Madonna Praises Daughter Mercy’s ‘Radiant Light’ in the Sweetest New Video for Her 20th Birthday
Madonna’s daughter is growing up! The Grammy-winner posted a sweet tribute in honor of Mercy James’ 20th birthday, and we can’t believe how much time has flown by.
“Happy Birthday beautiful Mercy James. ????” Madonna wrote in a heartfelt caption on Instagram. “Your tribal name is Chifundo which means Mercy!! A perfect name for you.”
Madonna continued, “You have always been the quietest of all my children, but still waters run deep. And deep, you are. Always thinking, always thoughtful, kind and respectful. I am so proud of the young woman you have become.”
Are you crying yet? Her warm words went on to praise her daughter’s talent. “You are talented in so many ways and honestly, you can do anything you put your mind to,” the “Material Girl” singer added. “I’m excited to see which direction you decide to shine your radiant light! ⚡️⚡️⚡️ @_mermerjay_”
What a beautiful way to honor her daughter! But that wasn’t all — Madonna also included several photos and videos of Mercy throughout the years in a compilation video set to “Paradise” by Sade. It includes several joyful moments of Mercy’s life, from dancing with her siblings to smiling with her mom, ending with her playing the piano for an audience.
People were moved by this beautiful tribute, sending love and well-wishes to Mercy in the comments. “Happy Birthday Mercy!!!” Andy Cohen wrote.
Someone else gushed, “Happy birthday to the sweetest,beautiful,funniest,most caring ,multi talented young queen Mercy!! Love this video edit and Sade song perfect for @_mermerjay_ !!!✨????????❤️”
Madonna adopted Mercy in 2007 after a lengthy legal battle in Malawi. At the opening of the country’s first pediatric surgery and intensive care center (aptly named after Mercy James) in 2017, Madonna shared her story of how she came to get Mercy.
“I met Mercy soon after I met my son David [Banda], but they were living in different orphanages,” Madonna told the crowd at Queen Central Hospital, per PEOPLE, adding, “And when I held each of them in my arms, I whispered in their ears, that I would look after them. And I promised them that they would grow up into strong and healthy adults.”
She was given permission to adopt David in 2006, but the country did not allow her to adopt Mercy as she was splitting with her husband Guy Ritchie at the time. “[The judge] informed me, as a divorced woman, I was not fit to raise children and that Mercy James was better off growing up in an orphanage,” the Grammy winner recalled.
“If you know me, you can imagine how I received this information,” Madonna went on. “It’s true, I am a freedom fighter. I am a feminist. I am a rebel heart. But I am also a compassionate and intelligent human being. And if you cannot give me a logical reason for the word ‘no,’ then I will not accept the word ‘no.’ I hired a team of lawyers, and I took my case to the supreme court, and it was not an easy battle.”
She explained that the adoption laws in Malawi had not been changed since the early ‘40s, so Madonna implored them to consider adapting them. “So my argument was that women have been raising children for centuries, on their own … not to mention the fact that I was doing just fine raising my own three children,” she explained.
“I never gave up. And I never backed down,” Madonna continued. “And I believe that if you want something badly enough in life, the universe will conspire to help you get it. It may not be exactly when you want it, it may not come exactly when you think it’s gonna come. It may not come in the package that you want it. But if you persevere, you will win. I fought for Mercy, and I won.”
In addition to Mercy and David, 20, Madonna is also mom to Lourdes, 29, with ex Carlos Leon, Rocco, 25, with Ritchie, and twins Stella and Estere, 13, who she adopted in 2017.
Before you go, check out some of the most heartfelt messages from celebrities to their kids.