It could never be said that Madonna holds back with her thoughts and emotions, and her latest social media post has well and truly set tongues wagging this week.
The 58-year-old took to Instagram to wish herself a happy Father’s Day – and to throw a little bit of shade at her former partners!
The Vogue singer posted a photo of herself with her children; 20-year-old Lourdes, 16-year-old Rocco, 11-year-old David and Mercy, and four-year-old Stella and Esther.
The tongue-in-cheek caption read: “And Happy Father’s Day to me, too, because let’s face it…I’m the Mommy and the Daddy. I don’t care what the papers say.”
The singer received an outpouring of supportive messages from her legion of devoted fans, with many sharing their own take on her sentiments.
“My daughter wished me a Happy Father’s Day today. She called it Mom’s Day #2. I’m both her parents too, and she recognises that,” wrote one follower.
Meanwhile, another chimed in: “That’s some family – well done for opening your home and your heart, and being Mum and Dad to children who need one.”
Madonna welcomed eldest child Lourdes with actor Carlos Leon, in 1996. She went on to give birth to son Rocco in 2000 with then-husband Guy Ritchie, before adopting David Banda in 2006.
Mercy was adopted by Madonna in 2009, while twins Esther and Stella were welcomed into the family in February this year.
Having previously credited motherhood with ‘mellowing’ her, Madonna once cited her role as a mother as her most challenging one.
Accepting her Woman of the Year Award from Billboard last year, she said: “The biggest accomplishment I think was finishing my tour, doing my shows every night, and dealing with the challenge of being a mother.
“That’s always the challenge for me: being a good mother, being an artist, getting through it all.”
Indeed, 2016 wasn’t plain sailing for the star, who became embroiled in a custody battle with ex Guy Ritchie over their son, Rocco.
The singer got the courts involved when Rocco insisted on remaining with his father in London, rather than joining her on her European tour. Judges called for a custody hearing, where it was decided that then-16-year-old Rocco would continue to live with his dad.
What do you think of Madonna’s Father’s Day post? Let us know!
