Madonna on the cover of Vanity Fair Italy.Photo: Luigi & Iango/Vanity Fair

Madonnais speaking candidly about being a mother ofsix children.
While gracing the cover ofVanity Fair’s “Icon Issue"for the publication’s Spanish, Italian and French editions, the music icon, 64, opened up about how growing up with her as a mother is “a challenge” for her kids.
Noting how motherhood “has been the most difficult, the hardest battle,” Madonna — who is mom to daughtersLourdes, 26,Mercy, 16, and twinsEstere and Stella, 10, plus sonsRocco, 22, andDavid, 17 — explained, “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. 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,” she continued.
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Madonna in Vanity Fair Italy.Luigi & Iango/Vanity Fair

Madonna then noted that what makes her “the happiest” in her role as a mother is seeing how each of her children “has found their creativity.”
“I have never encouraged my daughter Lola to make music or my son Rocco to paint. But I’ve always exposed them to art, to music,” she said. “I’m happy with how they are today. And I’m proud of their work.”
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Luigi & Iango/Vanity Fair

The artist — who recently announced that she’llcommemorate the 40-year anniversary of her careerlater this year with The Celebration Tour — added that she is also happy when she is “spending time with my kids.”
“And to see them happy, to witness their growth, to watch them evolve and then to find the things they love,” Madonna continued. “Most of my happiness comes from my children. And much more from the inspiration that some artists give me.”
RELATED VIDEO: Madonna Is Grateful for Her Six Children: “You’re All Pieces of My Heart”
She then honored her children again in November 2022 when sheshared photos on Instagramfeaturing all her kids gathered for Thanksgiving. In one photo, the pop star stands in the center of her six children. Inthe caption, she wrote, “What I’m thankful for…………. 💛.”

Madonna then closed out the year with her four younger children spending time in Africa and supporting her charity,Raising Malawi, which was founded in 2006. The nonprofit aims to educate and support health services for countless orphans and children in the country.
source: people.com