Madonna show goes on after split

Pop star Madonna took to the stage in Boston, as part of her world tour, on the same day she and husband Guy Ritchie announced they were to divorce.

After nearly eight years of marriage representatives for the couple confirmed the split on Wednesday.

A statement asked the media to "maintain respect for their family at this difficult time".

The 50-year-old made no mention of the split at the Sticky and Sweet concert, where she played to 20,000 fans.

'Outspoken attitude'

I'm not shocked by her divorce," said Amanda Smith, 32, who was at the concert.

"It goes with her reputation. It suits her."

Brian Carnahan, 28, added: "I love her outspoken attitude and she changes all the time."

The couple have two sons - Rocco (pictured in 2000) and David Banda

Madonna's spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg commented at the time that relations between the couple were cordial and they expected to agree a settlement without going to court.

The statement followed several months of speculation that the couple's relationship was in trouble.

In July, the singer's publicist said the marriage did not "need saving".

The pair appeared together at last month's premiere of Ritchie's RocknRolla in London, walking arm-in-arm and posing for photographs in London's Leicester Square.

'Final settlement'

Ritchie, 40, had rebutted suggestions his marriage was over with a public show of support at Madonna's 50th birthday party in August and also told a US magazine in July the marriage was "fine".

The statement issued on Wednesday 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.

"A final settlement has not been agreed upon yet."

Madonna and Ritchie married in December 2000 at Skibo Castle in the Scottish Highlands.

The couple and have two sons - seven-year-old Rocco and David Banda, whose adoption from Malawi was approved in May.

The singer also has a 12-year-old daughter, Lourdes, from an earlier relationship.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version