Madonna recently celebrated her daughter Mercy James’ 20th birthday. The icon took to social media to congratulate her daughter and share some never-before-seen family photos.
Madonna shares rare family photos of her daughter Mercy James
Madonna publicly celebrated her daughter’s 20th birthday via an Instagram post that she shared on Thursday.
“Happy Birthday beautiful Mercy James,” Madonna captioned her post. “Your tribal name is Chifundo which means Mercy!! A perfect name for you. You have always been the quietest of all my children, but still waters run deep. And deep, you are. Always thinking, always thoughtful, kind and respectful.”
“I am so proud of the young woman you have become,” she added. “You are talented in so many ways and honestly, you can do anything you put your mind to. I’m excited to see which direction you decide to shine your radiant light!”
Madonna shared a montage of family photos and videos of James throughout the years. The compilation is set to Sade’s 1985 song “Promise.” James is seen playing the piano, dancing in the car, laughing on the beach and posing in the desert.
Madonna adopted Mercy James in 2009 from an orphanage in Malawi
Madonna is a mother to six children, including James. She shares her daughter Lourdes Leon with her ex-partner Carlos Leon and her son Rocco Ritchie with her ex-husband Guy Ritchie. Madonna adopted her son David Banda and twins Stella and Estere, according to Hello!.
James was born in Malawi in 2006. Madonna applied to adopt her as a single mother in 2009 after settling her divorce from Ritchie, according to People. The High Court initially rejected her application, but she eventually was approved to adopt James that same year.
Although Madonna rarely shares details of her family life, she has taken to social media in the past to celebrate her daughter’s birthday. In 2022, the artist wrote on Instagram via Today.com, “The kindest, most thoughtful, most magical girl on the planet! There is no one like you! #sweet16” as she celebrated James’ 16th birthday at Six Flags Magic Mountain.
Madonna opened up about the difficulties that can come with being a parent in the past.
Motherhood “has been the most difficult, the hardest battle,” she told Vanity Fair in 2023. “Today I am still struggling to understand how to be a mother and do my job.”
“Because, whoever you are, having children and raising them is a work of art,” she added. “And no one gives you a manual. You have to learn from mistakes. It is a profession that requires a lot of time. And it is exhausting because there is never rest.”