After her divorce from her first husband, Sean Penn, in 1989, Madonna fell in love again when she met director, Guy Ritchie in the summer of 1998 and started dating. The pair announced in March that they were expecting a child. The ex-lovers welcomed Rocco Ritchie on Aug. 11, 2000, though they were not married at the time.
After his parent’s separation in 2008, Rocco decided to live with his dad under the guise of visiting for Christmas because his mother’s constant touring and her parenting style (being too disciplined) affected his education. This decision led to a fierce legal battle between both parents for the custody of the young child.
Guy Ritchie and Madonna’s divorce had a huge impact on Rocco’s life
2008.
5/22/08
Madonna and Guy Richie at the amfAR Gala for the Cannes Film Festival.
(Cannes, France)
***Not for syndication in Europe and Scandinavia!***
Rocco decided to move in with his father in London against his mom’s wish. A legal custody tussle was initiated after the young boy refused to go back to New York where his mother stayed. However, the ex-lovers came to an agreement that was in favor of Rocco staying on at his dad’s.
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Things continued to go south between the singer and her son. In 2016, Rocco was arrested for possession of bhang at Primrose Hill home in North London. Madonna criticized her ex-husband for being too easy on him and this made things worse between Rocco and his mom.
To further spite Madonna, Rocco made a harsh comment on an Instagram post by the singer which featured pictures of herself and her adopted children, David and Mercy pose, for a mannequin challenge. “I’m so glad I do not live there any longer,” Rocco commented.
Rocco Reconciled with his mother
After some period of hatred, the 22-year-old and his mom eventually buried the hatchet. An insider who is quite close to the family revealed to Mail Online that things are finally returning to normal after the fierce disputes. “Since Madonna’s return to London, things have taken a definite turn for the better,” the source stated. “Guy dropped Rocco at his mum’s and they had a good chat before he went off to skate with his friends.”
Madonna’s sweet birthday shoutout to her son Rocco Ritchie on the occasion of his 21st birthday also shows that both of them are now on good terms. The emotional post includes a series of photographs of Rocco all through the years plus a few pictures of mother and son together.
“Happy Birthday Rocco!!” she captioned the post. “We have been on many trips together around the world…But the greatest journey I have taken with you is the one inside my [heart emoji]. Love you to the moon and back. Forever and always.”
What is Madonna’s son, Rocco Ritchie up to Now?
The young man has overcome all his juvenile rebellion and is on the verge of getting his fine art degree at Central Saint Martins. The 22-year-old has now established himself as an artist with an art brand of his own. He began operating under the brand name, Rhed and is already selling paintings touching on the “fixation of celebrities and labels,” for a huge sum of money.
Tanya Baxter Contemporary gallery website reports that “he is inspired by graffiti artist Banksy and sees himself as a key player in the London art scene in a few years.” In the summer of 2021, Rocco hosted a show at the gallery with both Madonna and Guy as guests who were unaware that they had come to see their son.