Madonna and her film director husband, Guy Ritchie, were officially divorced today.
The couple, who were married for almost eight years, had their decree nisi announced in the high court in London at 10am. The hearing, which did not require either party to attend, lasted only a few minutes.
The case - Ciccone M L v Ritchie G S - was listed before District Judge Reid, along with 16 others "for pronouncement of decree or order under the special procedure rule".
If there are no disputes, then a decree nisi can become a decree absolute within six weeks and a day.
According to reports, the divorce has been finalised so quickly in part because the couple did not demand any formal financial settlement from each other.
A sworn statement released by the court showed that Madonna petitioned for divorce on the grounds of her husband's unreasonable behaviour.
In a question and answer form, she said the behaviour was continuing.
Asked whether they had lived together since the date of the petition for six months at the same address, the reply was "no". Madonna signed the affidavit in Beverley Hills, California.
In another document released by the court, Senior District Judge Philip Waller, who gave the go-ahead for the divorce, said he was satisfied that the court did not need to exercise its powers under the Children Act, nor give any directions under the Matrimonial Causes Act.
This would indicate that the couple reached a mutual settlement over their assets and the children before the divorce
Although they announced their divorce last month, Madonna, 50, had reportedly contacted leading divorce lawyer Fiona Shackleton in June. It is believed that Shackleton, who represented Paul McCartney in his battle with Heather Mills, and Ritchie's lawyer, Helen Ward, worked tirelessly to reach the agreement, which the couple wanted to finalise before Christmas.
The "quickie" divorce - in which both parties agree to all the terms of the divorce, including how to divide up numerous properties - will see their two sons, Rocco, eight, and David, three, adopted from Malawi in 2006, dividing their time between Britain and the US. Madonna's daughter Lourdes, 12, from a previous relationship, will continue to live with Madonna.
Ritchie, 40, who is believed to have his own £30m fortune, would have been able to petition for half of Madonna's wealth earned during the marriage. He is reported to have rejected a £20m settlement offered by Madonna last month.
Madonna is due to perform in Philadelphia tonight. Her agent said the couple would not be issuing a statement.
