Why Is Madonna’s Adopted Teen Son ‘Scavenging’ for Food after Moving Out of Mom’s Home?

At 18, David Banda, Madonna’s adopted son, is striking out on his own. Living in his apartment in The Bronx, New York, he finds independence to be a mixed bag of excitement and challenges.

David, who was adopted from Malawi as a baby, has been hustling to make ends meet by offering online guitar lessons. The young musician enjoys his newfound freedom, especially since he shares his space with his girlfriend, model Maria Atuesta.

Despite the joys of young love, David admits that the transition hasn’t been a breeze. He candidly shared his experiences of living solo, saying, “It’s lovely to experience it being nine o’clock at night, me being hungry and realizing that I don’t have enough money to get food and scavenging. It’s fun to be young.”

On the topic of his iconic mom’s love life, David confirmed that Madonna is indeed off the market, having grown close to footballer Akeen Morris. He emphasized that his mother is free to live her life as she pleases.

David’s move to self-sufficiency highlights Madonna’s parenting approach—she wants her children to learn to stand on their own feet, not just bask in her fortune. Nevertheless, the family bond remains strong.

In June 2023, David, along with his sibling, rallied around Madonna when she was hospitalized for a serious bacterial infection. David and his brother Rocco Ritchie were spotted arriving at her Upper East Side apartment in New York City, a testament to their close-knit family ties.

David looked composed, dressed in a patterned shirt, blue jeans, and brown boots. On the other hand, Rocco sported a striped polo shirt and blue slacks, carrying a black bag.

Their visit followed reports of Madonna’s health scare, where she was found unresponsive and rushed to a hospital. Her longtime manager, Guy Oseary, later updated fans on Instagram, revealing that the pop star had developed a serious bacterial infection, leading to a stay in the ICU.

Despite her health issues, Madonna didn’t miss a beat when it came to celebrating her children’s milestones. Just three months after her health scare, she threw a lavish birthday party for David in September, sharing glimpses of the grand celebration on Instagram.

The iconic pop star penned a touching tribute to David, filled with love and pride. “Happy 18th Birthday David Banda!” she began, marveling at how quickly time had flown. “It’s impossible to believe that almost 18 years have gone by since we met you in Mchinji at Home of Hope Orphanage!”

Madonna then reflected on the meaning behind his name, “Your name means ‘Speak the truth!’” she wrote, before praising David as a “remarkable human being.” She concluded her heartfelt message with a beautiful sentiment, “You light up like the brightest star!”

Raising children in the public eye has often subjected Madonna and her family to a lot of scrutiny. Just last month, Madonna’s daughter, Lourdes Leon, found herself at the center of a social media storm after she rocked a daring cutout fishnet dress.

Lourdes turned heads and set tongues wagging at the Marc Jacobs show in New York City on July 1, 2024. Her bold fashion choice—a provocative cutout fishnet dress—left little to the imagination and captured everyone’s attention.

Lourdes Leon completed her ensemble with black and silver strappy heels, a matching top-handle purse, large silver hoop earrings, layered silver necklaces, and a simple black watch.

The 27-year-old fashionista’s hair was styled in effortless beachy waves, and she highlighted her look with dark eye makeup and a glossy lip, creating a blend of boldness and glamour. The revealing outfit quickly became a hot topic on social media, igniting a mix of criticism and praise from netizens.

One critic lamented, “It’s like the young ladies now a days are trying so hard to ‘shock’ folks and out naked one another. It’s sad! Tacky and not so classy [sic]!” Another user quipped, “It’s a bit much. Lol.”

Others questioned the practicality of the ensemble. “Doesn’t look like she can walk properly in that. Does she have guys who carry her around?” one person asked skeptically. Amidst the backlash, one supporter declared, “I think she looks .”

However, another commented, “Beautiful dress same as if she’s wearing a bikini chillax!! She’s looks stunning in it stop hating [sic].” A last supporter noted, “Very Madonna, I like it,” drawing a direct comparison to her mother’s fearless fashion sense.

Reflecting on her fashion journey and her relationship with her famous mom, Lourdes humorously revealed in a 2021 interview that she does “steal” her mom’s clothes. “I do, but now there’s a lock on her closets. When she’s not in the house, those things are locked tight, because I take everything I feel that I’m entitled to,” she said.

Lourdes also shared Madonna’s advice regarding the fashion industry, highlighting her caution to “think about what you want to be known for.” She reflected on how being a model can focus too much on looks, causing insecurity.

“Obviously, you’re not going to look the same your whole life. My mom is very insistent on making me think about what I want to be known for beyond my looks. That’s not what I want people to remember me by. It’s not real,” Lourdes explained.

On another note, Lourdes’ father, Carlos Leon, praised her healthy lifestyle and keen fashion sense. In a 2016 interview, he shared, “[Lourdes is] very much into the healthy lifestyle.”

According to Carlos, he offers Lourdes some nutrition advice, advocating for a daily intake of greens beyond just salads, including broccoli, peas, cauliflower, and other raw vegetables.

The proud dad mentioned that while Lourdes enjoyed eating junk food, she kept herself active. “She takes dance classes. She’s very healthy,” he said.

Beyond wellness, Carlos added that he and his daughter often exchange fashion tips, with Lourdes advising him on his style choices. “If I wear my jeans too tight, she’ll tell me,” Carlos shared.

Lourdes Leon’s eye for style and bold fashion this year was not the only thing that caught netizens’ attention. Last year, she also set Instagram ablaze after sharing pictures of herself wearing purses that covered only sensitive body parts in a fashion campaign.

One picture showed her with chains attached to her eyes. In the next slide, the young model appeared nude, hands on a computer table, as she looked at images from her shoot.

In another stunning photo, Lourdes was covered by the brand’s signature chain link on ready-to-wear handbags, accessorized with thigh-high boots.

Lourdes thrives in the realm of creativity and finds joy in being involved in various creative endeavors, making her journey in the entertainment industry both fulfilling and fun. According to her, modeling is a smart and enjoyable choice.

Alongside her modeling career, she embraces her talents as a singer and dancer. Despite receiving numerous job offers, she has expressed little interest in acting. She demonstrated her musical talent by releasing her single, “Cuntradiction.”

Despite being raised in a privileged family, Madonna’s daughter revealed that she never received handouts from her parents because her mother wanted to instill a sense of independence in her. Even with all the fame, fortune, and status, it’s clear that Madonna prioritizes teaching her children to stand on their own feet.

Lourdes has carved her own path, David is now living independently as a talented musician, and Madonna’s other children are also pursuing their own ventures. It’s evident that the celebrated singer isn’t handing out silver spoons—she’s raising her kids to forge their own destinies.