Director Madonna arrives for the premiere of her film W.E. in London January 11, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

Madonna "needs" to have a partner in her life.

The 53-year-old singer - who is currently dating 24-year-old dancer Brahim Zaibat - explained while her children Lourdes, 15, Rocco, 11, David Banda and Mercy James, both 5, fulfill her in many ways, she constantly feels the need to have a boyfriend as she doesn't want to live alone.

She said: "I don't want to live my life on my own. I love being a mother. My children fill me up in many ways, and inspire me in many ways, but I need a partner in my life and I think most people feel that way.

"I've never really lived a conventional life, so I think it's quite foolish for me or anyone else to start thinking that I am going to start making conventional choices."

Despite having also dated 24-year-old Brazilian model Jesus Luz following her divorce from director Guy Ritchie three years ago, Madonna maintains she didn't intend to have relationships with younger men and blames the "romantic" in her for her choice in boyfriends.

She added in an interview on 'Nightline': "I didn't choose to, you know, I didn't, like, write down on a piece of paper I'm now going to have a relationship with a younger man.

"That's just what happened. You see, that's the romantic in me. I just met someone that I cared for, and this happened to be his age."