Madonna Opens Up About Her 4-Year Fight to Adopt Mercy James: ‘I Never Gave Up’

Madonna is celebrating her daughter Mercy James’ 19th birthday with a heartfelt Instagram post reflecting on the challenges she faced during the adoption process. The Grammy-winning artist recalled Mercy’s early days in a Malawian orphanage and the 4.5-year legal battle it took to bring her home.

“Happy Birthday Chifundo-AKA-Mercy James! You are such a special soul,” Madonna shared, “When I met you, you were a tiny baby, underneath a mosquito net in an orphanage in Malawi. You were very sick with Malaria, but you pulled through. I whispered in your ear that I would do my best to give you a home as soon as possible.”

In the message, Madonna went on to explain the difficult battle she faced to adopt her daughter. While the singer already had a few children of her own — daughter Lourdes, son Rocco and in the process of adopting son David — she still faced difficulty bringing Mercy home. 

“4 1/2 years later after battling with the Supreme Court in Malawi because they did not allow divorced women to adopt children. You came to live with us,” she continued. “You arrived with your hand in your mouth silent and refusing to speak. Who knew that you would grow up to be the kindest person with the biggest heart and the most infectious laugh.”

“You are the one that everyone goes to for advice, or a shoulder to cry on,” she continued. “You hold a special place in the heart of everyone that knows you. Especially me. ? ??” 

Inside Madonna’s adoption battle for Mercy James 

Mercy was born in Malawi on Jan. 22, 2006, and her adoption was finalized on June 12, 2009, after initially being rejected a month prior. The singer opened up about this a few years ago. 

“I met Mercy soon after I met my son David, but they were living in different orphanages. David was in Mchinji in Home of Hope, and Mercy was here in Blantyre at Kondanani. Mercy was suffering from malaria, and David from pneumonia. 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…” Madonna shared back in 2017. 

“But this time, the judge who was presiding said no,” she continued. “I was recently divorced, and she 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.”

Madonna explained that despite the difficulties she faced trying to adopt Mercy, you have to persevere if you want to succeed, which is what she did during this trying time.

“I never gave up. And I never backed down. And I believe that if you want something badly enough in life, the universe will conspire to help you get it… But if you persevere, you will win.” 

Following her battle to adopt Mercy, the Grammy winner went through the process of adopting yet again, to give a home to twins Stella and Estere in 2017.

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