Madonna’s Honest Admission About Dealing with ‘Painful’ Custody Battle

Madonna is opening up about one of the darkest chapters of her life. The pop icon revealed that she contemplated suicide while battling ex-husband Guy Ritchie over custody of their son, Rocco, in 2016.

Madonna Reflects On Custody Struggles With Guy Ritchie

During an appearance on Jay Shetty’s “On Purpose” podcast, Madonna, 66, recalled just how devastating the custody fight became. “There were moments in my life [where] I wanted to cut my arms off,” she admitted. “I actually contemplated suicide. That probably sounds really weird coming from me because I’m not emo … but I was like, ‘I can’t take this pain anymore.’”

The singer said she was on her Rebel Heart Tour at the time, which made the situation even harder. “I would just be lying on the floor of my dressing room, sobbing,” she explained. “I really thought it was the end of the world. I couldn’t take it.”

Madonna and Ritchie, who were married from 2000 to 2008, welcomed Rocco in 2000. The custody dispute began in late 2015 when Rocco, then 15, refused to return to New York for the holidays. By September 2016, the former couple reached a settlement that allowed Rocco to live with Ritchie in London.

“But thank God, I don’t feel that way anymore,” she added. She credited her spiritual journey for helping her cope. “Now I see difficult experiences as lessons rather than punishments.”

Family Life And Motherhood Today

Though the custody battle was painful, motherhood remains her greatest joy. The singer is a mom to six: Lourdes Leon, 28, with ex Carlos Leon; Rocco Ritchie, 25, with Ritchie; Mercy James, 19; David Banda, 19; and twins Stella and Estere, 12, all of whom she adopted.

On Mother’s Day 2025, she shared new family photos on Instagram featuring Lourdes, Mercy, David, Stella, and Estere — with Rocco absent as he continues to build his career as an artist in London. “I spent Mother’s Day weekend with 5 of my 6 children. Sunshine laughter, horseback riding, soccer, and the sound of music!” she wrote.

“The best gift they gave me was the gift of not arguing and being loving to one another,” she added. “When you raise children to be unique and opinionated, you also create your own debate team!!!”

She summed it up in her caption: “Motherhood could never be described with a few words. Nothing can prepare you. Happy Mother’s Day!! To All the Women out there doing the Heavy Lifting!”

Fans filled her comments with support, leaving notes like, “Happy Mother’s Day to our queen mother Madonna,” and, “They are so lucky to have you as their mother.”

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