Madonna Reveals She Felt Suicidal During Divorce From Guy Ritchie

Admittedly we’ve all had our moments where life feels like it’s spiraling out of control, but Madonna’s recent revelation hits differently. The Material Girl herself just dropped a bombshell that has everyone talking, and truly – it’s both heartbreaking and incredibly brave. (Warning: ths article will talk about and reference suicide.)

Madonna Opens Up About Her Mental Health Struggles

After staying relatively quiet for nearly a decade, Madonna decided to spill everything on Jay Shetty’s “On Purpose” podcast. And we do mean everything. The 67-year-old icon didn’t hold back when discussing one of the most painful chapters of her life – the brutal custody battle with ex-husband Guy Ritchie over their son Rocco in 2016.

“There were moments in my life where I wanted to cut my arms off,” Madonna confessed with raw honesty. “I actually contemplated suicide.”

Now, before you start thinking this sounds out of character for the fierce and fiesty unapologetic pop queen we know and love, she addressed that too. “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 Custody Battle That Nearly Broke Her

Here’s where things get really intense. Madonna described the custody fight as “one of the most painful moments of her life,” and frankly, anyone who’s been through a messy divorce can probably relate to some degree. But this wasn’t just any divorce drama – this was about potentially losing her child.

“Even though my marriage didn’t work out… someone trying to take my child away from me was like, ‘They might as well just kill me,'” she explained. “That’s really how I was thinking.”

The whole situation started when 15-year-old Rocco decided he wanted to live with his father in London instead of staying with Madonna in New York. What should have been a family discussion turned into a very ugly legal battle that played out in the public eye.

Performing Through the Pain

Here’s what really gets us about this whole story – Madonna was in the middle of her Rebel Heart Tour during this nightmare. Can you imagine having to put on a show every single night while your world is falling apart behind the scenes?

“I had to go on stage every night, and I would just be lying on the floor of my dressing room sobbing,” she revealed. “I really thought it was like it was the end of the world. I couldn’t take it. I just couldn’t take it.”

That level of professionalism while dealing with personal trauma? That’s both admirable and completely devastating.

From Rock Bottom to Redemption

The good news is that this story has a happy ending. Madonna made it clear that she’s in a much better place now and has rebuilt her relationship with Rocco, who’s now 25 and apparently on good terms with his famous mom.

“Thank God I don’t feel that way anymore,” she said. “I’m happy to say that I’m really good friends with my son, but I couldn’t see it then.”

The healing process wasn’t just about time, though. Madonna credits her spiritual journey for helping her reframe these painful experiences as lessons rather than punishments. She’s learned what she calls “radical acceptance” – basically accepting that what happens to you is meant to happen, and that you’re going to be okay.

The Guy Ritchie Factor

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room – Guy Ritchie. The British filmmaker behind movies like “Snatch” and “Aladdin” married Madonna in 2000, the same year Rocco was born. Their relationship lasted until 2008, and by all accounts, it wasn’t exactly a fairy tale ending.

When Rocco decided he wanted to live with his dad in 2015, it triggered a legal battle that lasted nearly a year. Things got sorted out in 2016, with Rocco, ultimately staying with his father in London.

Madonna’s Other Health Battle

As if the custody drama wasn’t enough, Madonna also battled sepsis which left her unconscious for four days. This health scare happened while she was preparing for a tour, and it sounds absolutely terrifying.

“I had something called sepsis, and it can kill you,” she explained. “One minute I was alive and dancing around, and the next minute I was in the ICU, unconscious for four days.”

During this near-death experience, Madonna claims her late mother appeared to her and asked if she wanted to “come with her.” Her answer? A firm “No.” Talk about fighting spirit.

Where Things Stand Now

Today, Madonna is the mother of six children: Lourdes (28), Rocco (25), David (20), Mercy (19), and twins Stella and Estere (13). She has clearly worked diligently to rebuild and maintain both her relationships with her kids and her fanbase.

The custody battle with her ex, Guy Ritchie was one of the darkest chapters in Madonna’s life. It’s also a testament to her strength and resilience. She survived it, she learned, and she came out triumphant on the other side.