Madonna recalls devastating pain of losing her mom at 5, says it was ‘too much’ for a child

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Madonna recalled the devastating loss of her mother when she was just five years old.

The pop icon, 66, reflected on the tragedy in archival clips and audio featured in the new Sky documentary 'Becoming Madonna'.

Madonna says her mother's death left a void in her

Madonna's mother, Madonna Louise Ciccone, died in 1963 at the age of 30 after being diagnosed with breast cancer. The singer shared how the loss deeply affected her childhood and shaped her life.

In the documentary, Madonna recalled the impact of losing her mother at such a young age.

"What happened you know when I was [five] years old, it was just the greatest event of my life," she said of her mother’s death. "It was like a part of my heart was ripped out."

Reflecting on her childhood, she continued, "I was forced to grow up fast and understand my mother’s death, to understand the psychological, all things that were going on. It was too much for a child I think."

Madonna also described feeling an "emptiness" in the aftermath of the loss. She shared the memories of her mother saying, "She was beautiful and sweet and a hard worker," People noted.

Madonna’s mother's death put a 'great deal more pressure' on her

Madonna’s late brother, Christopher Ciccone, who died on  October 4, 2024, at age 63, also shared how their mother’s death impacted the family.

"I think when my mother died things changed emotionally with everybody," Christopher said, adding that Madonna’s role in the family following their mother's death was not easy.

"I know my father put a great deal more pressure on her to be our guide. She was our mother’s namesake, and her name was Madonna. I mean, it either crushes you or edifies you or elevates you to something else," Christopher said

Speaking about her name, Madonna shared, "It means a great deal to me. It’s my mother’s name and I loved my mother, so there’s a link there."

Madonna tribute to her mother during her Celebration Tour

Earlier this year, Madonna honored her late mother on Mother’s Day with an emotional post on Instagram.

"I stood on stage for 81 shows staring up at the beautiful face of my mother and wondering what she must’ve been thinking as she waved goodbye to me from her hospital window," Madonna wrote.

"I stepped into the station wagon and shut the door not knowing it was the last time I’d see her," the 'I'll Remember' singer wrote.

Madonna continued, "Nobody told me my mother was dying — I just watched her disintegrate mysteriously, and then she disappeared, and there was no explanation except that she had gone to sleep, which explains my tumultuous relationship with sleep."

She also expressed her emotions during the tour, adding, "When I stepped out on the stage and looked up at my mother's face every night, I said, 'Hello,' I said, 'Goodbye.' I said, 'Thank you. I hope you’re proud of me.' I said, 'Please protect me and keep me sane.'"