Brooke Shields, who extolled the virtues of virginity throughout her teens, tells Health mag she regrets not having had sex earlier in her life.

The model-turned-actress, who turns 44 on Sunday, says her biggest health regret is not learning to love her body at a younger age.

"And I think I would have had sex a lot earlier! I think I would have lost my virginity earlier than I did at 22. I had the public and all this pressure, and I wish I had just gotten it over with in the beginning when it was sort of OK. . . . And to me, that's a health regret."

James Brown case settled

I guess this means the Godfather of Soul finally can rest: A South Carolina court yesterday approved a final settlement in the gazillion-year dispute over the estate of James Brown, who died Christmas Day '06.

Nearly half of the estate will go to Brown's charitable trust, a quarter to his widow, Tomi Rae Hynie, and their young son, James Brown II, and the rest to Brown's adult children. It's estimated that after legal fees, Brown's assets are quite depleted. The real wealth lies in licensing fees for future musical releases and products.

Just a friend . . .

Jesus Luz has spoken up about his alleged love affair with pop goddess Madonna. The 22-year-old model tells the Brazilian TV program Fantástico that he and the 50-year-old singer are just friends. "She is my friend, only my friend," Jesus insists, adding that he and Madge aren't "going to the temple" to be married.

"Madonna is a person who I admire very much, a friend who has entered my life," Jesus said, adding that he doesn't care what names gossips call him. "They can write that I'm a 'toy boy' or 'boy toy.' And I won't care."

A fertile mind . . . and body

Mel Gibson, 53, is expecting his eighth baby - his first by his new gf, Russian musical beauty Oksana Grigorieva.

"This is true, we're having a child," Mel said, confirming that his 39-year-old babe is carrying his love child. The news comes just six weeks after Mel's wife, Robyn, filed for divorce after 28 years and seven kids.

Recently teased by Jay Leno about his prodigious output of offspring, Mel said, "I guess I'm Octomel now."

Wedding bells

Meg White, of garage-rock duo White Stripes, has just acquired the coolest mother-in-law in history - punk pioneer Patti Smith. Meg's rep announced yesterday that the drummer had on Friday wed Jackson Smith, Patti's son with the late MC5 guitarist Fred "Sonic" Smith. The double wedding in Nashville also joined together Jack Lawrence and his girlfriend Jo McCaughey. (Lawrence plays bass with White Stripes' Jack White in the bands the Raconteurs and the Dead Weather.)

Elvis' pills

Talk about a great catch: Julien's Auctions is selling off a collection of Elvis Presley's prescription pill bottles. (Sorry, pills are not included.) Sale items, which will be on view at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas until the auction begins on June 26, also include Marilyn Monroe memorabilia - a coffee table, clothes, and autographed pics. Info: www.juliensauctions.com.

Tony lineup announced

The June 7 Tony Awards show, which will air live on CBS, will feature a bevy of terrific celeb presenters, including Kristin Chenoweth, Jeff Daniels, Hope Davis, Edie Falco, Carrie Fisher, Jane Fonda, James Gandolfini, Marcia Gay Harden, Nicole Kidman, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Lange, Frank Langella, Angela Lansbury, Piper Perabo, Oliver Platt, Susan Sarandon, and Chandra Wilson. And that simply rocks.