Madonna Hints at Rift With Daughter Lourdes While Reflecting on Family Losses

Madonna suggested in a new Interview magazine conversation that she may have had a strained relationship with her daughter, Lourdes Leon, while discussing the personal pain behind her upcoming album Confessions II. She said the record was inspired by major losses in her family, including the death of her brother Christopher Ciccone in October 2024 and the death of her stepmother, Joan, after a difficult relationship that she described as traumatic throughout her childhood.

Speaking about how the songs came together, Madonna said, “I cannot write a song just like that, about nothing. I need a story, so I wrote about my family trauma, and then we put the music and the dancing together.” She then appeared to allude to a past issue with Lourdes, who is credited as a co-writer on the album. Madonna said Lourdes, whom she called “Lola,” approached her with the idea of writing a song together “as a way to heal our relationship,” and said that moment convinced her it was time to make the album.

Madonna did not spell out the family dispute, but added, “All these symbolic things happened. My stepmother died, my brother was sick, my brother died, my daughter came to me... you understand what I’m talking about?” The article notes that this is not the first time either mother or daughter has spoken publicly about family tensions despite their close bond.

In October 2021, Lourdes told Interview that Madonna was a “control freak” who controlled her throughout her life. She said she felt she had to become fully independent after finishing high school, and described the first time she truly felt free as paying her own college tuition and rent. She also said money from her parents could give them power over their children.

The piece also reviews Christopher Ciccone’s close relationship with Madonna, his work as her assistant, dresser and stylist, and their later fallout after he revealed intimate details about her and criticized her relationship with Guy Ritchie. After struggling with alcohol and drugs, he later reconciled with Madonna around 2012 and said at the time that they were “really fine” and that he was proud of her.