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Ron Wood Wants To Have His Cake And Eat It Too

Both Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood and his wife of 23 years, Jo, have met with their legal representatives within the last few days, and it is presumed that they are entering the early stages of divorce proceedings.

The 61-year-old rock star, who is estimated to be worth about $70 million, met with his legal team for about four hours yesterday. One might guess that they are working on a plan to protect his assets, but with the well-known support that his wife Jo has provided with him during their years together, Wood and his lawyers may be in for a tough battle if he plans to fight any large settlements that his wife’s legal team may be counting on.

From all reports, the responsibility for the events that led up to the couple’s current marital problems rest squarely on the shoulders of Ron Wood – a man that appears to be, as the lyrics from the 70’s pop hit go, torn between two lovers.

A recent drinking binge by Wood, who has had more than his share of problems with alcohol in the past, appears to have started the famous couple down this path. He reportedly spent several days at his home in Ireland with his new girlfriend, 20-year-old Ekaterina Ivanova, during his fall from the wagon. He later returned to England and checked himself into rehab.

Although wife Jo was hopeful that he would put an end to what she may have presumed was just an alcohol-fueled fling with a younger woman, Wood was said to have continued seeing Ivanova during his stay in rehab and has been seen with her since his stay in rehab ended.

Wood was quoted as saying that, “I love my wife, but I have a girlfriend and I love her too.”

Not an enviable position for any married man to find himself in.

It is unclear at this point how the issues Wood is dealing with in his personal life will effect his work with the Rolling Stones or the tentative plans he had with Rod Stewart for a Faces reunion that was said to have included some recording time in the studio this fall, and a tour in the winter.

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Tags: Divorce, Ekaterina Ivanova, Jo, Ron Wood, Wife

Twists And Turns In Latest From The Ronnie Wood Saga

This one is starting to feel a little bit like the Led Zeppelin thing. Will they (tour) or won’t they?

A few days back, one of the U.K. tabloids was reporting that Wood’s wife of 23 years was planning to leave him and move to the U.S. and work on promoting her brother’s art business. Well, perhaps not.

Yesterday, U.K. celebrity gossip magazine Now, reported that despite Ekaterina Ivanova’s claim that Wood plans to move in with her following his release from rehab, and that the two are in love, other sources close to Wood’s family are saying that "Ekaterina is living in a fantasy world. To say she has won Ronnie is ridiculous, particularly as there isn’t a competition. Ronnie is still trying to save his marriage and Jo is desperate to see him nursed back to health."

Despite previous speculation, including on my part, Ivanova claims it’s not about the money and that she never pursued Wood. She also says there is a very strong connection between them even though others are saying that the 61-year-old rock legend’s fling with the young Russian beauty was the result of a nasty fall off the wagon.

Call me a traditionalist or whatever, but I’m still convinced that attractive young ladies don’t fall in love with 61-year-old rock stars based on genuine "love." I still say it’s about the money, and although I won’t go as far as saying that it is impossible for her to truly be in love with him, I will say that I think it’s extraordinarily unlikely.

As for Wood, the lure of a tryst with a young lady like Ekaterina Ivanova is not hard to imagine, but beyond the physical aspect of a relationship like that, I suspect there’s little else left to build a meaningful and lasting relationship upon.

I know that they say females of our species mature faster than males, but even so, when I was in my early 20’s I really didn’t know where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do. I made some very poor decisions along the way, which fortunately left me mentally (some would argue that point) and financially intact. The point being that many people in their early 20’s may be a bit too young to be making decisions about true love and lasting commitments, whereas people in their 60’s should be wise enough to recognize a huge mistake when they see it hurtling towards them.

That concludes our session for today. Please stop by the receptionist’s window located near the waiting room on the way out to arrange for payment or provide your insurance information.

Tags: Affair, Ekaterina Ivanova, Ronnie Wood

Torn Between Two Lovers: Ron Wood Can’t Seem To Make Up His Mind

Recent word suggested that Rolling Stone Ron Wood was banned from contact with both his wife and his alleged girlfriend, 18, 19 or 20-year-old (depending on which news source you read) Ekaterina Ivanova. Well into his 6-week stay in rehab, it was thought that talking with either his wife or girlfriend might not be the best thing for his rehabilitation.

Apparently, Wood has decided to flaunt the rules and arranged for a visit by his Russian girlfriend. Ivanova was reportedly supplied with a car and a chauffeur in order to facilitate her visits to the 61-year-old rocker where the Wood was said to have introduced his new love interest to everyone as his girlfriend.

The couple was also said to have locked themselves in the library for a time during her visit before going outside to smoke a cigarette, after which Ivanova was driven back to her hotel. Wood’s probably picking up the tab for that as well.

Wood is apparently in the throes of quite a dilemma, and has proclaimed his love for both Ivanova and his 53-year-old wife of 23 years, Jo. He’s said to have told Joe that he loves both her and Ivanova and is not able to choose between them.

In addition to being treated for alcohol and drug addictions, Wood is also said to be receiving treatment for a sex addiction. I guess that helps explain the new girlfriend.

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Wood’s stint in rehab is set to end in about two weeks, and he will likely be facing an ultimatum from one or both of his lovers. After 23 years with his wife, it’s unlikely that she’ll fade quietly into the background. I don’t know how divorce law works on the U.K, but of Paul McCartney’s nearly $50 million dollar settlement is any indication, Wood could be headed down the road towards putting a bit of a dent in his bank account.

Tags: Ekaterina Ivanova, Jo, Rehab, Ron Wood, Ronnie

Rolling Stones Consider Touring Without Ronnie Wood

Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood surely has his share of troubles these days. An alleged affair with a Russian teen and a steep fall off the wagon and into rehab have likely turned the the Stones legend’s life upside-down. There are also reports that his marriage may be on the rocks and that he is making every attempt to salvage it.

With Wood apparently quite occupied with other matters, the rest of the group has a tour on their minds and they may decide to give it a go with or without the presence of Ronnie Wood.

The driving force behind the idea of a tour regardless of Wood’s presence seems to be Mick Jagger, who is said to want to embark on at least one more tour before he turns 65 years old. Keith Richards is also approaching that number, which is a number that is often indicative of retirement.

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Wood’s band mates are said to be quite surprised at the turn of events that has led to problems with his marriage, which was well known for being very stable. Adding his problems with alcohol to the equation sets a formidable challenge in front of Wood if he hopes to join the rest of the group on a tour in the near future.

The U.K. tabloids continue to have a field day with the Wood story, and, according to the manager of the drinking establishment where Wood reportedly met the young Ekaterina Ivanova, the Russian beauty never worked there as it was reported, and Ronnie Wood has never been inside the place.

Ekaterina’s mother is said to be quite upset about the whole incident, particularly things being said about her daughter that she says are lies.

Tags: Ekaterina Ivanova, Mick Jagger, Rolling Stones, Ronnie Wood, tour

Stones Guitarist Falls Off Wagon Into Arms of Teen Lover?

Word from the British press is that Rolling Stones guitar man, Ron Wood, is drinking again and has run off with an 18-year-old Russian girl that he met in a London drinking establishment.

There are conflicting reports about whether or not the two are a romantic item or not. Wood’s wife of 31 years claims she is aware that the young Russian has accompanied Wood to his home in Ireland, but says he is going there to work on his painting, and that another fellow who is involved with Wood’s artwork is also there.

For her part, 18-year-old Ekaterina Ivanova says she is falling in love with Wood and that he is planning to leave his wife to be with her.

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One point that everyone seems to agree upon is that Ron Wood is drinking heavily, consuming two bottles of vodka a day. One report claims he is so out of it that he does not even know where he is.

Concerned band members and friends are said to have called him in an effort to get him back on the straight-and-narrow, but have so far been unsuccessful. Among those who have reached out to Wood include Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Rod Stewart.

With the recent talk of Wood and Rod Stewart teaming up to reunite The Faces, it has to make fans wonder whether Wood will be up to the task.

Tags: Drinking, Ekaterina Ivanova, Ron Wood, Russian