Madonna has paid a touching tribute to her daughter Lourdes Leon as she celebrated her 30th birthday, sharing a collection of rare photos and videos spanning three decades of memories.
The music icon marked the milestone on Instagram by posting a series of throwback snaps documenting Lourdes' life, from her early childhood right through to adulthood. The heartfelt post also featured clips of Lourdes singing, offering fans a glimpse into the special bond the pair share.
View this post on Instagram
Alongside the nostalgic images, Madonna reflected on the traumatic circumstances, an emergency C-section, surrounding her daughter's birth in Los Angeles on October 14, 1996. Lourdes is the singer's eldest child and was welcomed with Madonna's then-partner, fitness trainer Carlos Leon.
In an emotional caption, Madonna revealed that Lourdes' arrival was far from straightforward, recalling how she endured 18 hours of labour.
"Your chin was tilted up in my birth canal, you were looking for the stars, you were stuck. After 18 hours of labor and your heartbeat slowing down, an emergency C-section was the only option," she wrote.
Madonna and Lourdes Editorial credit: BMCL / Shutterstock.com
The 68-year-old went on to describe the deep connection she shares with her daughter, calling their bond "Biblical" and comparing them to "two sides of the same coin."
"Our connection, it is Biblical. When I ask God to explain it to me, He tells me, look in the mirror. We are two sides of the same coin," Madonna wrote
She concluded the heartfelt message with a touching reminder to Lourdes, adding: "Never forget who you are, Little Star, shining brighter than all the stars in the sky. Never forget how to dream, Butterfly. Never forget where you come from.
Lourdes Leon. Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com
