Superstar Madonna has described the custody battle over her son as one of the most “painful” experiences of her life, admitting it led her to contemplate taking her own life. The 67-year-old singer revealed that her spirituality was key in helping her cope with the bitter dispute with filmmaker and ex-husband Guy Ritchie over their son, Rocco, in 2016.
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Speaking on the On Purpose podcast with Jay Shetty, Madonna explained how her spiritual practice allowed her to reframe challenges as lessons rather than punishments. She said: “There were moments in my life where I wanted to cut my arms off. I actually contemplated suicide. I was like, I can’t take this pain anymore. But as soon as you understand that what’s happening to you is a challenge you are karmically meant to experience, you can view that event as a lesson and not punishment.”
The custody battle arose after Rocco remained in London with his father following a UK visit with Madonna on her world tour, refusing to return to the US for Christmas. The pair took the case to courts in New York and London, eventually reaching a settlement allowing Rocco to continue living with Ritchie in London. Madonna reflected on the impact, saying: “Even though my marriage didn’t work out, having someone try to take my child away felt like they might as well just kill me. I was on tour at the time, lying on the floor of my dressing room sobbing every night.”
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Madonna, a mother of six, has since reconciled with her son. She also adopted twin sisters Estere and Stella from Malawi in 2017, as well as son David Banda in 2006 and daughter Mercy James in 2009. Her eldest daughter is Lourdes, from her relationship with actor Carlos Leon. Alongside her personal struggles, Madonna remains one of the most iconic pop stars of all time, responsible for hits such as Holiday, Into The Groove and Vogue, and UK number one albums including Like A Virgin, Confessions On A Dance Floor and Like A Prayer.
