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Britney Spears files for divorce Britney Spears files for divorce
(about 8 hours later)
Pop star Britney Spears and her husband, Kevin Federline, have filed for divorce, court officials in Los Angeles say. Pop star Britney Spears has filed for divorce from husband Kevin Federline citing "irreconcilable differences".
Spears, 24, who married 28-year-old Federline in 2004, will seek custody of their two children, court papers say. The couple wed in 2004, just months after Spears annulled her marriage to childhood friend Jason Alexander.
The documents cited "irreconcilable differences" for the divorce. The singer, 24, will seek custody of the couple's two children, with visitation rights for Federline, 28.
Spears's previous marriage, to childhood friend Jason Alexander, was annulled two days after the couple exchanged vows in Las Vegas in 2004. The day before divorce papers were filed Spears gave a TV interview but gave no hint of marriage problems. She was later seen ice-skating in New York.
BRITNEY'S LIFE AND TIMES Dec 1981 - Britney Spears born in Kentwood, LouisianaJanuary 1999 - Debut single and album both top chartsMay 2000 - releases second album, Oops!... I Did It AgainJan 2003 - Marries childhood friend Jason Alexander - the marriage is annulled after 55 hoursSeptember 2004 - Marries Kevin Federline after whirlwind romanceSeptember 2005 - Gives birth to Sean Preston FederlineJune 2006 - A tearful and heavily pregnant Spears goes on TV to deny her marriage is in troubleSeptember 2006 - Gives birth to second son - Jayden JamesNovember 2006 - Appears on Late Night with David Letterman without wedding ringNovember 2006 - Files for divorce href="/1/hi/entertainment/6127298.stm" class="">Britney's highs and lows Federline's lawyer said his client had no comment.
Spears gave birth to her first child by Federline - Sean Preston - last year. BRITNEY'S LIFE AND TIMES Dec 1981 - Britney Spears born in Kentwood, LouisianaJanuary 1999 - Debut single and album both top chartsMay 2000 - releases second album, Oops!... I Did It AgainJan 2003 - Marries childhood friend Jason Alexander - the marriage is annulled after 55 hoursSeptember 2004 - Marries Kevin Federline after whirlwind romanceSeptember 2005 - Gives birth to Sean Preston FederlineJune 2006 - A tearful and heavily pregnant Spears goes on TV to deny her marriage is in troubleSeptember 2006 - Gives birth to second son - Jayden JamesNovember 2006 - Appears on Late Night with David Letterman without wedding ringNovember 2006 - Files for divorce href="/1/hi/entertainment/6127298.stm" class="">Britney's highs and lows The couple had their first child - Sean Preston - last year.
The couple announced the birth of their second child, named as Jayden James Federline in the divorce paper, in September. They announced the birth of their second son, named as Jayden James Federline in the divorce paper, in September.
Skating trip
The documents state the day of separation as 6 November.
In the divorce papers, Spears asks that each party pay their own legal fees and does not request spousal support.
She also requests assets including "miscellaneous jewellery and other personal effects" and her earnings from after the separation date be confirmed as separate from her husband's property.
Shortly after the papers were filed in Los Angeles, Spears was seen ice skating at the Rockefeller Center in New York.
A video of the outing has appeared on the internet, and shows the singer looking happy - if a little unsteady on her feet.
Worth $123mWorth $123m
The divorce papers state the day of separation as 6 November.
In the documents, Spears asks that each party pay their own legal fees and does not request spousal support.
She also requests assets including "miscellaneous jewellery and other personal effects" and her earnings from after the separation date be confirmed as separate from her husband's property.
Spears has sold more than 60 million albums since her pop debut in 1998 with the UK number one single, Baby... One More Time.Spears has sold more than 60 million albums since her pop debut in 1998 with the UK number one single, Baby... One More Time.
Her personal wealth was estimated at about $123m in 2004 by Forbes business magazine.Her personal wealth was estimated at about $123m in 2004 by Forbes business magazine.
She's a strong woman and she knows what she wants out of life Kevin Federline on Britney Spears She announced her marriage to Federline in September of that year, although divorce papers reveal that the couple were not officially married until 6 October. The singer's first marriage, in January of that year, lasted just 55 hours.
Her record company said the wedding, which took place in Las Vegas, had simply been a joke that went too far.
She's a strong woman and she knows what she wants out of life Kevin Federline on Britney Spears Spear's announced her marriage to Federline the following September, although divorce papers reveal that the couple were not officially married until 6 October.
Federline was, at the time, a dancer who had performed with Justin Timberlake and Michael Jackson.Federline was, at the time, a dancer who had performed with Justin Timberlake and Michael Jackson.
He has since launched his own music career, which has met with limited success.He has since launched his own music career, which has met with limited success.
Widely known as K-Fed by Spears's fans, he has two children by his former partner, TV actress Shar Jackson.Widely known as K-Fed by Spears's fans, he has two children by his former partner, TV actress Shar Jackson.
'Normal couple'Normal couple
Spears's hits include Toxic, Baby... One More Time and Slave 4 UThe state of the Spears's and Federline's marriage has been the focus of intense media speculation for months, with repeated reports the couple were planning to divorce.Spears's hits include Toxic, Baby... One More Time and Slave 4 UThe state of the Spears's and Federline's marriage has been the focus of intense media speculation for months, with repeated reports the couple were planning to divorce.
Last December Spears's spokeswoman Leslie Sloan denied reports the pair were planning to split and that Federline was seeking a $125m divorce settlement.Last December Spears's spokeswoman Leslie Sloan denied reports the pair were planning to split and that Federline was seeking a $125m divorce settlement.
"The story is untrue and hurtful," she said. "They are as normal as other couples. They fight, and they make up. They are fine and happy.""The story is untrue and hurtful," she said. "They are as normal as other couples. They fight, and they make up. They are fine and happy."
In a recent interview, Federline praised Spears for her positive influence on his life.In a recent interview, Federline praised Spears for her positive influence on his life.
"She's a strong woman and she knows what she wants out of life and that helps build a strong man," he told the Associated Press."She's a strong woman and she knows what she wants out of life and that helps build a strong man," he told the Associated Press.