Madonna Celebrates 67th Birthday at Historic Palio Horse Race in Siena

Madonna celebrated her 67th birthday in Siena, Italy, fulfilling a long-held dream of attending the historic Palio horse race, a traditional event dating back to 1482 that takes place on her birthday. She was joined by her boyfriend Akeem Morris and four of her children, including daughters Mercy and Lourdes, enjoying festivities from a balcony overlooking the race, dancing with locals, and indulging in a Labubu-shaped birthday cake. The celebration was marked by a blend of excitement, pageantry, and cultural immersion, with Madonna describing the experience as a "truly sacred ritual". The event drew other celebrities like Sting and Eddie Redmayne, highlighting the race's ongoing cultural significance. This year’s birthday came after last year’s controversy over rumors that Madonna had booked the Pompeii amphitheater for a private party, which were later dismissed by authorities. Madonna also used the occasion to raise awareness about the plight of children caught in the Gaza conflict, emphasizing consciousness over politics in her social media message.