Madonna celebrated her birthday in an exceptional way. The singer turned 67 on August 16 and went to a traditional horse race in Italy, known as the Palio di Siena, an iconic and historic competition held twice a year in this Tuscan city. She was joined by her children Rocco, Lourdes León, and the twins Stella and Estere, watching the event from a balcony overlooking the city’s central square, the Piazza del Campo, specifically from the Palazzo Pannocchieschi d’Elci, one of Siena’s oldest noble residences.
This medieval-style race, consisting of three laps around the square in the opposite direction, thrilled both her and her children. The winner is the horse that crosses the finish line first, with or without its jockey. Each horse wears a ribbon called a “spennacchiera” in the colors of the Siena district it represents. The winning district takes home a banner called the “palio” or “drappellone,” a hand-painted rectangular silk trophy. The race is held twice a year: on July 2 in honor of the Virgin of Provenzano and on August 16 in honor of the Assumption of the Virgin.
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© Backgrid UK/The Grosby GroupAfter the race, Madonna hosted a private birthday party at the Grand Hotel Continental in Siena with about thirty guests. The Material Girl star once again chose Italy to celebrate her birthday, after visiting Pompeii around the same dates last year. Her presence drew plenty of attention from locals in this city full of medieval charm. Madonna arrived with her boyfriend, Jamaican soccer player Akeem Morris, who is 37 years younger than her, and four of her six children. Lourdes Leon, 28, born from her relationship with dancer and choreographer Carlos Leon; Rocco, 25, from her relationship with film director Guy Ritchie; and the twins Stella and Estere, 12, whom she adopted in 2017 in Malawi, were all by her side. The two missing at the Palio di Siena were David Banda and Mercy, both 19.
© Backgrid UK/The Grosby GroupMadonna was also accompanied by Akem Morris, who joined her and her children at the Palio di Siena. Morris’s presence alongside the family was not overlooked during the celebrations, as he shared his experiences with them from the balcony overlooking the Piazza del Campo.
© Andi Shtylla/The Grosby GroupEach of Madonna’s children has carved out their own creative and artistic path. Lourdes has established herself as a prominent model and fashion figure, becoming the face of prestigious brands like Miu Miu and Jean Paul Gaultier, while also exploring her musical talent as a singer and songwriter. Rocco, on the other hand, has focused on painting. He studied at the renowned Central Saint Martins and at the Royal Drawing School in Shoreditch and has gained notable recognition in the art market, selling his works for over 30,000 euros each. To avoid the pressure of his last name, he began his artistic career under the pseudonym “Rhed.”
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© Backgrid UK/The Grosby GroupDavid Banda, a lover of music and dance, plays piano and guitar and sings. He also competes in soccer and takes part in fashion events. Like her brother, Mercy James dedicates herself to her own artistic pursuits and plays the piano. The youngest members of the family, twins Stella and Estere, are still exploring their talents; however, they have already made their mark by performing on stage with Madonna several times, including during the Madame X Tour in 2019 and at a standout Pride event in Brooklyn in 2024.
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