Madonna and Guy Richie’s marriage is in such a state that the pair have turned to the head of the singer’s Kabbalah group after communication between them collapsed.
The couple have reportedly been attending private ‘teachings’ at their local center in Oxford Street, London, every Friday night. And, according to British tabloid reports, relations in the seven-year marriage are now so frosty that Madonna and Guy are hardly talking to each other the dinner table.
A source tells Britain’s News Of The World newspaper, “Things are in a bad way. Rather than speak to her directly, Guy will ask their son Rocco to ask Madge to pass the salt during dinner.”
Madonna, 49, is said to be taking the advice of rabbi Rav Philip Berg — who is also acting as a go-between for the Material Girl singer and Snatch director.
Adds the source, “There’s a growing tension and the children are finding it enormously difficult to deal with. Of course both parents want to protect the little ones.
“So Madge has asked Rav Berg to help guide her and Guy through the choppy waters.
“He’s always been on hand to advise Madonna. She has deep respect for his opinion.”
Speculation the couple’s marriage is in trouble has been rife for years. Last week, Madonna’s spokesmen denied internet rumors that divorce lawyers were getting involved.
But friends say the couple are leading increasingly separate lives—they have different interests; keep separate bedrooms; and rarely support each other in public. Guy most recently failed to show up to the Berlin launch of her debut as a movie director in Filth And Wisdom. Days later, he missed her big Oscars party and a New York fund raiser.
The source continues, “It really hurt Madonna that Guy failed to show up to these events.
“He just hasn’t taken as much interest as he once did in what she’s doing.
“Right now they’ve fallen out of love. Rav Berg’s job is to help them decide if it’s worth making a go of things.”
Another source close to Madonna is quoted by Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper as saying, “They are having counseling, which everyone who goes to the Kabbalah has.
“We call them teachings and Guy takes them very seriously, but for a while Madonna stopped going.
“Guy would go to meetings with the children on Friday nights, then Madonna would turn up for the dinner.
“For the past few weeks, though, she has been going for prayers. She and Guy have had joint blessings by her rabbi.
“Guy has another teacher called Marcus Weston who has been really supportive. It really hasn’t been an easy time in the Ritchie household.
“Madonna leaves for New York in a couple of days and will be staying at her recently extended and refurbished apartment.
“She is taking her kids and her entourage, not Guy, although he may well fly out for appearances’ sake.
“He just wants to be in London preparing for the release of his movie, RocknRolla, and spending some time with his friends.”
Apparently they didn’t choose well the marriage counselor. He didn’t help them as much as he should. I am sorry they are divorcing. I liked this couple.
Comment by Ada W. — 04 Apr