In what may be the final blow to their already shaky marriage, Nicole Richie celebrated her birthday alone while hubby Joel Madden worked, The National ENQUIRER has learned.
Now friends fear they’re headed for a $20 million divorce!
“The fact that they were apart on her birthday is a good indication of where these two are at,” said a concerned close pal. “They’re living separate lives, and Joel not being there for Nicole’s special day is a very bad sign.”Joel only recently reunited with Nicole after spending months in Australia as a judge on “The Voice,” said a source.
But he the former “Good Charlotte” bandmate was “too busy” performing in Baltimore to spend Nicole’s 33rd birthday on Sept. 21 with her and their two kids, the source said. “Nicole and Joel are like ships that pass in the night these days,” an insider told The ENQUIRER. “They barely spend time together, and when they do, it’s tense. Joel meddles in just about everything.”
The tension between them has taken a major toll on Nicole, who’s appeared increasingly gaunt and emaciated. As The ENQUIRER has reported, Joel has been pressuring his wife to add to their brood. But she’s refused because he’s been an absent dad. “Joel is furious,” a close pal added. “He desperately wanted another baby.” , and they had an agreement to try and get pregnant before he went to Australia earlier this year.”Joel, 35, has just released an album, twin brother Benji recently released their first album as “The Madden Brothers,”and insiders say Nicole has been super stressed with juggling both career and kids – daughter Harlow, 6, and son Sparrow, 5 – while Joel focuses on his music.
To make matters worse, rail-thin Nicole has been working overtime on her reality TV show, “Candidly Nicole,” friends say. “Nicole has thrown herself into work and Joel has a new album coming out, which means they’re exhausted on the rare occasions they do get to spend time together,” added the pal.The couple began dating in Dec. 2006 and tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in Dec. 2010.An insider said: “Nicole and Joel have fought hard in the past to work out their issues – and stick together. B but right now it doesn’t look good.”
