Madonna is a seven-time Grammy-winning artist and an icon in the music industry — and she's also a proud mom.
Madonna is both a biological and adoptive mother and speaks often about her journey of building a family that is as unconventional but intentional as her own life. In one of her final social media posts of 2024, the singer shared a photo that brought all six of her children together with her own father.
"We are born into families and we create our own," she wrote in part. "As time goes by I am more and more appreciative of these microcosms of life that Dance around me and teach me lessons every day."
The world’s best-selling female recording artist of all time, according to the Guinness World Records, has six kids: Lourdes, Rocco, David, Mercy and twins Stella and Estere.
For more on the pop star’s children, read below.
Lourdes Leon (1996) — eldest daughter with Carlos Leon
Madonna’s first child, Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon, was born Oct. 14, 1996. Lourdes' father is Carlos Leon, a personal trainer who dated the "Like a Prayer" singer from 1994 until 1997, according to People.
As the daughter of one of the most famous people in the world, Lourdes grew up under her mother’s watchful eye while learning essential life lessons. In 2021 profile for Interview Magazine, she credited her mom for instilling financial independence in her.
“We don’t get any handouts in my family. Obviously, I grew up with extreme privilege. There’s no denying that. But I think my mom saw all these other kids of famous people, and she was like, ‘My kids are not going to be like this,’” Lourdes explained. "My mom is such a control freak, and she has controlled me my whole life. I needed to be completely independent from her as soon as I graduated high school.”
After attending the University of Michigan, Leon transferred to the State University of New York at Purchase, where she enrolled in its rigorous dance conservatory, according to Vanity Fair. In a September 2021 interview with Vogue, Lourdes said that she paid for her own college education.
After college, Lourdes' focus turned to financial security, which prompted her mother to offer some insight.
"I’ve been so concerned with making a decent living, and wanting to live more luxuriously than I was when I first graduated and wasn’t earning a lot of money," Lourdes recalled in the 2021 interview with Interview. “She was like, ‘Remember, this s--- is not real. It’s not about the money or your face or how hot you look. It’s about what you’re bringing into the world and what you’re going to leave behind.’ That always shakes me awake when I get too caught up in everything.”
What does Lourdes Leon do for work?
Lourdes made her runway debut in 2018 at New York Fashion Week. She has since has appeared in various campaigns for Swarovski, Miaou and Marc Jacobs. In her 2021 interview with Vogue, she appeared on the cover alongside other models changing the industry.
In 2022, Lourdes broke into the music scene with her debut single. Performing as Lolahol, the single is called “Lock & Key,” and features an electronica sound different from her mother’s catalogue.
Madonna gave her seal of approval on Lourdes’ foray into music, sharing the video on her Instagram story with the caption, “I am so proud of you Lola!”
In 2023, she released two singles under Chemical X, an imprint of the Mad Decent record label. That year, she shared how the music video for her song, “Spelling,” served as an homage to her mother's 2009 hit "Frozen."
"That piece has come up countless times in my life, connecting the two of us," she wrote in the caption for her post. "I would be nothing without the woman who brought me into the world . I revere her, and hope that this translates."
What did Madonna say about her daughter?
In a May 2019 interview with British Vogue, Madonna expressed how “insanely talented” Lourdes is.
“I’m green with envy because she’s incredible at everything she does — she’s an incredible dancer, she’s a great actress, she plays the piano beautifully, she’s way better than me in the talent department,” the “Like a Virgin” singer said.
Rocco Ritchie ( 2000) — son with Guy Ritchie
On Aug. 11, 2000, Madonna welcomed Rocco with her second ex-husband, Guy Ritchie, though they weren’t married at the time of Rocco’s birth.
Four months after he was born, Rocco was baptized at the Dornoch Cathedral in Scotland, according to BBC. The next day, Madonna wed Ritchie.
David Banda (2005) — adopted from Malawi
Madonna’s third child, son David Banda, was born in September 2005. In 2008, the “Vogue” singer adopted him from the Home of Hope orphanage in Lilongwe, Malawi, in southeastern Africa.
According to People, David was battling pneumonia and malaria at the time, and Madonna instantly felt a connection to him when she met him. But after she adopted him and brought him back to live with her in London in 2008, she quickly became scrutinized by the media.
“Every newspaper said I kidnapped him,” Madonna recalled to People. “In my mind, I was thinking, ‘Wait a minute. I’m trying to save somebody’s life. Why are you all s---ing on me right now?’ I did everything by the book. That was a real low point for me. I would cry myself to sleep.”
What does David Banda do for work?
David is a budding model. In September 2024, he made his New York Fashion Week debut when he walked the Off-White runway, according to People.
One thing she admires greatly about David is his work ethic, and it reminds her so much of her own.
“What he has more than anything is focus and determination,” Madonna said to Vogue in 2019. “I’m pretty sure he got it from me. He’s the one I have the most in common with. I feel like he gets me; he has more of my DNA than any of my children so far. Let’s see what happens — it’s still early days for everyone.”
Another thing David shares in common with the “Vogue” singer: her iconic sense of style. So much so, he’s even been seen wearing pieces from her actual closet.
“He’ll put on any outfit and look swag as you know what. It’s really irritating. He wears my clothes and looks better in them,” Madonna told Jimmy Fallon, remarking that he can wear a dress and make it look great.
“You know he makes music now, too,” Madonna also mused during her interview with the late-night host.
In response, Fallon listed off a list of her son’s talents, noting that “he’s got it,” including magic, humor, charm and a gift for athleticism.
She remarked, “He’s going to end up being one of your guests.”
Mercy James (2009) — adopted from Malawi
In 2009, Madonna became a mother again when she returned to Malawi to adopt her second daughter, Mercy. Mercy was born in January 2006. That same year, Madonna founded The Mercy James Institute for Pediatric Surgery and Intensive Care.
While giving a speech at the opening ceremony of The Mercy James Institute for Pediatric Surgery and Intensive Care, which Madonna founded and named after her daughter, the “La Isla Bonita” singer said that Mercy’s adoption process was anything but easy.
“I was granted permission to adopt David first. And some time later, I filed a petition to adopt Mercy. But this time, the judge who was presiding said no. I was recently divorced, and she informed me, as a divorced woman, I was not fit to raise children and that Mercy James was better off growing up in an orphanage,” Madonna said, per People.
Madonna shared that she met Mercy around the same time she met David. At the time, Mercy was battling malaria. Holding Mercy in her arms, Madonna whispered words of encouragement, telling her she would grow up to be a “strong” and “healthy” adult.
Madonna kept that promise, even though Malawi officials didn’t like the fact that Madonna was a single mom after her 2008 divorce to Guy Ritchie.
“I hired a team of lawyers, and I took my case to the Supreme Court, and it was not an easy battle,” Madonna said.
“The adoption laws in Malawi had not been reformed since the early ’40s, and it had not occurred to anyone to change them yet. So my argument was that women have been raising children for centuries, on their own … not to mention the fact that I was doing just fine raising my own three children,” she continued.
After a tough legal battle, Madonna won the right to adopt Mercy. She tells anyone who is going through the same thing to “never, ever give up on your dreams.”
In January 2024, Madonna celebrated Mercy's 18th birthday during her performance at Madison Square Garden. While Mercy sat onstage at the piano, ready to accompany her mother to 1992’s “Bad Girl,” Madonna led the audience in an enthusiastic rendition of “Happy Birthday” in her daughter’s honor.
After the song, Madonna said, “Stand up, stand up beautiful girl. Look at this queen! That’s what a beautiful queen looks like!”
Estere and Stella Ciccone (2017) — adopted from Malawi
In February 2017, Madonna seemingly completed her family when she adopted twins Estere and Stella in Malawi. The girls were born in August 2012.
The singer celebrated her two youngest kids in a sweet birthday post on Aug. 25, 2023.
Alongside a video sharing some of their moments together as a family, set to a slowed-down cover version of Tears For Fears’ song “Mad World,” Madonna wrote she couldn’t believe the two are now 11 years old.
“It is indeed a Mad world that we live in. And where would we be without the innocence and imagination of our children to remind us that Magic is all around us and anything is possible!” she captioned the birthday post. “How could you be 11 years old already?”
She added that the two are “the most magical twins in the world” and that when she looks at old videos of them, she wants to “cry!!”
She also opened up about the moment she met them.
“I will never forget The first time we met you in Machinji,” she wrote. “Your eyes held the whole world in them. The same way we now hold you locked inside of our hearts.
“In a way…. we are all displaced children, looking for connection. looking for love, ♥️. Looking for a home which is ultimately ourselves!”
For their 10th birthday, Madonna shared a heartwarming video that featured photos and videos of her girls over the years.
“Happy birthday Estere and Stella Mwale! You both bring so much Love- Laughter and Light ✨✨ into all of our lives!! I cannot believe you’re already 10 years old!” she wrote at the time.
