When Madonna first came to Malawi in 2006, she couldn't have foreseen how her life would change. What began as a philanthropic effort would turn into much more. It would lead to her adopting her son David Banda.
David and Madonna appear to have a very close relationship. In recent years, they have been spotted together at multiple events. They've sung together and Madonna even relocated to Portugal to support him.
In order to have such a close bond, Madonna had to face uncertainty, struggles, and public judgment. Through it all, Madonna stayed strong and her relationship with her son is the beautiful one we see today.
It All Started With Madonna's Work Alongside Bob Geldof
Bob Geldof is the man behind the iconic Live Aid concerts in 1985, where many artists (including Madonna) performed. The benefit concerts helped victims of starvation in Africa. In 2005, Geldof put the Live 8 shows together twenty years later to fight for the same cause.
Madonna once again joined the list of entertainers just as she'd done twenty years earlier. However, she wanted to get involved in Africa on a deeper level. After receiving a phone call from a woman in Malawi, Madonna was moved to focus on the small African country specifically. Madonna eventually started the foundation Raising Malawi to fight the country's many ills, from AIDS to extreme poverty to the over one million orphans.
Around this time, Madonna and her then-husband Guy Ritchie were talking about adopting a child. Madonna said she wanted to give a life to a child who wouldn't otherwise have one, so heading to Malawi seemed like a no-brainer.
Madonna Meets David And The World Reacts
When reviewing footage that was being shot for Madonna's documentary, I Am Because We Are, Madonna saw a clip of an eight-year-old girl carrying a baby boy in her arms. The baby boy was David Banda.
Madonna first met David at an orphanage she visited while in Malawi. She was horrified by the conditions of both the orphanage and David himself. She said he had a horrific diaper rash and severe pneumonia. When she was told he had no regular visitors, she decided to get him proper medical care.
Due to Madonna's growing attachment to David, she began to consider adopting him. Ritchie shared his wife's sentiments when he joined her on another trip to Malawi. However, it wasn't going to be easy.
Madonna said she had a difficult time navigating through Malawi's few and sometimes nonexistent adoption laws. She also had to get permission from David's father, who gave him up after David's mother died. Madonna met with David's father in court, who gave his consent and thanked Madonna for giving his son a better life.
Madonna and Ritchie were granted an interim adoption, where a social worker visited the home frequently to confirm they were fit parents. This process lasted 18 months before the adoption was approved. Madonna often spoke of how difficult the process was, but said it was worth it.
Another difficulty Madonna faced was public backlash following the adoption. Some claimed Madonna used her celebrity to fast-track the adoption. Others said she flat out broke adoption laws and accused her of stealing the baby. Many said she was merely copying Angelina Jolie, another celebrity with adopted children from Africa.
Madonna And David Develop A Close Bond
Following Madonna and Ritchie's divorce, she continued to adopt children from Malawi. She adopted a daughter, Mercy James, as well as twins, Estere and Stella. The Mercy James Institute for Pediatric Surgery and Intensive Care was also opened in Malawi in 2017. This hospital was developed by Madonna's Raising Malawi foundation.
Through the years, Madonna and David have developed a close bond. Madonna took David as her date to the Grammy Awards in 2014. They wore matching suits and Madonna said David helped design the look. David also joined Madonna on stage during her Rebel Heart Tour in Paris. They performed a cover of the Bob Marley classic, "Redemption Song."
Madonna even moved to Portugal in 2017 to support David's dreams of being a soccer player. She said Lisbon seemed to have the best soccer program and that helped her make the decision. Madonna has also shared posts of David on her Instagram dancing, singing, and serving great fashion.
David recently made headlines after he wore an Adidas x Gucci dress that looked identical to the one Madonna wore in 1993. He even joined her on stage during her Pride performance in New York City this year. Most recently, Madonna took David to see Harry Styles in concert to celebrate his 17th birthday.
"What [David] has more than anything is focus and determination. I'm pretty sure he got it from me," Madonna told British Vogue in 2019. "I feel like he gets me; he has more of my DNA than any of my other children so far."
Madonna has gone through a lot on her journey to adopt David. Throughout the hurdles, Madonna stayed strong. Despite the judgment, she never backed down. Today, Madonna and David have a beautiful relationship that only appears to be growing stronger. Madonna's support for David is wonderful to see and should be an example for all parents.