Rachel and Rod to divorce

Rachel Hunter has finally filed for divorce from Rod Stewart - four years after separating from the 57-year old rock star. The 32-year-old New Zealand-born model filed a simple four page suit in Los Angeles Superior Court, citing irreconcilable differences.

But now a bitter battle could be looming over the financial settlement - with Stewart said to be worth an estimated £100 million.

Hunter's attorney, Lance Spiegel, is demanding the right to return to court to amend the documents once a full account of the couple's separate assets has been carried out. And property rights are "still to be negotiated".

Rachel is reported to have been asking for a divorce since last year. One friend said: "She's been fighting to get a divorce for ages, but kept getting the knockback from Rod. Every time she asked him he said he wasn't ready and didn't want to rush things."

Her decision to go ahead and file with or without his consent follows an alleged clash at an awards ceremony in Monte Carlo last month, which the singer attended with current girlfriend Penny Lancaster and snubbed Rachel. Friends say she was "livid".

One said "Rachel thought they had respect for one another, but it doesn't look like that any more after what he's done."

The couple were married on 15 December 1990 at the Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church. They split in 1999 with Rachel saying she was too young to settle down.

Rachel already has custody of the couple's children - Renee, 10, and seven-year-old Liam - with Rod granted visitation rights.

But she may have a fight on her hands when it comes to cash and property.

Stewart - who grew up above his parents' newsagents shop in north London - has bought a string of expensive properties over the years: The Wood House, in Epping, Essex in 1987 for £1.2million; a Beverly Hills mansion in 1993 for £3.5million; a Palm Beach seafront house in 1994 for £3million, and Stargroves - a mansion at East Woodhay in Berkshire - in 1998 for £2.5million.

At the same time, the veteran rocker - who worked as a gravedigger before finding fame and fortune - is known to be notoriously financially cautious.

Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood described him as "tighter than two coats of paint," while former lover Britt Ekland complained: "He never bought me flowers or presents, not once - even at the height of our affair."

But Rachel will be aware of his reputation, after he romantically proposed marriage to her over a tuna sandwich. After the pair split, she had a short-lived fling with actor Michael Weatherly before having a relationship last year with Robbie Williams. Rachel spent some time in London with Robbie but after they spent Christmas together in Los Angeles, the 28-year-old singer "made it clear it just wasn't possible for them to continue," according to one friend, who added: "It wasn't a huge surprise for Rachel - she had seen it coming."

Meanwhile, Stewart has now spent over three years with the highprofile 31-year-old blonde model Penny.

But he has made it clear he has no plans to marry again, after his experiences with Rachel, and his marriage to actress Alana Hamilton, by whom he has two other children.

He also has a daughter by actress Kelly Emberg. He said last month: "It's time to close that chapter of my life and I owe it to Penny.

"We've been together three and a half years and are getting on marvellously and are very much in love.

"As to marriage in my future, Penny and I are more interested in a good solid relationship."