By Kat Giantis
Special to MSN Entertainment

Is Guy Ritchie following through on a promise he made shortly
before he and Madonna tied the knot in 2000, when he vowed he wouldn’t
take a cent from his moneybags missus if their marriage fizzled?

That’s the word from the British press, which says the brawny pop icon, 50,
and the director, 40, have reached a divorce settlement that ensures she’ll exit
the union with her estimated $500 million fortune intact.

“Ritchie could have taken her to the cleaners,” an insider tells the London
Evening Standard. “He is a very honorable man to have walked away.”

Madonna hits a UNICEF
dinner in New York on Nov. 19. (©AP) More photos

Seconds a source to the Times of London, “He could have hugely boosted his
bank balance and set himself up for life, but he already feels he has enough
money. He also didn’t want the whole thing dragging on in the public gaze for
months and months and, in any case, his priority was the children’s future.”

According to the Associated Press, the couple will be granted a preliminary
divorce decree on Friday in London’s High Court. The split should become final
about six weeks later. Neither Madonna nor Ritchie is expected to attend what
should be a brief hearing.

Guy, who is believed to be worth an estimated $50 million, was labeled “gold-digger” in the insult-flinging aftermath of the split. Under British
law, he was entitled to a considerable chunk of Madonna’s estate, and many
predicted he’d land a record-setting payday.

Instead, concessions were reportedly made on custody issues regarding sons
Rocco, 8, and David, 3.

Madonna is said to have wanted the tykes to relocate to New York with her and
12-year-old daughter Lourdes (her dad is Carlos Leon), while Ritchie wanted them
to remain in London. Now, in a compromise, they will apparently divide their
time between both countries.

This week, Rocco and David were spotted hanging out on the Liverpool set of
their dad’s currently filming flick, “Sherlock Holmes,” while Madonna took a
breather from her “Sticky & Sweet” tour to hit a charity gala in New York
decked out in Veronica Lake’s hair and a piece of sod in desperate need of
mowing and a healthy dose of weed killer.

Photos: Madonna’s many looks

rel=stylesheet>

downlevel descriptionThis video requires the Adobe® Flash® Player.
Download a free version of the player.