Madonna Banned Her Daughter Lola from Dating until 18 — the Girl Grew Up into a Beautiful Lady

Madonna is known for her bold persona. The pop icon revolutionized the music industry with provocative imagery and lyrics in the ’80s and ’90s. However, when it comes to parenting, she adopts a surprisingly strict approach, a stark contrast to her public image.

The woman who fought for sexual liberation and posed for risqué photoshoots later became a conservative mother. Being Madonna’s daughter wasn’t a typical childhood for Lourdes “Lola” Leon. From a young age, Lola was introduced to a set of rules that would shape her upbringing.

Early Life and Restrictions

At the tender age of 10, Lola’s mother gave her a clear directive. Dating was off-limits until she turned 18. This rule was just one of many that Madonna imposed on her daughter. She was the disciplinarian in the family, setting boundaries that many might find surprising.

Television, which Madonna considered “trash,” was completely off-limits. She even had a unique approach to teaching Lola about cleanliness. If Lola left her clothes strewn around her room, Madonna would take them away. Whenever she failed to make her bed or tidy her room, Madonna would reduce her weekly allowance.

As Lola grew older, the rules became more stringent. By 15, her mom had forbidden her from altering her appearance using hair dye, tattoos, or piercings. “I’m a strict mother,” she said. Madonna was clear about her stance, stating, “Lourdes can do any of those things once she’s 18. But until then…”

It showed that despite her famous lineage, she was still a regular teenager navigating the ups and downs of adolescence. In a 2019 interview, Madonna expressed regret over giving her older children phones at 13.

As her family expanded, Madonna felt an increased need to protect her children instead of relaxing her rules. She shared that giving her children phones at such a young age significantly impacted their lives. It caused them to compare themselves with others, which she believed was detrimental to their self-growth.

Even with all these rules and restrictions, Lola blossomed into a beautiful, talented, and independent woman. She even found ways to assert her independence with subtle acts of rebellion against her mother’s rules.

Breaking the Rules

Lola’s first act of rebellion came during her high school years. She studied at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in Manhattan. Here, she met actor Timothée Chalamet and they formed a close bond.

Despite Madonna’s rule against dating until 18, Lola and Timothée were seen together in 2013, enjoying each other’s company. Years later, both Lola and Timothée acknowledged their relationship, with Lola referring to him as her “first boyfriend.”

After turning 20, Lola was seen embracing a new romance. She was spotted in Manhattan, New York, cuddling up to a male friend during a day out with friends. The two seemed comfortable with each other, with Lola lovingly draping her arms around his neck as they sat on a park bench.

In 2017, she got into a relationship with Jonathan Puglia, a skateboarder from Ohio. They kept their relationship secret but it later came to light when they were seen getting cozy in Miami. They were seen kissing, and at one point, he was seen helping Lola through the doorway of a bagel store.

Lola was said to be “madly in love” with the Ohio-born skateboarder. In 2021, it appeared that Lola and Jonathan were still together. They were seen attending the Milan Fashion Week in Italy, unable to keep their hands off each other. They were spotted sharing a passionate moment outside the catwalk venue.

Later, Jonathan was seen with his arm around Lola as they walked together in the city. By 2022, their relationship was still going strong. Lola’s journey into adulthood was also marked by her decision to get tattoos. By the age of 25, she had multiple tattoos.

This was a sharp contrast to Madonna, who got her first tattoo at 62. Lola’s self-expression was yet another step away from her mother’s rules. It was a sign that Lola was coming into her own. It underscored Lola’s growing individuality and independence.

Independence, Self-Expression, and Beliefs

Lola grew up in the limelight, always seen as an extension of her famous parent. That was until she stepped out of Madonna’s shadow. She made her modeling debut in 2020 with Stella McCartney. She also choreographed and co-directed the campaign for McCartney’s Adidas collaboration.

This was a welcome project during the challenging times of COVID-19. Her passion for dancing started in a ballet class when she was just three. Madonna, her mother, saw her potential and nurtured it. By age 24, she was larger than life, her face gracing billboards across America for Marc Jacobs.

At the same time, she was making waves in a viral campaign for McCartney. Soon, she became a sensation on Instagram. Lola sees herself as more than a model. She loves being hands-on with her campaigns, infusing them with her love for dance, her unique sense of style, and her aesthetic sensibilities.

By 2021, she was still exploring her interests, unsure about acting, and while she could sing, music didn’t hold much appeal for her. In Lola’s vision, models are not just silent clothing racks but personalities and artists. Madonna’s advice resonates with her, “Proceed with caution and think about what you want to be known for.”

Lola doesn’t want to be remembered just for her appearance. Independence has always been a part of Lola. Even as a child, she had her own views and didn’t always agree with her mother’s rules. “The list of things I wasn’t allowed to do is never-ending,” she recalled.

She fondly recalls a time when she was allowed to watch TV and eat cookies at a babysitter’s house, a rare treat for her. Regarding religious belief, spirituality holds a special place in Lola’s heart. She believes in God and finds solace in prayer.

She enjoys being in a relationship and taking care of her partner. She cherishes moments of togetherness, like cooking dinner for her boyfriend. The eldest daughter of Madonna is also open to having children. However, the thought of childbirth terrifies her.

Lola prides herself on being authentic, both online and offline. As for trends, the model has a strong opinion about TikTok. She admits to not liking TikTok and the culture surrounding it. She can’t quite explain why, suggesting that perhaps there’s something about it she doesn’t fully understand.

Through her views on love, life, and social media, Lola continues to carve out her own path. She’s not afraid to voice her opinions and stand up for what she believes in.

Lola’s relationship with her mother, Madonna, is a fascinating mix of admiration, rebellion, and independence. Lola humorously shared how Madonna’s wardrobe is off-limits, “When she’s not in the house, those things are locked tight, because I take everything I feel that I’m entitled to.”

Madonna, on the other hand, is full of praise for Lola’s talents, admitting she’s “green with envy” because Lola excels at everything she does. However, Madonna also recognizes that Lola doesn’t share her drive. She attributes it to the sense of entitlement social media has created in Lola.

Despite their differences, Madonna’s love for Lola is evident. On Lola’s 27th birthday, Madonna celebrated with a heartfelt Instagram post, expressing her gratitude for Lola choosing her to be her mother. “What an Auspicious day!” she wrote.

She praised Lola calling her beautiful and brave. Part of her caption read, “You saved me! Happy Birthday, Little Star! Love you for all [our] lives!! Madonna bridges the gap between personal affection and parental guidance.

Her public display of love intertwines with her private endeavors to foster resilience and self-reliance in Lola. Her daughter has embraced these lessons, suggesting that her strict upbringing bore fruit.

Reflecting on Madonna’s Strict Upbringing and Lola’s Transformation

Madonna’s strict parenting approach aimed to instill the value of hard work and independence in Lola. Lola paid for her college tuition and apartment, reflecting her financial independence. She admits, “We don’t get any handouts in my family.”

Despite growing up with extreme privilege, Lola needed to be completely independent from her mother as soon as she graduated high school. Lola’s transformation from a teenager living under strict rules to a successful model, choreographer, and co-director is truly remarkable.

She has managed to carve out her own path, separate from her mother’s fame. There is one piece of advice from Madonna that stuck with Lola. “It’s not about the money or your face or how hot you look. It’s about what you’re bringing into the world and what you’re going to leave behind,” Madonna told her.

Madonna’s strict upbringing has shaped Lola into the woman she is today – independent, talented, and grounded. Despite the strict rules and high expectations, Lola has managed to find her identity and make her mark on the world.