Madonna and Guy Ritchie have finally come out with news everyone has suspected for months -- and, no, it's not that they admit RockNRolla is kind of balls.

The pair has split, Madonna's long-time rep, Liz Rosenberg, confirmed today in a statement.

"Madonna and Guy Ritchie have agreed to divorce after 7 1/2 years of marriage," said Rosenberg. "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."

Neither Madonna nor Ritchie have made any formal comments on the break-up. Madonna is still in the thick of her Stick and film shoot in France and is back in London to clear his stuff out of the family home, reports the UK's Daily Mail.

According to British tab The Sun, the marriage has been on the rocks for about as long as there've been rumours (way to pat yourselves on the back, fellas. That's dirt well dug). Madonna, however -- ever the lovable micro-manager -- was planning on keeping the split mum until a more career-enhancing moment, like after her world tour had wrapped. (Or, you know, right now -- considering she's got her directorial debut premiering in New York and L.A. this weekend. The North American ticket sales for her tour could reportedly use a little boost, too.) The paper, however, says it was Ritchie who finally demanded the divorce -- weary from playing the part of happy arm candy.

Says the Sun's "source": "Despite huge attempts to patch things up, they both knew deep down that divorce was in the cards. It wasn't a matter of 'if' but 'when.' They tried hard over the past few months, but their fighting was getting out of control.

As for why Madonna, 50, and Ritchie, 40, decided to call it quits, the gossips of the world are covering more bases than just the A-Rod angle. Says The Sun, the couple had been viciously bickering for ages -- fighting over everything from where to live (the U.S. or the U.K.) and whether to add a new adopted kid to their collection (Madonna was pro; Ritchie was against).

When you reach Toronto this weekend, Madge, be sure to use the waterproof mascara. For now, though, let's look back on happier, quick-cutting, shoot-em-up times (and no, we're not referring to Swept Away) between Madonna and her fox-hunting former boy toy.

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