Well-placed sources tell us the Ritchies plan to officially split in November or December -- after the Mrs.' upcoming "Sticky and Sweet" world tour. Why? Big bucks. The concerts are expected to earn close to $300 mil worldwide, and they've decided to ear mark that to provide for their three children's future.

And it gets better ... There is a whole PR strategy that has been in place for some time. We're told the Material Girl will be "very visible" in the months leading up to the tour to "generate a lot of publicity." That's when "news" of the marriage's demise would slowly leak out, causing tongues to wag -- and Madonna to be on the cover of papers and mags around the world. - more on this story

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