 | |  |  | Madonna News & Gossip
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| | Madonna shells out $40 million for Manhattan home | | Added 15 years ago | Source: CeleBitchy |
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Madonna said she?d move to Malawi if that?s what it took for her to adopt 4-year-old Mercy James. But she?s clearly not planning on making it her permanent home ? not that anyone ever thought she would. Madge just plunked down $40 million on an enormous 12,000 square foot townhouse on Manhattan?s Upper East Side. Because she?s got more money than she knows what to do with, Madonna can obviously still move to Malawi for a bit if she chooses. But still? $40 million? just? damn.
Looks like Malawi will have to wait — Madonna is moving to the Upper East Side, The Post has learned. Madge has signed a contract to buy a four-story, Georgian-style townhouse on East 81st Street for about $40 million, sources said. That’s some $5 million less than the original asking price.
“The townhouse is perfect for Madonna,” according to one source. “She’s trying to recreate London in New York City, and this is in the style of a London townhouse.” But her new home in what brokers call the “Far East” does not appear to be all that much of a bargain. No residence in that area “has ever sold for $20 million, let alone $30 million — or ever will again,” said one broker who asked not to be identified.
The kaballah convert will also find the house has bad vibes — specifically from the Lexington Avenue subway. People inside the 26-room mansion can hear and feel the trains coming through, according to one visitor.
But on the plus side, the double-wide mansion does have a two-car garage, a 3,000-square- foot garden, nine fireplaces, an elevator and a wine cellar with a grotto. And with 13 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms, it certainly has the space to accommodate Madonna’s family, which — at this point — does not include even a semi-permanent replacement for ex-hubby Guy Ritchie.
When Mayor Bloomberg was asked today whether he’d send Madonna a thank you note for buying a new place - a boost to the city’s sagging revenues - he said, “No. But we do plan to send her a bill.”
[From the New York Post]
That?s why I love Bloomie ? smartass comments like that. Madonna plans to do a lot of remodeling of the place ? even at $40 million, nothing is up to her exacting specifications. The Post also noted that it features the ?soothing sounds of [the] 4,5, and 6.? Meaning the 4, 5, and 6 trains. How relaxing. I honestly wouldn?t find that to be a big deal ? it?s commonplace to hear and feel the trains under you in New York. A lot of dangerous things could happen and I?d just assume it was an F train underneath me. That said, I don?t live over one, and I imagine that could get a bit grating on the nerves. And Madonna strikes me as the type who?s easily annoyed. If it gets bothersome I?m sure she?ll just make the city move the train tunnels or something.
In related Madonna news, while a lot of us tend to see her as rather cold and emotionless, there have been many reports that she?s having an exceptionally hard time dealing with losing her adoption bid.
Putting on a brave face despite her crushing disappointment after her adoption bid was turned down, she spent two nights out in a row in London with Stella McCartney.
A smiling Madonna was spotted arriving at the Mayfair restaurant Cecconi’s to meet Stella. However, once inside, the 50-year-old mother of three reportedly became tearful as she showed her fashion designer chum a photograph of the little girl she had been expecting to bring home with her. “She dug around in her handbag for the photo and was excitedly showing it off to Stella,” a source to a newspaper. “but it was clearly too much, the moment overcame her.”
[From Hello! Magazine, April 20, 2009, print ed.]
It?s strange to hear about Madonna having some sort of human frailty. In so many ways she just seems like a machine: she keeps going no matter what. There?s also such a rigid focus on perfection, and you forget even she?s going to lose people she cares about. It?ll be interesting to see just how committed she is to adopting Mercy, and if she really does move to Malawi.
And at least Madge will have that $40 million house to come back to.
Here?s Madonna taking a helicopter ride from Battersea, England carrying a large Louis Vuitton bag on April 9th, along with pictures of her new digs. Images thanks to WENN.com and Mavrix.
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| | Madonna e-mails Malawian paper about adoption; gets cosy with ex Guy Ritchie | | Added 15 years ago | Source: CeleBitchy |
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The tabloids are reporting this week that Madonna isn’t about to give up her bid to adopt Mercy James and they seem to be right. The 50 year-old pop singer and mother of three e-mailed Malawi’s Nation paper that she still intends to provide a home for the girl after her initial adoption attempt was denied:
“I want to provide Mercy with a home, a loving family environment and the best education and healthcare possible,” she e-mailed Malawi’s Nation newspaper in response to its questions. “And it’s my hope that she, like David, will one day return to Malawi and help the people of their country.”
Madonna, 50, continued: “Though I have been advised that I cannot publicly discuss the pending appeal regarding my desire to adopt Mercy, I do want to say how much I appreciate the level of support that I have received from the people of Malawi and my friends around the world.”
[From US Magazine]
Madonna’s appeal might be successful and she could eventually take Mercy home as expected. It was surprising that she was told “no” for once, and US Weekly reports from a source in the latest print issue that the judge who ruled against Madonna, Esme Chombo, “is very religious and a moralist. She might not be in favor of Madonna’s lifestyle and her seminude stage antics.” Madonna did violate adoption laws in the country and Chombo stated in her ruling that allowing her to adopt without meeting residency requirements would open the floodgates for child trafficking. She may be attempting to reconcile that and is said to be building a home along with a girls’ school in Malawi.
Madonna is single again after her divorce was finalized, but that might not be for long. She’s had at least two romances in the past few months, including a fling with a model young enough to be her grandson. Most recently Madonna was spotted getting cosy with none other than her ex husband, Guy Ritchie. Ritchie issued a statement in support of Madonna following her failed adoption bid but is thought to be privately against another adoption. He must be somewhat supportive in person if this latest news from News of The World is accurate. The exes were seen cuddling at a Kabbalah event.
The pair were all over each other at a bizarre Kabbalah celebration in central London on Wednesday.
Yes, you heard me right. An insider confirmed: “Guy was stroking Madonna’s back and they were cuddling. She looked very sad and Guy seemed to be comforting her. LOURDES and ROCCO were there too. They looked like a family again.”
[From News of The World]
If this is true, he could have just been hugging her or something. The item is so brief that it’s hard to tell. I don’t see these two reconciling anytime soon, and even if Madonna is open to it I doubt that Ritchie will take the bait. He learned his lesson. At least they’re friendly for the sake of their children amid all this turmoil over the adoption. It’s got to be hard for them.
Madonna is shown with Lourdes at the airport in London on 4/12/09. Credit: BIG PICTURES/bauergriffinonline.com
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| | Madonna is going to get her baby | | Added 15 years ago | Source: The Blemish |
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Madonna will do whatever it takes to get that baby she was denied adopting. She has told her architects to build a home in Malawi so “David Banda would benefit from a connection to his birthplace” and also to establish residency for 18 months so she can get that baby. Just like the prophecy foretold.
?Madonna has a big, beautiful plot of land over there already. She?s planning to build a girl?s school in the Chinkhota village and those designs are well under way.
?But she?s gone back to the designers and asked if they could accommodate a family home on the plot or on adjacent land.?
Madonna is determined, I’ll give her that. Most people would have quit and have gone to Asia to adopt their babies, but not Madonna. She wants Mercy. But why is she so infatuated with this child? We must ask ourselves this. Is it because Mercy’s bones are just the right density to grind into a fine powder potent enough to create an elixir which will grant Madonna 5 more years of youth? I think so, my friends. I think so.
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| | Madonna plans to build a home & girls' school in Malawi | | Added 15 years ago | Source: CeleBitchy |
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The rumors around Madonna aren?t going to quit any time soon. Many sources are reporting that Madonna will not take “no” for an answer when it comes to adopting little Mercy James. But some sources are reporting that Guy Ritchie and some of Madge?s friends are trying to convince her to give up the ghost. In either case, Madonna has her heart set on building a home in Malawi, according to The Sun.
Madonna has allegedly already purchased a plot of land in Malawi, and is having designs made for her future African home. Madge is also committed to building a girls? school in the village of Chinkhota, which would likely be adjacent to Madge?s planned home. The Sun has more:
Madonna is hoping to build a home in Malawi despite her application to adopt three-year-old local MERCY JAMES being refused.
Last week a judge turned down her bid to become the girl?s legal mother because Madge hadn?t lived in the country for 18 months.
Nevertheless, the chart-topper has instructed her architects to draw up plans for a home in the African country, as she believes adopted son DAVID BANDA would benefit from a connection to his birthplace.
I?m told: ?Madonna has a big, beautiful plot of land over there already. She?s planning to build a girl?s school in the Chinkhota village and those designs are well under way.?
?But she?s gone back to the designers and asked if they could accommodate a family home on the plot or on adjacent land.?
From The Sun
So, a girls? school and a family home, both in a third-world country? It?s like Madonna is not only trying to copy Angelina Jolie (de-mined home in Cambodia) but Oprah Winfrey as well, who runs a girls? school in South Africa. Am I being too hard on Madge? Those Malawian girls who will be getting an education thanks to Madonna?s largesse won?t complain. Although, the Malawian girls? school would likely be done with some sort of Kabbalah-influences, so who knows? If Madge really wants the home in Malawi, good for her. At the very least, she?ll stimulate the Malawian economy with all of the paparazzi who will follow her down there when she?s on vacation at her Malawian summer home.
Madonna is shown out in London on 4/8/09. Credit: BIG PICTURES/bauergriffinonline.com
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| | Madonna Donates Earthquake Victims | | Added 15 years ago | Source: Feed Me Gossip |
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Madonna made a substantial donation Tuesday to aid earthquake victims in the mountainous Abruzzo region of Italy, where a 6.3 temblor early yesterday morning left at least 200 people dead and perhaps 50,000 homeless, E! News has confirmed.Publicist Liz Rosenberg would not reveal the dollar amount of Madonna’s contribution, but it’s been reported to be around $500,000.The Ciccones, the hitmaker’s paternal grandparents, lived in the village of Pacentro, (which is in the city of L’Aquila, near the earthquake’s epicenter) until 1919. Nearly 33,000 people were killed in the region in a devastating quake in 1915.“I am happy to lend a helping hand to the town that my ancestors are from,” Madonna said in a statement. “My heart goes out to the families that have lost loved ones or their homes.”
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| | Madonna donates $500k to earthquake victims; goes home with mystery man | | Added 15 years ago | Source: CeleBitchy |
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A 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit the Abruzzo region of Italy on Monday. So far, more than 100 people died either in the earthquake, or in the aftermath. Thousands were injured, and tens of thousands have been left homeless.
The mayor of a small town in the Abruzzo region, a hamlet called Pacentro, reached out the ?famous granddaughter? of two former Pacentro residents. That granddaughter was Madonna, and she opened her heart and her wallet to support those affected by the earthquake. Her publicist confirms that Madonna donated, but she?s not saying how much. A ?source? tells People Magazine that the donation was $500,000.
When a devastating earthquake struck the Abruzzo region of Italy on Monday, the mayor of the hamlet of Pacentro made an appeal for help to the granddaughter of two former townspeople. The following morning, that granddaughter responded in a big way.
Madonna, whose paternal grandparents lived in Pacentro until 1919, made a “substantial donation” for the relief effort following the 6.3 magnitude quake that left more than 200 dead, says her publicist Liz Rosenberg. The rep wouldn’t give the amount, but a source says it’s about $500,000.
“I am happy to lend a helping hand to the town that my ancestors are from,” Madonna tells PEOPLE. “My heart goes out to the families that have lost loved ones or their homes.”
From People Magazine
Instead of snarking, I?ll just acknowledge that Madonna did a nice thing. She?s got me so brainwashed with her faux English accent, I sometimes forget Madonna?s just an Italian-American girl from Detroit. It?s nice that Madonna would show some respect for her Italian heritage and donate to those in need. Good work, Madge.
Thanks to BIG PICTURES/bauergriffinonline.com for these photos of Madonna and the unknown guy she probably hooked up with last night. He is said to have gone home with her after dinner.
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| | Madonna says failed adoption isn't right; Lourdes devastated | | Added 15 years ago | Source: CeleBitchy |
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Madonna and her daughter Lourdes are both said to be devastated by a judge?s ruling that she can?t adopt 4-year-old Mercy James from Malawi. Though it?s hard to see Madge as someone with emotions and who?s capable of feeling real sadness, she?s obviously going through a hard time right now, and told her aids that what happened wasn?t right. I?m not sure I can say I feel as much empathy for her as I probably should, but it?s hard not to feel badly for Lourdes and the rest of Madonna?s kids, along with little Mercy ? who was said to have bonded with what she thought would be her new family.
Madonna devastated after officials blocked her adoption of a 3-year-old girl from Malawi, telling aides, “it’s not right.” The Material Girl, who is now back in London, even referred to Chifundo (Mercy) James as “my little girl” before heading home, Australia’s Herald Sun newspaper reports.
“I can’t believe I’m leaving my beautiful baby behind,” she said. “It’s not right. I love that baby girl … she needs to be with me.” Madonna’s daughter Lourdes was reportedly heartbroken that her mom was barred from the adoption. The 50-year-old pop icon looked downcast after spending her final hours with Mercy, the child a judge blocked her from adopting last week, before jetting out of the country.
“Madonna spent some time with Mercy; she looked sad. But Lourdes, who had clicked with the little girl, looked devastated,” a staffer at the Kumbali Lodge where Madonna had been staying, told People magazine. Anne Chikhwaza, director of the Kondanani Children’s Village, took the girl back to the orphanage, the staffer said.
[From the Daily News]
Mercy?s emotions must have bounced all over the place in the last week. This whole ordeal has likely been incredibly confusing for her. I can?t imagine what it would be like to be told you have a new family and to spend time with them and probably get excited like only a little child can. And then have it all suddenly taken away. That?s not to say the judge was wrong ? perhaps what is ultimately best for Mercy is to stay in her own country and/or be adopted by someone willing to obey the laws and live in Malawi for a year. But what an emotional rollercoaster.
Something tells me Madonna will get over this. While she?s upset now, she doesn?t strike me as the sort to feel things super deeply for an extended period of time. It?s hard not to cheer for her failure, because it?s downright wrong for her to ignore another country?s laws and think she can do whatever the hell she wants, so long as she can throw money at the problem. Maybe next time she?ll remember that it?s not just her own wishes that matter ? she?s taking a bunch of kids along for the ride, and their feelings matter too.
Here?s Madonna arriving at Cicconi Restaurant in London yesterday. Images thanks to WENN .
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| | Madonna denied adoption | | Added 15 years ago | Source: The Blemish |
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On Friday, a judge rejected Madonna’s request to adopt 3-year-old Mercy despite support from Malawi’s child welfare minister. Sources say Madonna was denied because of the residency rules that state prospective parents need live in Malawi for 18 months. These rules were waived in 2006 when Madonna first adopted David. She has the right to appeal to the Malawi Supreme Court, but no word on if that’s going to happen.
Uh oh. You wouldn’t like it when Madonna is angry. Madonna is going to go into their jungle and knock out a few elephants. In one night, she’s going to throw their whole ecosystem out of whack. She’s so vindictive, she might even go as far as to include Malawi into her world tour. She wouldn’t dare! Would she?
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| | Madonna's adoption petition denied by Malawi officials | | Added 15 years ago | Source: CeleBitchy |
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Madonna won’t be bringing Mercy to her favorite Kabbalah center after all: reports this morning say that the singer’s petition to adopt a three year old girl named Mercy James was denied by the Malawi high court. Court sources explained that Madonna made no attempts to comply with Malawi adoption laws, and that the girl’s living relatives begged for her to stay in the country so they could see her.
Madonna’s application to adopt a second child from Malawi has been rejected, according to court sources.
The pop star will not be allowed to adopt three-year-old Mercy James, ruled the High Court in the capital, Lilongwe.
Court registrar Ken Manda said the singer’s bid to adopt the girl - previously believed to be aged four - had been rejected because Madonna is not a resident of Malawi.
The case has stirred up controversy in the tiny, impoverished African nation where some human rights campaigners have accused the 50-year-old of child “kidnapping”.
They claim she has used her fame and money to by-pass the official adoption procedures.
Madonna, who was not in court for the ruling, can appeal to Malawi’s Supreme Court.
The residency rule was waived in 2006, when she adopted another Malawian child, David Banda.
She was allowed to take the boy, now aged three, to London before his adoption was finalised in 2008.
David is accompanying Madonna on her visit to Malawi, along with her other children Lourdes, 12, and eight-year-old Rocco.
It is not clear why Judge Esme Chombo has ruled differently today. Another judge had handled Madonna’s previous adoption case.
However, when she adopted David, Madonna was still married to British film director Guy Ritchie.
Their divorce was finalised earlier this year and she was adopting Mercy as a single mother.
On Monday, the US singer attended an hour-long hearing in the chambers of Mrs. Justice Chomba.
In court papers made public today, Madonna said the girl’s grandmother was unable to care for her.
She promised to make Mercy a permanent part of her family and spare her the “hardship and emotional trauma” of life as an orphan.
“She is not skirting any legal issues in her application to adopt this child,” Madonna’s spokeswoman has said.
“She is looking to provide a loving family environment and the best education and healthcare possible for a child who has been in an orphanage since her birth,” said Liz Rosenburg.
The country’s Information Minister Patricia Kaliati has praised the singer for her charity work in Malawi and said she had proved she was a good mother to David.
“Very few rich and famous people can take time to fly all the way to Malawi to support our children. We support her adoption process,” Ms. Kaliati said.
Malawi has a million orphans, as a result of Aids, poor healthcare and poverty. Several charities, including Save the Children, have accused Madonna of setting a bad example.
They said efforts to help orphaned children should focus on keeping the children in their own communities and supporting extended families so they can care for them.
[From Yahoo!]
Madonna certainly didn’t do herself any favors with this latest visit to the impoverished country - traipsing around in couture clothing, being rude to the press, and basically thumbing her nose at the court and the child’s remaining family. I am sure she is used to getting whatever she wants, but this time she didn’t.
I do wonder what will happen to this little girl now. Clearly, she is not in the best of circumstances. Her family had to bring her to the orphanage because they could not care for her. She could have led a life of extreme privilege with Madonna, but chances are good that she would also be largely raised by nannies, and force-fed the Kabbalah religion. She’s be another designer accessory for the star. But some would argue that being a rich woman’s accessory is better than living in poverty with no parents.
Here?s Mercy James. Header photo of Madonna in Malawai on March 30th. Images thanks to Fame Pictures .
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| | David Banda tells his father that he misses Guy Ritchie | | Added 15 years ago | Source: CeleBitchy |
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In other Malawi adoption news, David Banda was allowed to visit with his biological father while visiting Malawi this week. Banda seemed not to know who the man was at first, but warmed up to him quickly. While speaking to his father, the little boy expressed that he missed his adopted father, Guy Ritchie, very much.
While there, David was able to visit with his biological father Yohane Banda, but the tot didn’t know who he was.
David and Yohane spent about three hours together - it was the first time since 2006 - but the little boy didn’t recognize his bio father. Yohane was stunned that David didn’t know who he was or that he couldn’t speak his native language.
Yohane said, “He asked me in English who I was and what I do. When I told him, ‘I am your daddy’ he looked surprised. We spent three hours together… he played with my nose and although he did not know who I was he asked me lots of questions.
“David is quite chatty and intelligent. He asked whether I ride horses but I told him horses are for the rich. He asked me why I am poor. He said his mum likes riding horses and told me that one day he and his brother, Rocco, rode horses and fell. He said his mum spanked him because they are not supposed to ride on their own.”
David also told Yohane he misses his nanny, who quit (or fired by Madonna… whichever rumor you believe). “He misses her a lot because she used to read him books. Nowadays he has different nannies and he doesn’t like the situation.”
The three-year-old spoke of his relationship with Guy Ritchie.
“He seems to like his daddy Mr. Ritchie so much,” said Yohana. “I was a sad Madonna broke up with him. I would have loved it if they sorted out whatever problems they had instead of divorcing because divorce is bad for kids.”
[From Showbizspy.com]
Wow! That’s a lot of very interesting information. First, who would have thought that Madonna would spank her kids? Isn’t she supposed to be so spiritual and peaceful and non-violent thanks to Kabbalah? And also, wouldn’t you think she’d just get the nanny to do it? And speaking of nannies - it’s quite telling that the two people David misses are his nanny and Guy Ritchie. Before the divorce, these were probably the two people he saw the most. It’s also interesting that Madonna has made absolutely no effort to teach David anything about the country he came from, or to give the child any background on himself. He didn’t even know his own father, and he didn’t understand why his father was poor.
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