Madonna wished her beloved son Rocco Ritchie a happy 23rd birthday on Thursday with a montage of sweet snaps of the couple.
The 64-year-old pop icon, who is recovering from a major health problem, said she was “so proud” of her son, who she shares with ex Guy Ritchie, as she shared adorable snaps of their son over the years her and his five posted siblings.
She wrote: “Happy Birthday dearest Rocco…… From the day you were conceived, living with you has been an adventure.
“From being born prematurely to your love of skateboarding and dirt bikes.” Break dancing, parkour, graffiti and all adrenaline pumping activities!
“You’ve worried me – possibly more than anyone else on the planet.” But you’ve taken the road less traveled, and it will make all the difference! Nothing brings me more joy than watching you grow as an artist!
Sweet: Madonna wished her beloved son Rocco Ritchie a happy 23rd birthday on Thursday with a montage of sweet snaps of the couple
“To quote your favorite painter Lucian Freud: “What do I ask of a painting?”
“I ask that you surprise, disturb, seduce, persuade!” Keep going your own way. I’m so proud of you!’
The pair have been spotted in several special moments over the years, with Rocco clinging to his mother in an adorable snap and the duo enjoying a glass of wine together in modern day.
Several snaps showed Rocco taking his siblings for a walk and also showing off his quirky hairstyles, including a buzzcut.
Madonna and Guy welcomed Rocco in August 2000, shortly after their wedding.
Rocco’s relationship with his mother hasn’t always been smooth sailing, especially after his parents’ divorce in 2008.
In 2012, when he was 12, he told The Ellen DeGeneres Show that “she was very strict, but in a good way.”
Rocco no longer traveled with his mother on her 2015 Rebel Heart tour and instead made his way to his father’s country home in Devon, Pennsylvania.
Kiss: Madonna planted a sweet kiss on her son’s cheek in another snap
She wrote: “Happy Birthday dearest Rocco…… From the day you were conceived, living with you has been an adventure.
Childhood: Madonna shared a sweet throwback with her son when she was a toddler
Memories: The star shared a series of sweet snaps with her son
However, the following year everything was put back in order and the two now have a close relationship.
Rocco has become a model and actor and owes his career to both his parents.
He told Vogue Man Hong Kong that growing up around people who had a “passion” for art inspired him.
The performance comes after Rocco praised his parents, Madonna and Guy Ritchie, for raising him in a “creative household” that has now led to his art career.
He is currently planning a career as a painter and is even co-founding his own gallery called Maison Rhed, which takes its name from the pseudonym Rhed, which he used early in his career.
He said, “Growing up in a home that’s passionate about arts and culture certainly helped.”
Reminiscence: The couple were spotted on vacation together in another snap
Brothers: Rocco posed with his brother David Banda in a sweet snap
Sister: Rocco looked cute in a retro snap with sister Lourdes in 2006
Proud Mom: Madge posed with one of Rocco’s paintings
Then: Madonna and Guy starred in 2007 with Lourdes and Rocco
“Neither of my parents are painters, but both are artists in their own right and they taught me to appreciate and respect that.” Their shared fascination eventually piqued my interest and I’ve been surrounded by it for as long as I can remember.”
In order for his work to be judged on merit alone, Rocco published his earlier works under the Rhed name.
The artist insisted he was proud of the achievements of his famous parents, but wished he had time to develop as a painter without “public judgement”.
He said, “Rhed is just a name.” The only real meaning and importance of that was that my life and career didn’t confuse one another, especially at a point when I haven’t earned the title yet.
“It’s not that I’m not proud of who I am, quite the contrary, I couldn’t be more proud of my parents and what they achieved and in turn taught me.”
“I just needed enough time to develop and experience my own lessons the way they did without the extreme public judgement. Rhed was a mask until it wasn’t.’
Madonna also has children: David Banda and Mercy James, both sixteen, and Stelle and Estere Ciccone, both nine.
The pop singer’s daughter Lourdes, 25, who she shares with her ex Carlos Leon.