Madonna has managed to maintain a successful career despite having a large family. Since welcoming her first child in 1996, Madonna’s children have only increased in size with a couple of additions. When the pop icon welcomed her first child, her fans were astonished to see her become more settled.
According to Madonna, she was one of those who didn’t imagine having any kids, let alone a large family of her own. In 2017, during an interview with PEOPLE, Madonna opened up about her private life with her children as well as her challenging adoption experience. In 2020, the singer debuted her first tattoo, which featured each of her children’s initials on her wrist.
How Many Children Does Madonna Have?
Madonna is a mother to six children. The pop icon admitted that being a mother of six is not always easy. In January 2023, Madonna spoke with Vanity Fair, discussing details about her life, children, and relationship with them. The “Like a Virgin” singer stated that parenthood has been the most difficult battle of her life.
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In June 2023, after being hospitalized for a bacterial infection, Madonna took to Instagram to thank her six children. She wrote, “As a mother, you can really get caught up in the needs of your children and the seemingly endless giving. But when the chips were down, my children really showed up for me. I saw a side to them I had never seen before. It made all the difference.”
Who Are Madonna’s Children?
On October 14, 1996, Madonna welcomed her first child and daughter, Lourdes Leon, with her then-boyfriend, fitness trainer Carlos Leon. According to Madonna, Lourdes has always been the source of her happiness, and she wrote “Little Star” for her. Lourdes started her career in modeling in 2010, becoming a prominent fashion model over the years.
As of 2024, Lourdes has worked for Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty collection, Burberry, Marc Jacobs, Swarovski, and Mugler. In September 2021, Lourdes appeared on the cover of American Vogue with Anok Yai, Ariel Nicholson, Bella Hadid, Kaia Gerber, Precious Lee, Sherry Shi, and Yumi Nu.
Subsequently, in August 2022, Lourdes followed in her mother’s footsteps, releasing her debut song, “Lock&Key.” On August 11, 2000, The pop icon welcomed her second child and son, Rocco Ritchie, with director Guy Ritchie.
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In 2012, during an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Rocco stated that Madonna was a good mother who was also very strict. Rocco is now a model, actor, and great painter, with his most recent art display taking place in Miami. According to the pop icon, Rocco’s collection of paintings titled ‘Pack A Punch’ was inspired by Muay Thai fighters.”
Does Madonna Have Any Adoptive Children?
Aside from her biological children, Madonna has adopted four children. Her first adopted child, David Banda, was born in Malawi on September 24, 2005. Following the founding of her nonprofit foundation, Raising Malawi, in 2006, Madonna visited Malawi on a humanitarian mission in October 2006.
During their stay, she and Ritchie chose to adopt 1-year-old David from Home of Hope, an orphanage in Lilongwe, the capital city. In June 2022, David demonstrated dance moves and humor as he joined Madonna’s New York City Pride variety event.
David has frequently appeared in Madonna’s concerts as he has gotten older. Following Madonna’s divorce from Ritchie in 2008, she requested to adopt Mercy as a single mother from an orphanage in Blantyre, Malawi, in May 2009.
Although her application was initially denied, she was granted permission to adopt Mercy on June 12, 2009. Chifundo “Mercy” James was born in Malawi on January 22, 2006. In February 2017, Madonna adopted her youngest daughters, twins Stella and Estere, from Malawi.
Stella and Estere were born in Malawi on August 24, 2012. Madonna said, “It’s like they were always here. It didn’t take long for them to get acclimated.”
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Who Is the Father of Madonna’s Children?
Madonna wasn’t technically a single mom since she shared daughter Lourdes Leon with Carlos Leon, her trainer-actor partner at the time. However, Madonna had made it plain that she would do her parenting her way. Speaking with Oprah Winfrey in December 1996, Madonna said, “He knew what he was getting into when he rang my doorbell.”
After parting ways with Carlos Leon in May 1997, Madonna began dating filmmaker Guy Ritchie in 1998. Their son, Rocco Ritchie, was born in Los Angeles on August 11, 2000, and baptized in Scotland at Dornoch Cathedral in December 2000. Madonna and Ritchie married the next day at Skibo Castle. However, the pair eventually separated in 2008.
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