that Guy Ritchie hired Stephen Cobb QC in an attempt to gain custody of Lourdes, Rocco and David. Reports alleged that Madonna wanted to move the children to New York City while Ritchie wanted to keep the kids in the UK.Showbizspy: Guy Ritchie Recruits Leading Child Custody Specialist (November 5, 2008)
Quicky Divorce

People Magazine reported on November 21, 2008, that Madonna and Ritchie were granted a preliminary divorce in the High Court of London. If neither Madonna nor Ritchie contests the divorce, it will be final in six weeks. Madonna cited Ritchie's alleged "unreasonable behavior" as grounds for the divorce.People: Granted Preliminary Divorce (November 21, 2008)
Quote

"Madonna and Guy Ritchie have agreed to divorce after seven-and-a-half years of marriage. They have both requested that the media maintain respect for their family at this difficult time." -- Madonna rep Liz RosenbergPeople: Madonna & Ritchie Are Divorcing (October 15, 2008)