Madonna No Longer Begging for Mercy

Madonna has legally won the right to adopt 3-year-old Malawian orphan, Mercy James.

Madge was denied her request to adopt Malawi a few months ago, but she stayed up all night this morning waiting for the news.

"My client has been awake all night waiting for this," Madonna's Malawi lawyer, Alan Chinula, spoke to his client as soon as the ruling was made official, at around 2 a.m. her time Friday. "She was ecstatic when I broke the news to her. She said, 'Thank heavens.' "

Madonna issued the following statement today: "I am extremely grateful for the Supreme Court's ruling on my application to adopt Mercy James. I am ecstatic ... My family and I look forward to sharing our lives with her."

It should take up to five days before the paperwork is ready. Mercy will be coming to the States via private jet. She's lucky! Congrats.