A love that lasts a lifetime. Madonna joined ex-husband Sean Penn at a pre–Golden Globe benefit gala for the J/P Haitian Relief Organization in Beverly Hills on Saturday, January 9 — and the former couple didn’t hide their adoration for one another.
Madonna, 57, brought her children David and Mercy with her to the event, and an eyewitness tell Us Weekly that Penn, 55, personally escorted her into the building.
Later, to close out his speech about the importance of raising awareness to help those in Haiti, the Gunman actor called the "Rebel Heart" singer to the stage.
“So I'm going to do something for the second time tonight to show my humility, if, when we get to the auction part, you show me yours,” he said. “I’m going to get on one knee and I'm going to look at a ukulele and I'm going to say to an Italian chick from Michigan — will ya?"
Madonna took to the stage and thanked the gathered guests for being there, telling them that she “couldn’t think of a better place” to be on her night off from touring. She recalled visiting Haiti with Penn and her son Rocco two years ago and seeing the way people reacted to his presence.
@Madonna:I wanna say Sean that I love you,from the moment that I laid eyes on you.And I still love you,just the same pic.twitter.com/e26q5gPGBj
— DrownedMadonna.com (@DrownedMadonna) January 10, 2016
“Everywhere he went, people just — the crowds just parted, and it wasn’t because he’s a movie star and it’s not because he was carrying six guns. It’s because he put his heart and soul into this and with the help of so many people around the world and in this room,” she said. “So I want to say that, Sean, I love you. From the moment that I laid eyes on you. And I still love you, just the same. I just wish you would stop smoking so many cigarettes.”
Madonna then launched into a touching rendition of “La Vie en Rose” while strumming on her ukulele.
The pair were married in 1985, but called off their tumultuous relationship four years later. They have remained friendly ever since. Penn has been spotted at Madonna's concerts in recent years, and introduced the iconic singer to his daughter last year.
Since their split, Penn married Robin Wright in 1996, though the pair got divorced 14 years later, in 2010. He then dated Charlize Theron and popped the question in December 2014; they called off their engagement this past June.
Madonna, meanwhile, has had several high-profile romances since their divorce, and married Guy Ritchie in 2000. The couple split in 2008.
Last year, Madonna defended Penn in a lawsuit claiming that the actor is abusive toward women. (Their marriage was plagued with rumors that Penn had beat her; she went on record in December denying any such incidents.)
