Starstruck

We all just love to read or listen to gossips about the life of a certain celebrity. But what happens when two stars join forces in the bounds of holy matrimony and, thus, manage to hold the first page of all the newspapers? Not to mention the madness that ensues if the respective famous couple engenders a child...

We thought we could take a peek at some of the world's most famous families ever and their offsprings.

First in line is, of course, the Brangelina couple. Although not legally married, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie form a true family since their baby girl, Shiloh Nouvelle Jolie-Pitt, was born just a few days ago. They met on the set of 'Mr. and Ms. Smith', fell in love but continued to deny allegations of being together until Pitt's divorce of ex-'Friends' actress Jennifer Aniston. When they finally came out of the closet, the media went positively head over heels. It was the topic of the year!

People had another surprise coming. When we thought that things just can't get more interesting, the news that Jolie was pregnant came as a wave that swept the entire planet. Imagine a child to inherit the features (and fortunes) of the most beautiful people in the world!

'The chosen one', as one tabloid maliciously named their baby, was born and another wave of media frenzy came to replace the former one: who is to have the exclusive rights for Shiloh's pictures? How much did the involved magazines bid at the auction and what is the real sum that was paid? The truth is? we might never learn the truth. But the estimated sums are from $700.000 to 4.1 million. That's a lot of money for a couple of pictures! Even the 'National Enquirer', that usually buys all the stories published in its pages, scoffed.

Moving on to the number 2 position, we find the golden British family, David and Victoria Beckham. They do not represent a novelty on the news stage because they rushed in and got married a few years ago. But they still manage to hold the headlines, as Victoria seems to be very keen on child-bearing and breeding. Apparently, it takes just a couple of years to pass by for her giving birth to another Beckham child. And, if that doesn't happen, there is always much to write about the outrageous presents that the 3 children receive from their parents (we are referring here to the personalized diamond encrusted snickers). But we excuse them because they still look absolutely wonderful together, because they managed to get past by a severe marital crisis and David can still play football!

Position number 3 goes to Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. Despite the gross difference of age, they do indeed seem to be very in love. And, what's more, they now have a child together. Mission impossible or not, the couple plans to go legit and to tie the knot very soon. The prenup has been signed, the parties came to a final agreement; the only thing that's left is for them to actually perform the ceremony.

Until then, Katie's parents have come to terms with the fact that their daughter is living with a man she admired when she was just a little girl and stopped trying to tear the happy couple apart. The fact that she is to get $3 million for each year she stays married to Tom, as the prenuptial contract stipulates, was probably checked as a pro-argument in their decision.

Famous family number 4: Madonna and Guy Ritchie. A short resume of it would say: she, the scandalous and controversial queen of pop, marries him, debutant director endowed with genuine cinematographic talent. After the ceremony, Madonna becomes suddenly settled down and entirely stoppes shocking people; she has her second child and begins writing children's books and music. A little boring, one must say...

A few years ago, the Madonna-Ritchie couple stepped out of the limelight, retiring to the United Kingdom and leaving us all gossip-lovers gasping for air. At one moment, rumors said that they were breaking up and, then, nothing was heard either to confirm or deny them. Seriously now, what happened to the Madonna that did everything publicly? ? Well, in the light of recent events (see her again outrageous stage performances in the "Confessions on a Dance Floor" Tour), she still has it, and no London property or British husband can take it away from her.

Enter pop princess Britney Spears and hubby number 2, Kevin Federline. This family is like that game 'She loves him, she loves him not'. First, she marries him, a dancer on her team, after 6 months of knowing each other. Then, she has his child. And then, she gets pregnant for the second time and kicks Kev down in the basement, becoming friendly with yet another staff member, the "he nanny". Finally, she announces the world that she plans to divorce him and even signs the papers to prove it.

The Britney-Kev couple stands as the perfect example for what not to do when you get married. Marriage is an institution, not just a fun thing to do as Brit seems to believe.

For the final position we are going international: Nadia Comaneci and Bart Conner. Both are public figures but they actually did something to deserve all this fame. Comaneci (44) was the first athlete to get a perfect 10 at the Olympics; Bart was also a successful gymnast. They have been happily married for over 10 years now.

The baby boy, Paul Dylan, was born this past week and a magazine bought his first pictures for the sum of $1 million. It didn't specify if the money would go to charity.

To sum up: it's good money when you're a star. But it gets even better when you have children, little stars on their own. Keep you posted.