Madonna kicked off her 51st birthday weekend with a show in Krakow, Poland on Friday where she was greeted with a serenade from fans as well as some angry protesters.

The next day she brought her kids and Jesus Luz to Portofino for a hard-earned vacation.

She has a few days off from her Sticky and Sweet tour, and last night she celebrated her big day properly with a candle-lit dinner at the town’s Splendido Hotel.

Madonna was up early this morning for a day on the water, taking a boat ride with Jesus, David and Mercy before a swim with Lourdes and Rocco.

No stop in Portofino would be complete without a visit with Dolce and Gabbana, and after saying hello to the guys Madonna and her gang finally called it a day.

Following Thursday’s devastating stadium collapse that killed two and injured more than 30, Madonna is continuing to do what she can to support the victims in Marseille.

On Sunday morning, the originally scheduled concert date, the songstress arrived in the French city to visit several of the hospitalized victims, reports People. While it is unknown how many of the injured Madonna will see, the workers are being treated in three separate hospitals throughout Marseille.

The pop icon has been forthcoming with her emotions since the stadium’s collapse late last week, first saying: “I am devastated to have just received this tragic news. My prayers go out to those who were injured and their families, along with my deepest sympathy to all those affected by this heartbreaking news.”

The show went on as Madonna took the stage in Udine, Italy, on Thursday night, but not without a tearful tribute to those who lost their lives in the accident. “We’re here to give life and to inspire life,” she explained to her audience. “I feel so, so devastated to be in any way associated with anyone’s suffering.”

“Let’s all just take a moment to appreciate life in general…We are all so blessed and so lucky to be alive.”

While French authorities have opened a manslaughter investigation into the collapse, Madonna is scheduled to continue her world tour on July 21 with a sold-out stop in Barcelona.

The reigning queen of pop paid her respects to the late King of Pop Saturday night with a musical tribute to the star.

Madonna performed in the O2 in London, the same arena where Michael Jackson was set to stage his “This is it” tour on July 13.

As Madonna sang “Holiday” during her “Sticky and Sweet” tour, a Michael Jackson impersonator took the stage, sporting a sequin-embellished jacket, a Jackson-esque white glove, white socks and a white t-shirt. An image of Jackson as a child appeared in the background.

The impersonator then danced to Jackson’s “Wanna Be Starting Something” and even took on the music legend’s iconic moonwalk.

After Madonna shouted “Let’s give it up for one of the greatest artists the world has ever known,” the pop star and her dancers wore jeweled gloves on their right hands to honor Jackson in their last dance.

Madonna wasn’t the only mega-star that paid tribute to Jackson since his death. U2 gave respects to the musical prodigy at their opening concert in Barcelona when they sang “Angel of Harlem”. Bono threw in some lyrics to some of Jackson’s greatest hits.

Was Madonna just horsing around?

Despite her rep’s claim that a pesky paparazzo was to blame for Madonna’s weekend fall from a horse in the Hamptons, the officers who responded to the scene said the Material One made no mention of any shutterbug involvement.

“She was a victim of a fall from a horse. We have no mention of the paparazzi,” Officer Chris Brenner, a spokesman for the Southampton Village Police Department, tells E! News. “We got a call that the subject fell off the horse and treated it as an aided case.

The call came in at 4:24 p.m. Saturday and, per standard operating procedure, Southampton’s finest showed up to assist emergency medical personnel.

Madonna is looking to get back on the horse, literally and figuratively.

While the Material Mama is still recovering from minor injuries after being thrown from her steed Saturday, her lawyers are busy saddling up for round two of her attempt to adopt 3-year-old Chifundo “Mercy” James.

On May 4, a three-judge panel from Malawi’s Supreme Court of Appeal will convene to hear Madonna’s opposition to a lower court’s decision earlier this month rejecting her bid to take custody of the girl.Madonna is not required to be present during the hearing, which could last up to two weeks and which will be held in closed chambers due to the fact that a minor is involved.

The “4 Minutes” singer was photographed holding hands with the 22-year-old Brazilian model at a Kabbalah center in New York yesterday (April 16, 2009).

The couple – who were rumored to have split last month after Madonna refused to meet her lover’s mother – were later spotted having dinner at exclusive Manhattan restaurant Morandi.

An onlooker said: “Madonna couldn’t wipe the smile off her face and was clearly glad to have Jesus around again.”

The 50-year-old star was left devastated when a Malawian judge rejected her bid to adopt four-year-old orphan Mercy James two weeks ago.
She reportedly didn’t eat for days, was seen sobbing in public and even gave up her grueling exercise regime.

A source said: “Madonna attended a Passover dinner in London held by members of her Kabbalah faith and broke down in tears about Mercy.”

“She has abandoned her strict macrobiotic diet and has even stopped training since she returned from Malawi and seems to be in a trance a lot of the time. She has already dropped 5 lbs.”

Madonna’s spirits are said to have been boosted since she rekindled her romance with Jesus.

Another source added: “She has been through heartache and it made her re-evaluate what’s important. She missed her man.”

Madonna has appealed the court’s ruling on the adoption.

The singer – whose bid to adopt Malawian orphan Mercy James was rejected last week – called the “RocknRolla” director’s London home to talk to their son Rocco, eight.

But just minutes into their conversation, the 50-year-old singer reportedly began sobbing and asked to speak to Guy, who she divorced in January because of his “unreasonable behavior.”
Madonna has been in tears on the phone to her ex-husband Guy Ritchie.

A source said: “Civil conversations between them have been few and far between in the past year. But over the last week things have improved.”

“Guy had Rocco over for a visit when Madonna called to see if he was OK, as she always does when she is away from the kids.”
“Rocco was speaking to her and suddenly turned to Guy and said, ‘Daddy, daddy. Mommy is crying.’ He then handed Guy the phone.”

Guy spent an hour comforting his ex, and now calls Madonna every day to see how she is.

The source continued to Britain’s The Sun newspaper: “It’s unusual for Madonna to cry but this has really upset her. Explaining to Rocco why Mercy wasn’t coming home has been difficult.”

“Guy was incredibly sympathetic, calmed her down and told her to be happy with the family she had.”

Madonna and her children Lourdes, 12, Rocco and David, three, flew into Malawi last week to finalize the adoption of Mercy, four.

The singer was expecting to be granted custody immediately but Judge Esme Chombo rejected the case because Madonna has not lived in Malawi for 18 months or more.

Guy, 40, has publicly supported the adoption bid and was “saddened” when it was turned down.

He said: “I fully supported Madonna in her decision to apply for this adoption, and I am saddened her application has been rejected.”

“She is motivated only by being a caring parent who seeks to share some of the advantages and opportunities that her life has given her.”

Madonna has injured herself after ”flying off” a treadmill.

The 50-year-old singer twisted her ankle yesterday (April 2, 2009) when she fell off the running machine she had flown to Malawi so she could keep fit while waiting for the adoption of her second African child to be finalized.

A worker at the Kumbali Lodge Hotel – where the star and her children Lourdes, 12, Rocco, eight, and David, three, are staying – said: “There was a bang and she came suddenly flying off the back of the running machine. She looked hurt.”

The injury was quickly treated by Madonna’s trainer and the star was ordered to rest for the day, forcing her to cancel her planned visits to local orphanages.

The worker added to Britain’s The Sun newspaper: “In Malawi most people do not even know what a gym is. Our staff are fascinated by the fact you can run but not go anywhere on a treadmill. They say, ‘What is the point?’”

Madonna is due in court in the country’s capital Lilongwe today (April 3, 2009) to learn if her bid to adopt four-year-old orphan Mercy James has been approved.

High Court
Judge Esme Chombo has reportedly already told the star she will be granted custody.

Once the final papers have been signed, Madonna is expected to fly her family – including her new daughter – to her home in London, where staff have been preparing for the new arrival for months.

A new nursery has been constructed and the star has even hired a Chichewa-speaking nanny.

Employees in Madonna’s New York home have also been getting ready for Mercy. A friend said: “Madonna has been preparing for months, if not years.”

Madonna’s bid to adopt another Malawian child has been approved.

High Court Judge Esme Chombo is not due to make an official ruling on the adoption of four-year-old orphan Mercy James until Friday (April 3, 2009), but Chombo has reportedly told the singer she will be granted custody.

A senior Malawian official said: “This is all very confidential, and Judge Chombo must still make her ruling – but that ruling will be in favor of Madonna.”

“Madonna is a very good mother and ambassador for Malawi. She has improved the lives of thousands of orphans.”

The 50-year-old star was photographed with Mercy for the first time yesterday (March 31, 2009) and the child is believed to be spending all her time with Madonna and the pop beauty’s other children – Lourdes, 12, Rocco, eight, and three-year-old David, who was also adopted from Malawi.

Madonna spent an hour in court in the African country’s capital Lilongwe on Monday (March 30, 2009), telling Chombo she would be “a deeply loving mother” to Mercy, whose Malawian name is Chifundo.

In adoption papers, the singer said: “To deny Chifundo the opportunity to be adopted by me could expose her to hardship and emotional trauma which is otherwise avoidable.”

Madonna and her family – including her new daughter – are expected to fly to Britain on Saturday (April 4, 2009) and the “4 Minutes” hit maker has reportedly told staff at her London home to “prepare for the arrival of my new little girl.”

Madonna – who has been accused of using her fame to bend Malawi’s adoption laws to her advantage – knew her decision to adopt a second child would attract criticism but insisted she didn’t care.

Her friend, British filmmaker Ben Fellows, said: “Once Madonna puts her mind to something, she achieves it – and this adoption is no different.”

“She told me she thought it was very important that David had a sister from the same background as him and she had unconditional love to give another child.”

“She knew exactly what she was walking into. She sent me an email just before she left for Malawi and signed it off, ‘Let the storm commence!’”

Fellows insists Madonna – whose ex-husband is British director Guy Ritchie – is an excellent mother, and will be able to offer Mercy a wonderful home.

He said: “Despite her reputation, Madonna is a warm, loving woman. She speaks from the heart.”

“She couldn’t understand the criticism. Surely it shows how loved Mercy James is going to be that Madonna is prepared to go through all of this again in order to adopt her?”

Madonna is expected to leave Malawi with her new daughter today (March 30, 2009).

The 50-year-old singer arrived in the African nation yesterday (March 29, 2009) with her children Lourdes, 12, Rocco, eight, and David, three, who was also adopted from Malawi.

She is due in court in the nation’s capital Lilongwe today to sign the final papers to adopt four-year-old orphan Mercy James.

If the hearing – in which a High Court judge will assess Madonna’s parenting ability – goes to plan, the “4 Minutes” singer will be able to take Mercy back to America this afternoon.

A court source said: “Madonna will appear before a judge to petition the court to certify her adoption. Madonna will definitely be granted a temporary court order to allow her to take the child away with her.”

Mercy – whose unmarried teenage mother died two weeks after giving birth to her – grew up in an orphanage in the southern town of Bvumbwe.

Madonna was introduced to Mercy when she visited the area in 2006.

Her remaining family is reluctant to let her move to America, claiming Madonna is putting unfair pressure on them.

Uncle Peter Baneti said: “We never wanted to let Mercy go. She’s part of our family.”

“My mother, brother John and I said no three times to the orphanage, which was pressing us on Madonna’s behalf.”

“Now we have been persuaded Mercy can have a better, healthier life somewhere else in the world with this rich white woman.”

“We need more advice but everything is going so fast.”

Madonna and Lourdes spent Sunday afternoon meeting kids and handicraft workers in the impoverished village of Chinkhota.

Madonna said it was “amazing” to be back in Malawi but refused to answer questions about the adoption, saying her critics should “mind their own business.”

The star then took her eldest daughter to the Kumbali Lodge Hotel to meet the girl they hope will be the newest addition to their family.

After the court hearing this morning, Madonna is expected to take David to meet his father Yohane Banda, who hasn’t seen his son for two years.

The singer angered human rights groups when she adopted David in 2008. They accused her of using her fame to manipulate Malawi’s adoption laws.

Madonna has filed papers to adopt another African child.

An official at the Malawi Welfare Department claims the “4 Minutes” singer lodged official documents yesterday (March 26, 2009).

The subject of the papers is believed to be three-year-old Mercy James, who Madonna first met in an orphanage in 2007. Another official said Madonna will fly to Malawi this weekend.

A court could hear her adoption case as soon as Monday (March 29, 2009) and Madonna may be allowed to leave the country with Mercy.

He said: “We expect her over the weekend or earlier than that, but without a doubt she is coming before the end of this month.”

A friend says the singer has “thrown everything” into getting a new baby because she thinks it will help her get over her divorce from director Guy Ritchie.

If Mercy’s adoption is blocked by her extended family, the singer reportedly has five other little girls “on standby.”

The insider said: “She desperately wants Mercy, but there are other orphans who need homes.”

Madonna sparked controversy in 2008 when she adopted Malawian boy David Banda. Human rights activists claimed the country’s strict adoption rules had been bent because the singer is so famous.

This time around, senior officials from Malawi’s Ministry of Women and Child Welfare Development say Madonna’s turbulent love life may prevent her from adopting.

A source said: “Our official policy is that we do not encourage our children to be sent into broken homes.”

“Madonna’s relationships may negatively affect the adoption of Mercy.”

The officials do not approve of her subsequent romances with married baseball Alex “A-Rod” Rodriguez and 22-year-old model Jesus Luz.

The government representative is quoted as saying: “The news she is linked to another woman’s husband and a young man less than half her age makes us question her morals.”

Madonna has gained the approval of her boyfriend’s father.

Luiz Heitor – father of Jesus Luz, the singer’s 22-year-old Brazilian boyfriend – has given the couple his blessing, saying the 28-year age gap between them doesn’t matter.

Luiz – who, at 46, is four years younger than Madonna – is quoted as saying: “When Cupid strikes, age doesn’t matter.”

“My son told me his relationship with Madonna is serious. People speak about their difference in ages, this is nonsense.”

Luiz added he believes his son’s Christian name attracted the “Miles Away” singer – even though she is a follower of the Kabbalah faith, an offshoot of Judaism.

He added: “I believe she was first attracted to him by his handsomeness – but his name helped.”

Earlier this week, Jesus denied cheating on Madonna with underwear model Luciano Costa in Rio De Janeiro.

He said: “I danced with her, but I danced with everyone at the party. My mom was at the party and never would I become intimate with a woman if my mom was nearby – even if I was interested in that person.”

“I have nothing with Luciana. The next day I met her on the beach and greeted her normally.”

Madonna’s boyfriend insists he didn’t cheat on her – because his mother was watching him.

Jesus Luz has blasted reports he kissed lingerie model Luciana Costa, 31, at a party in his native Brazil earlier this month, insisting it would be disrespectful as he was accompanied by his mother Christiane.

He is quoted as saying: “I danced with her, but I danced with everyone at the party.”

“My mother was at my side at the party and never would I become intimate with a woman if my mother was nearby – even if I was interested in that person.”

“I have nothing with Luciana. The next day I met her on the beach and greeted her normally.”

The 22-year-old model also refused to comment on his romance with Madonna – who at 50 is 14 years older than his mother.

He added: “Even if it is true that I am with her, I would never reveal these details. I was never one to comment on my personal life and that won’t change now. This is a characteristic of my personality.”

Jesus was spotted “cavorting” with Luciana in his hometown of Rio de Janeiro last week (March 14, 2009), while Madonna was at home in New York.

An onlooker said: “Jesus was the hit of the party and all the girls went wild for him when he arrived. But Luciana was more interested than most and soon got hold of him for a dance.”

“He whispered things in her ear, grabbed her hand, put his hand around her waist.”

Madonna is planning to adopt another African child.

The 50-year-old singer – who in addition to her biological children Lourdes and Rocco also raises three-year-old Malawian son David – is seriously considering advice to further expand her family.

She said: “Many people – especially our Malawian friends – say that David should have a Malawian brother or sister.”

“It’s something I have been considering. I would only do if I had the support of the Malawian people and the government.”

Madonna admits the adoption process is a “big struggle” as Malawi has developed new adoption laws in the wake of the public scrutiny surrounding her case to care for David in 2006.

She explained to Malawi’s Nation newspaper: “David’s adoption essentially was the beginning of the creation of adoption laws in Malawi. I am the template or the role model, so to speak, for future adoptions.”

“I had my own kind of birthing pain with dealing with the press on my front doorstep, accusing me of kidnapping, or whatever you want to call it.”

Malawian officials formally approved Madonna’s adoption of David last year. Critics had accused the government of ignoring laws that ban non-residents from adopting children in Malawi.

Despite animosity between the “Hung Up” star and ex-husband Guy Ritchie – who loves in London while Madonna has returned to New York – the singer insists they are getting on well for the sake of their children.

She said: “I believe in family. So, everything between us is very amicable. We both agree that our children should always feel a deep connection with both their parents. It is our responsibility to give them that foundation.”

Madonna had planned to adopt a three-year-old Malawian girl, Mercy James, last year but had to scrap plans – which had been under negotiation for two years – because of her divorce proceedings.

Penston Kilembe, Malawi’s director of Child Welfare Services, said: “One fundamental condition in scrutinizing adoptions is the connectedness of a family. We can’t approve a child to go into a broken family because the divorce could be the result of the behavior of the party trying to adopt.”

Gwyneth Paltrow says Madonna’s problems ”dwarf” her own.

The “Iron Man” actress insists she has a lot of respect for the “Hung Up” singer because she has overcome many obstacles in her private life.

Gwyneth said: “She’s been through everything. And she’s a real survivor. Every problem that I’ve had, she’s had 10 problems worse that dwarf my own issues.”

In recent years, Madonna has endured a bitter divorce from Guy Ritchie, seen her brother Christopher Ciccone write a damning tell-all book about their relationship and face a barrage of criticism over her adoption of Malawian boy David Banda.

Gwyneth, 36, insists the public perception of Madonna as a feisty, demanding diva is far from the truth. In reality, the blonde actress says her 50-year-old friend is warm and thoughtful.

Gwyneth said: “She’s a very interested, caring woman. She’s pretty great. She’s Madonna and she comes with all this stuff but she’s pretty incredible.”

Gwyneth and Madonna have been friends for 10 years, with the singer turning to Gwyneth for support after split from Guy last year.

Guy Ritchie refers to his ex-wife Madonna as ”It.”

It has been claimed the “RocknRolla” director began using the insulting term for Madonna behind her back even before they split.

A source told Britain’s The Sun newspaper: “Even towards the end of their marriage, he would call her ‘It.’”

“He told people, ‘We can’t make ‘It’ angry.’”

“Or Guy will say, ‘Oh, ‘It’ is in a bad mood today.’ There is absolutely no love lost between them.”

Guy, 40, and Madonna, 50, announced they were divorcing last October after nearly eight years of marriage.

They were granted a decree nisi in a London High Court last November but still remain locked in a bitter custody battle over the two sons they raise, Rocco, eight and adopted David, three.

Guy wants his sons to live in Britain, whereas Madonna wants them to be based with her in New York.

She presently has a temporary custody order to keep Rocco and David with her in the US, where she has enrolled them in a school.

A US court hearing about custody of the children is scheduled for next month. Guy is also looking for an apartment in New York.

Madonna has donated clothes to the orphanage where her adopted son used to live.

The 50-year-old singer sent a box of clothes, books and toys to the Home of Hope Orphanage Center in Malawi, where David Banda, now three, lived before Madonna adopted him in 2006.

The package – which also included autographed copies of the star’s children’s books “English Roses” – had a label on it saying “From David Ritchie to friends at Home of Hope – Malawi.”

A source said: “These are clothes David can no longer use, they say he is quite a big boy now so he cannot use most of the clothes Madonna bought him immediately after he was adopted. The children were excited to receive the clothes.”

Director of the orphanage Lucy Chipeta said they had received the parcel but refused to confirm it was from Madonna, saying: “We have lots of friends across the globe who send us stuff from time to time.”

The orphanage looks after about 500 children.

David’s father Yohane Banda decided his son should live there when he was one month old, after his mother Marita died from complications relating to childbirth.

Madonna found David through Raising Malawi, a charity she set up, when she was in the country helping build another orphanage.

Despite reports that Madonna was set to debut her rumored new boyfriend and W magazine model, Jesus Luz, at the Vanity Fair post-Oscar bash on Sunday night, the singer walked the red carpet solo and spoke to Access Hollywood about a different man from her life – ex-husband Sean Penn.

Decked out in an elegant sheer black gown, Madonna posed for photographs alone at the 2009 Vanity Fair Oscar Party at the Sunset Tower Sunday night.

“Powerful speech by Sean tonight,” Access’ Tony Potts said to the singer on the red carpet.

“Yeah, amazing,” Madonna said of Sean Penn’s win for Best Actor for his work in “Milk.”

Though the Material Mom might not have had a date for the party, she kept manager and longtime friend Guy Oseary close by – along with a slew of Hollywood’s biggest names.

Inside the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, Madonna celebrated Hollywood’s big night with Sacha Baron Cohen, Gwen Stefani, Gavin Rossdale, Sheryl Crow, and Jerry Seinfeld.

The singer – and sometimes actress – was also spotted chatting with her former “League Of Their Own” director Penny Marshall.

Madonna is planning to show off her new boyfriend Jesus Luz at the Oscars.

The 50-year-old singer reportedly wants to flaunt the 22-year-old Brazilian model at the after-parties which follow the prestigious awards ceremony on Sunday (Feb 22, 2009).

A source said: “Madonna and Jesus have spent all week planning their outfits for Oscar night.”

“Madonna is planning on using the Vanity Fair party to introduce Jesus to the world as her new boyfriend, and she wants everything to be perfect!”

Madonna is hosting an exclusive bash with Demi Moore and her manager Guy Oseary, but she also plans to look in on several other events.

The pop star is keen to prove she is committed to Jesus, following claims the “Hung Up” star is only romancing the hunk to make estranged husband Guy Ritchie jealous.

The source added to America’s OK! magazine: “She’ll put to rest any rumor that Jesus was ‘just a model’ when they appeared in that racy W magazine photo shoot. Madonna and Jesus’ romance is real.”

This isn’t the first step Madonna has taken to show she is smitten with Jesus.

Earlier this month, she introduced him to two of her children – daughter Lourdes, 12, and adopted son David, three.

Madonna – who also has an eight-year-old son, Rocco, with Guy – was spotted having dinner with Jesus and her kids in a New York steakhouse.

The singer has reportedly persuaded the 22-year-old Brazilian model – who was raised a Catholic – to rethink his faith, and Jesus is now considering turning to the mystical off-shoot of Judaism.

A source said “Jesus has taken a real interest in Kabbalah and has started making a few online inquiries into the faith. He joined an online Kabbalah group and is keen to become and active member.”

“Madonna has also offered to take him to the Kabbalah center in New York and he is exceedingly keen to take her up on that.”

Jesus’ parents are believed to be concerned about the power 50-year-old Madonna appears to have over their son.

The source added to Britain’s Daily Mirror newspaper: “Jesus’ family are very traditional and quite religious so this news is sure to come as something of a shock.”

“But Jesus is totally taken with Madonna and is slightly in awe of her. Quite simply he can’t get enough, and finds her utterly compelling and bewitching.”

The pair – who recently appeared together in a steamy series of photos for W magazine – are believed to have been dating since meeting on the shoot last December.

Meanwhile, a nude photograph of the “Like a Virgin” singer, which appeared in Playboy magazine when she was 20, has been sold at auction for $37,500.

The full-frontal black and white image – for which Madonna may have earned as little $25 for the 1979 modeling session – was bought by an unnamed European collector on Thursday (Feb 12, 2009).