Yes, Madonna and Guy Ritchie are getting divorced

The rumor mill swung into action several months ago, with claims that the couple effectively live separate lives. Their last joint public appearance was at the Cannes Film Festival last month, where Madonna was promoting her documentary, Ritchie, 39, appeared deeply uncomfortable as they posed together on the red carpet, and they barely exchanged a word.

Now its been revealed that Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie are ending their almost-eight-year marriage, a rep for the singer confirmed Wednesday, as they announced their divorce in a statement and have not agreed to a settlement.

"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," says the statement. "The main concern for Madonna and Guy are their children - the security of their children in all senses of the word and the wellbeing of their children," rep Liz Rosenberg tells PEOPLE. "That's the priority for both of them moving forward. It's a sad situation."

The star is said to have hired Fiona Shackleton, the lawyer who represented Sir Paul McCartney in his recent divorce battle. "The judgment of the court would be to try and assess what they came in with and divide what they built up fairly equally," said David Allison, a lawyer with Family Law in Partnership, a London firm, told the Associated Press. Even after nearly a decade together, Madonna is still expected to be the strong one in the relationship. "Guy's problem is that he is in her shadow," said one source who knows them both well. "She is the star of the show and he feels a little emasculated by the marriage.

Lets hope the best for both of them.

(Source: people.com)