madonnalourdesleon.jpg

Carlos Leon, the father of Madonna's eldest daughter Lourdes, says he's "forever grateful" to the pop icon for giving him his daughter.

"I have no regrets," Leon told People. "I wouldn't change anything. I got the best thing out of that relationship, and that's my daughter. My daughter is everything to me."

"I'm a lenient dad," Leon admits. "I'm very empathetic, and I'm good at listening to my daughter … I'm probably a bad dad when it comes to disciplining her." So does that mean Madonna is the disciplinarian?

Carlos also says he's dreading the day when his very adult 14-year-old will start dating.

"I'm dreading it so much, because she's my little girl. I want her to stay young forever," he says. "I'm already overprotective, so when the time comes, I will be ready to have a talk with the guy she brings through the door. He better be ready, because I'll give him the rundown!"

Carlos, who is a personal trainer and an actor, met Madonna in 1994. The couple split after three years together but remain friendly.