London: Pop superstar Madonna and her husband Guy Ritchie are reportedly having problems as friends claim they are living separate lives.

Their friend revealed that Madonna and Guy have even divided their home into quarters and avoid each other, thesun.co.uk reports. The two have been living as flat mates "who pass in the night" and don't behave as husband and wife.

In January, Ritchie got a new wing of the house furnished while Madonna took another quarter for herself.

One of their friends said: "The marriage is hanging by a thread. No one doubts they adore their three kids - but the children seem to be the only reason they are living this strange loveless existence."

The friend added: "There were rows after Guy didn't turn up at Madonna's Raising Malawi fundraiser at the UN headquarters in New York last month. The event was incredibly important to her. Guy also wasn't present at his wife's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame dinner last week."