Madonna

Madonna, her boyfriend Jesus Luz, adopted son David Banda Ritchie ( b. September 24, 2005) and newly adopted daughter Mercy are surrounded by a crowd of fans as they board a boat. (Bauer Griffin) more pics » Madonna spared no expense, of course, when she took her kids to Malawi. The "Celebration" singer flew to the African country, where she was joined by daughter Lourdes, 13, son Rocco, 9, and her 2 adopted Malawian children, David and Mercy, both 4, with so many toys that the residents in the town thought she'd brought a theme park with her. One local resident said: “It’s like ... Read Full Story

LILONGWE (Reuters) - Malawi threatened on Thursday to arrest protesting villagers blocking construction of Madonna's multi-million dollar girls academy, a new controversy for the singer in the African country where she has adopted two children. About 140 villagers are demanding more money for land the government has leased to Madonna's charity -- Raising Malawi -- for 99 years. District Commissioner for Lilongwe Charles Kalemba, other senior government officials and Raising Malawi failed to reach an agreement in talks with representatives of the villagers on Thursday in a bid to resolve the dispute. "If we cannot agree on this and if you cannot understand that ... Read Full Story

Photo Agency Madonna is in Africa with her children and is learning a lot about what life is like off the red carpet while she visits. The singer, who has adopted 2 children, Mercy and David, both 4, from the country said: “People always ask me, ‘Why did you choose Malawi?’ But I have always said, ‘Malawi chose me.’ Growing up in a privileged life, I took education for granted. Coming to Malawi has taught me a lot.” Madonna and her children Mercy and David. (Photo Agency) The 51-year-old star is currently in Malawi with the 2 youngsters and their older siblings, Lourdes, 13, ... Read Full Story

PUBLICITY PHOTO: Singer Madonna holds Mercy, whom she still hopes to adopt, in this undated publicity photo taken in Malawi and released by her agents today. (Photo Agency) more pics » Madonna 's spent the last week in Malawi, and she's been a big hit in the African country -- especially with the kids. The singer visited the place where her adopted son David used to live, and the children not only thought she was a big star, one even said she was "God." Madonna and her kids Mercy and David. (Photo Agency) A child said to her: "You are our God. Where could ... Read Full Story

Protesting villagers in Malawi are stalling construction on Madonna's girls' school in a bid for more rent from the megastar, according to a report. Authorities in Malawi have now threatened to arrest some 140 villagers who are demanding more money for land the government has leased to the singer's charity Raising Malawi. Madonna has adopted two children from the small Aids-stricken nation and has just returned from a visit with all four of her children to the village to break ground for the school. Raising Malawi has leased the land for 99 years. It failed in a meeting this week to resolve the dispute ... Read Full Story