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Entertainment | 12/16/2008 8:45 am

Madonna's Divorce Deal: Material Girl Out $76 Million

By The Staff at wowOwow.com
© AP

Despite rumors that Guy wasn’t getting a dime from the Material Girl, reports today say otherwise.

According to the Associated Press, Madonna has agreed to pay Ritchie between 50 million and 60 million pounds ($76 million to $92 million in U.S. cash) as part of their divorce agreement. Madonna’s spokesperson, Liz Rosenberg, told the AP that she says the figure includes the values of the couple’s country mansion in England. (An abode we don’t foresee Madge wanting to live in … it’s pretty far from New York Yankee slugger Alex Rodriguez.)

"I’d assume it’s one of the largest payouts ever in a divorce settlement," Rosenberg said to the press.

The payout comes as a bit of a surprise. As the Guardian reports, Ritchie was quoted by a British newspaper last month, saying their separation was "never, ever about the money."

"Never, ever about the money," said the man who is supposedly walking away with at least $76 million …

This figure might get your head spinning, but you know what? The settlement may feel like chump change to Madonna. The 50-year-old singing sensation reportedly earned $40 million last year. And the couple’s combined worth was estimated to be as high as $525 million — most of that in Madge’s pocket.

And while Madonna’s spokesperson assumes it will be the one of the "largest payouts ever in a divorce settlement," it probably isn’t. That title belongs to basketball phenomenon Michael Jordan, whose divorce in 2007 from Juanita Jordan is ranked as Forbes’s most expensive celebrity divorces settlement — it left Jordan $168 million lighter.

As the ink dries on the divorce papers, Ritchie and Madge will probably still be working out custody arrangements for their children. They have two sons, Rocco, 8, and David Banda, 3, who they adopted from Malawi. Madonna also has a daughter, Lourdes, 12, from a previous relationship. It’s also been said that Madonna wants to live in the Unites States and Ritchie’s very comfortable residing in the UK.

From what we’re hearing, don’t be surprised to see the entire family together on Christmas. It’s being reported that Ritchie and Madonna will be spending December 25 together for the sake of their children. The kabbalah enthusiast will be flying to London, according to reports, for a "traditional family celebration."

Wait a second … despite all the headlines swirling around the two, was this actually an amicable celebrity divorce? 

8 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Chrome Toe
My ex and I spent christmas together for the sake of our kids for years. He would take them to his parents on christmas eve, bring them home and tuck them in then come back first thing in the morning for present opening and some sort of christmas meal and movie. Eventually the kids got to old to “need” us all to be together like that. But it was very nice for them when they were little. It was just assumed between he and I that any important function we did together for the kids. Birthdays, sports events, teachers conferences…
By Chrome Toe on 12/16/2008 9:18 am
DeBúrca obj
Well this doesn’t sound to me like alimony for Guy Ritchie, it sounds like a division of their joint property. If that is the case it doesn’t contradict him saying he was not asking for money from her.
By DeBúrca obj on 12/16/2008 10:38 am
Amelie Poulain
Sounds like she bought him out of a couple joint properties and that’s about it. Short, sweet and expensive. However, when it drags on and on only the lawyers cash in. Why not agree to make it worthwhile for each other by NOT dragging each other through the mud? Lawyers laugh all the way to the bank. I will never understand why everyone doesn’t do pre-nups. It makes it so much easier to do the deal while you are both still in love and trying to impress each other with generosity etc.
By Amelie Poulain on 12/16/2008 12:03 pm
HA BIBI
This was only a buy out of property. simply put, both own (joint), who ever want’s to keep the property, must buy out the others equity in that property. Otherwise it is sold and all monies owed on property are paid off and the parties walk away with the profit, if there be any. All rightfully done and no alimony involved.
By HA BIBI on 12/16/2008 12:16 pm
Belinda Joy
Wow, I don’t know what to think about this? I can’t see Guy seeking this amount of money given that he is affluent in his own right. This may be one of those “wait and see ALL the details” type of news story.
By Belinda Joy on 12/16/2008 6:52 pm
Jim Henley
This comment was removed by the request of management.
By Jim Henley on 12/16/2008 7:01 pm
shirley adams
just think what 76 million could do for poor families in america.
By shirley adams on 12/18/2008 5:55 am
Cookie M
madonna is great - gorgeous and still leading all the latest headlines. awesome.
By Cookie M on 12/19/2008 12:44 am