Lourdes Leon says Madonna ‘controlled all of her life’ but she wanted independence

Lourdes Leon has opened up about what it was like growing up with Madonna as a mum.

The model, and Madge’s eldest child, said her mother was “such a control freak” and “controlled her whole life”.

As soon as Lourdes left secondary school she started paying for her own college education and her apartment so she could be independent of the superstar, known for her exacting nature.

Speaking to Interview Magazine, the 24-year-old said: “We don’t get any handouts in my family… but obviously I grew up with extreme privilege.

“Also, I feel like if your parents pay for things, then it gives them leverage over you.”

Lourdes also said that Madonna, 63, has encouraged her to have a diverse career and not just be a model – like herself.

She said: “My mum 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.

“Financially, modelling is a smart decision. I enjoy being very hands-on with the campaigns I do, so that I’m not just modelling, per se.”

Lourdes, also known as Lola, then remarked that she was “not sure” about branching out into acting.

She is the daughter of Madonna and Cuban actor Carlos Leon, who was in a relationship with the singer between 1995 and 1997.

They reportedly met while out jogging in New York City when Carlos, 55, was a personal trainer to the stars.

Lourdes previously spoke to Vanity Fair about an “emotional” trip to her dad’s native country and said: “I look like my grandmother, and my family members were all freaking out, grabbing my face.”

She said she hopes to spend more time there.

Previously Lourdes has also spoken about how her mum pushed her hard to do ballet lessons and if she could have any dream dinner guests they would be Prince Charles and Rasputin.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk