Mama Madonna: Baby No. 2

By Stef Mcdonald

10/13/1998 at 12:00 AM EDT

It will be baby No. 2 for Madonna, who announced that she is pregnant with a child fathered by her boyfriend, British director Guy Ritchie. A press statement released today through a representative of Madonna reads: "Madonna and British film director Guy Ritchie are happy to confirm that they are expecting a child at the end of the year. We would be grateful if the media would kindly allow us some privacy at this special time and we thank you all for your good wishes." Madonna, 41, has a three-year-old daughter, Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon (called Lola), from her relationship with trainer-turned-aspiring actor Carlos Leon. This will be the first child for Ritchie, 31. Madonna met the "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" director two years ago at a luncheon given by Sting's wife Trudie Styler, and in a recent PEOPLE cover story she confirmed that she was in love. "It's excellent," she said. "It's a serious relationship." She also admitted to wanting more children "sooner rather than later." Rumors of an actual pregnancy began circulating when Madonna was spotted leaving a London women's clinic last week. She has been dividing her time between her rented house in London and her Los Angeles home.