Ronnie faces daunting divorce

2008-09-29 19:13

London - Ronnie Wood may have to pay out a staggering £50m divorce settlement.

The Rolling Stones guitarist's wife Jo has reportedly called in lawyers after pictures of him enjoying a romantic meal at London's Locanda Locatelli restaurant with 20-year-old lover Ekaterina Ivanova were published on Sunday.

Ronnie and the Russian waitress were first romantically linked in July after they fled to Ireland together but, after Ronnie returned to enter rehab, Jo had hoped to rebuild her marriage to the 61-year-old musician.

A friend of Jo told Britain's News of the World newspaper, who published the pictures of Ronnie and Ekaterina: "Jo has had enough of his behaviour. She feels humiliated, spurned and furious that her best friend has treated her like that.

"She has spoken with her legal team and they've made it clear she is in a terrifically strong position."

Jo, 53, could be entitled to half of Ronnie's estimated £70m fortune, but as his executive assistant, his personal management assistant, joint director of his music company Rockyarch and company secretary for his painting business Scream Art, Jo could also be awarded 20% of his earnings - including future payments.

A close friend of Ronnie - who has moved out of the home he shared with Jo into an apartment - insists his relationship with Ekaterina is serious.

The friend said: "Everyone has painted Ekaterina as a wild child but she was supporting Ronnie through rehab. She is committed to helping him remain sober.

"She is in love with him and they forget about the age difference when they are together. Even though she stays most nights they always leave separately.

"I know Jo was hoping he would dump Ekaterina and return home but that is not going to happen."

During their intimate dinner last week, Ekaterina was seen gazing into Ronnie's eyes and lovingly feeding him ice cream.

She was then seen snuggling her head into Ronnie's shoulder. - Bang Showbiz.com

- Bang