Golden oldie Madonna celebrates 50th birthday with plenty of bling

There was a massive cake, an extravagant buffet, expensive champagne and rap poets performing a special message to a Birthday Girl who was draped in gold jewellery - but a curious absence of showbiz friends.

Madonna failed to hide her dismay as her closest celebrity pals, including Gwyneth Paltrow and Stella McCartney, snubbed her £100,000 50th birthday party at the swanky Volstead nightclub in London's Mayfair on Saturday night.

It was left to husband Guy Ritchie, 39, daughter Lourdes, 11, sons Rocco, eight, and David, two, around 50 of her dancers and some work colleagues to toast her half century.

In a 40-minute speech to her 90 guests, Madonna thanked Guy, her children and her Kabbalah religion, before admitting: "I'm really disappointed.

"There are a lot of people who are not here tonight, but thanks to everyone who did make it.

"I can't believe I have reached half a century. It only happens once and this is an event I'm glad to be sharing with you."

After a rapturous round of Happy Birthday, Lourdes left her mum teary-eyed by playing a song from Fame on the grand piano as a surprise.

Guy, who helped organise the party, had spared no expense. The buffet, on tables adorned with roses and candles, included kosher-prepared Wagyu beef, foie gras and caviar, all washed down with £450 bottles of Krug Rose champagne, martinis, "Crackbaby" cocktails and mojitos. Dominating the display was a three-tiered chocolate, raspberry and vanilla birthday cake covered in silver balls and crystallised rose petals.

Guy also made a speech, telling his missus: "Out of all your years, you look your most beautiful." But he couldn't resist pointing out that most of Madge's guests worked for her. And he refused to join her on the dancefloor, which had a huge 'M' in the middle.

Weirdly, he had also spent the entire day working. He had organised a private screening for industry critics of his movie RocknRolla at the National Film Theatre on London's Southbank.

A source said: "It was as if he was trying to make a point by not being at her beck and call."

http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/2008/08/18/3am-exclusive-golden-oldie-madonna-celebrates-50th-birthday-with-plenty-of-bling-115875-20702458/