Madonna has revealed she suffered a harrowing private struggle during her last Australian tour.

The Material Girl hitmaker, 67, was last Down Under back in 2016 on a tour that was marred by middling reviews and frequent lateness.

Almost ten years on, Madonna has revealed the mental toll that dealing with a bitter custody dispute over son Rocco with ex-husband Guy Ritchie had taken on her.

Speaking on the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast, Madonna admitted that the dispute affected her so much, she even contemplated suicide.

'There were moments in my life where I wanted to cut my arms off,' the pop queen candidly revealed.

'I actually contemplated suicide and that probably sounds really weird coming from me because I'm not emo.'

Madonna, 67, has revealed she suffered a harrowing private struggle during her last Australian tour

When pressed on what had caused her disturbing ideation, Madonna admitted it was the prospect of losing custody of Rocco.

'I'm not in the blame game, but I would say probably one of the most painful moments in my life was when I went through a custody battle with my son,' she said.

'Even though my marriage didn't work out... someone trying to take my child away from me, they might as well just kill me.'

Madonna then detailed the difficulty of coping with the custody battle while trying to maintain a brave face for fans.

'I was on tour at the time and I had to go onstage every night,' she said.

'I would just be lying on the floor of my dressing room sobbing. I really thought it was the end of the world. I just couldn't take it.'

Madonna admitted that her mindset changed when she started to view the incident as a learning experience.

There were some clues for Australian fans about Madonna's private struggle when she visited the country for her Rebel Heart tour.

The Material Girl hitmaker, 67, was last Down Under back in 2016 on a tour that was marred by middling reviews and frequent lateness. (Pictured: Madonna performing in Melbourne, 2016)

Almost ten years on, Madonna has revealed the mental toll that dealing with a bitter custody dispute over son Rocco with ex husband Guy Ritchie had taken on her. (Pictured: Madonna and Guy with son Rocco and daughter Lourdes in 2007)

'I'm not in the blame game, but I would say probably one of the most painful moments in my life was when I went through a custody battle with my son,' she said on the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast. Pictured: Madonna with Rocco, 2013)

Madonna, 67, looks worlds away from her usual glamour as she wraps herself in a scarf in Paris

Reports of onstage drunkenness and epically late starts mired the anticipated tour - her first in Australia since 2004.

Her 'chaotic' appearance at the Rod Laver Arena included an emotional plea to the crowd, begging, 'Somebody take care of me please. Who is going to take care of me?'

After falling off a tricycle, she told her fans she had 'messed up' her songs, before joking: 'You would think it was in my DNA,' according to The Sun.

Madonna seemed visibly affected by Rocco's decision to live with his father Guy in London.

She reportedly said: 'If I have learnt one thing in my life, it's just to go with it. If you just laugh it doesn't hurt as much.'

Brisbane fans were also left furious when Madonna arrived three-and-a-half hours late for the first of her two Brisbane shows.

The show was due to kick off at 8pm, and concert-goers were told the songstress wouldn't appear on stage until 10.30pm.

But they were then left waiting almost another hour before the star started the performance at 11.22pm.

'Even though my marriage didn't work out... someone trying to take my child away from me, they might as well just kill me,' she added. (Pictured: Madonna and Guy Ritchie, 2000)

'I was on tour at the time and I had to go onstage every night,' she said. 'I would just be lying on the floor of my dressing room sobbing. I really though it was the end of the world. I just couldn't take it.' (Pictured: Madonna in Melbourne in 2016)

New Zealand fans were also outraged after she took to the stage one-and-a-half hours late.

Prior to that, Madonna arrived for her performance close to midnight (three hours late) during her concert at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in the Philippines.

Madonna split with Guy Ritchie in 2008 after nearly eight years of marriage.

Aside from Rocco, Madonna is also mum to Lourdes, 28, with Carlos Leon, and adopted children David, 20, Mercy, 19, and twins Stella and Estere, 13.

Anyone struggling with their mental health is urged to call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

Madonna's 'painful' mental heath struggle during 2016 Australian tour