London: Superstar Madonna has said the custody battle over her son was one of the most ‘painful’ moments of her life, which led her to contemplate taking her own life. The ‘Material Girl’ singer, 67, revealed that her spirituality helped her get through the bitter dispute she faced in 2016 with filmmaker and ex-husband Guy Ritchie over their son, Rocco.
According to Ghana News Agency, the popstar opened up on the ‘On Purpose’ podcast with Jay Shetty, explaining how her spiritual life has helped her overcome different challenges and view them as lessons rather than punishments. She expressed her deep anguish during that period, saying, “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.” Madonna emphasized the transformative power of understanding life’s challenges as karmic experiences meant for personal evolution.
When questioned about the specific moment that drove her to such despair, Madonna refrained from assigning blame but did highlight the custody battle with her son as a pivotal point. The conflict arose when Rocco chose to stay in London with his father after visiting the UK with Madonna on her world tour, refusing to return to the US for Christmas. The legal dispute extended across New York and London courts until a settlement allowed Rocco to live with his father in London.
Madonna reflected on the emotional turmoil of the situation, describing it as akin to a personal apocalypse. Her marriage to Ritchie, which began in 2000 and ended eight years later, culminated in a contentious effort to secure custody over Rocco. The singer shared the intense emotional distress she faced, often finding herself overwhelmed before her performances. She drew parallels between this experience and the trauma of losing her own mother, intensifying her fear of abandonment.
Despite the agony, Madonna credits her spiritual journey for helping her navigate the crisis. She acknowledged the internal struggles she faced and the growth she achieved in hindsight. Today, she enjoys a strong relationship with her son, a development she never foresaw during the custody dispute. The singer expressed gratitude for her spiritual practices, which she believes shielded her from despair and provided clarity.
In addition to Rocco, Madonna is a mother to five other children. She adopted twins Estere and Stella from Malawi in 2017, having previously adopted David Banda in 2006 and Mercy James in 2009. Her eldest child, Lourdes, is from her relationship with actor Carlos Leon. Madonna’s illustrious career boasts hit songs like ‘Holiday,’ ‘Into The Groove,’ and ‘Vogue,’ along with several UK number one albums including ‘Like A Virgin,’ ‘Confessions On A Dance Floor,’ and ‘Like A Prayer.’