Madonna, 67, gave one of the most heartfelt interviews of her life on Jay Shetty's On Purpose podcast, reflecting on her spiritual journey, the difficult experiences she's gone through and the power of forgiveness.
She confessed that her connection with spirituality began shortly before the birth of her first daughter, Lourdes Leon, in 1996, when she was introduced to the teachings of Kabbalah. Since then, spirituality has become essential in her life and art.
"You have to have a spiritual life to be successful. Success is not about fame or money, but living with meaning. If I didn't have this connection to spirituality, I wouldn't be here today," she said.
The Grammy Award winner, known for her commitment to human rights, emphasized that kindness is what keeps her alive.
“What have I done for others? That is the question that guides me. My soul's purpose is to bring light to the world through everything I do. I don't want to keep it to myself, I want to share it.”
She described life as a dark room, where we are called to turn on the light, not hide from it.
In a candid reflection, Madonna admitted that she was once captive to others' opinions of her.
"I used to be a slave to what people thought of me. But the truth is, I don't fit in, and that's what saved me."
In June 2023, Madonna was hospitalized for a severe bacterial infection and spent several days in an induced coma. She described what she called a "spiritual experience" that changed the way she viewed life and relationships with others.
“I was almost on the other side. My mother appeared and asked me: ‘Will you come with me?’ And I said no. My assistant heard me say this, even though I was unconscious. I woke up. And I realized: that ‘no’ was my need to forgive.”
In October 2024, her younger brother, Christopher Ciccone, passed away at the age of 63. Their relationship had often been strained, and they had not had contact for years.
She said that for years she felt anger towards him and that when he got sick and asked for help, she wasn't sure if she would help him.
“When someone you love completely hurts you, it's very hard to accept. I thought, 'Am I going to help my enemy?' But I did. And I felt liberated.
It was like a weight had been lifted off my back. I talked to her, held her hand, and said, 'I love you and I forgive you.'”
At the end of the interview, Madonna urged people to not take anything for granted and to live with humility.
