By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
March 21, 2000
A brief statement said the prospective parents “are happy to confirm the rumors that they are expecting a child at the end of this year.”
“We would be grateful if the media would kindly allow us some privacy at this special time, and we thank you all for your good wishes,” said Ritchie, director of “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.”
Madonna, 41, and Ritchie, 31, met two years ago at a luncheon given by Sting’s wife, Trudie Styler. Their romance was rekindled when Madonna returned to London last fall.
Madonna, who divorced actor Sean Penn in 1989, has a 3-year-old daughter, Lourdes, from her relationship with Carlos Leon, a personal trainer.
HER TWO DADS
What does it take to justify Madonna’s love?
Here’s the breakdown of the two hotties who have fathered Material Babes:
Guy Ritchie
Age: 31
Looks: Tall, dapper, sandy haired and clean shaven. Paparazzi have yet to shoot him sans shirt. Think hip CEO.
Career high: Directed indie hit “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.”
Like Madonna: Speaks with British accent (but his is real).
Met Madonna: Lunching at Mr. and Mrs. Sting’s castle.
What she says: “I don’t think I’ve ever been happier in my life. … Before Guy, about every five minutes I thought, ‘All men are pathetic’.”
Seal of approval: Madonna has agreed to appear in Ritchie’s as-yet-untitled next film.
Carlos Leon
Age: 33
Looks: Tall, well muscled, dark and goateed. Very buff. Think rock star.
Career high: Guest starred on “Nash Bridges.”
Like Madonna: Enjoys working out (but he gets paid for it).
Met Madonna: Jogging in Central Park.
What she says: “Fortunately, when I had my daughter
I was in a relationship with somebody [Leon] that I truly loved.”
Seal of approval: Madonna says Leon is an excellent father to Lourdes.
Sean Penn: The couple met in late 1984 and exchanged vows the following year as papparazzi flew in helicopters overhead trying to capture the moment on film. By the time Madonna released “Like a Prayer” in 1989, the mercurial-tempered couple had divorced.
Warren Beatty: They began dating during the filming of “Dick Tracy” in 1989 and broke up by the time the stinker was released in 1990.
Tony Ward: This nude model strutted his stuff in Madonna’s racy video for “Justify My Love” and then became her lover for a few months between late 1990 and early 1991. Now a top male model, Ward walks down the runway for the likes of Versace.
