Madonna

Guide Note

Madonna is a singer, songwriter, dancer, actress, record producer and fashion icon who is the most successful female artist of all time, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

Fast Facts

1. Name: Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone
2. Born: August 16, 1958
3. Hometown: Bay City, Michigan
4. Debut single, "Everybody", released 1982
5. Married to Guy Ritchie
6. Years Active: 1982 - Present
7. Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008

Background

Born Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone in Bay City, Michigan, the "Material Girl" grew up in a Catholic household in suburban Detroit. After initially focusing on ballet, Madonna decided to pursue a career in dance - even gaining a dance scholarship to the University of Michigan. After dropping out of school and moving to New York City, Madonna began performing in dance clubs and experimenting with music. Her demo recordings garnered some attention and she eventually signed a deal with Sire Records - with whom she released her self-titled 1983 debut album.

Like a Virgin

While her first album received a modest amount of success, her follow-up Like a Virgin shot her to the top of the charts. The album reached #1 on the U.S. charts and went on to sell over 8 million copies - as well as spawning the hit singles "Material Girl" and "Like a Virgin". After a brief foray into acting, Madonna returned with two of the most popular albums of the decade, 1986's True Blue and 1989's Like a Prayer. The music video for the title track sparked controversy because of its use of overt catholic symbolism and imagery.

Sex and Beyond

Madonna caused an immediate controversy with the publication of a book of sexually explicit images and photographs, called SEX. While the book caused an uproar, it went on to sell almost half-a-million copies in the US. After a few more poorly reviewed films, Madonna returned in 1998 with the album Ray of Light - which won her 3 Grammy Awards and re-established her as a top flight performer.

Family

After a string of high-profile romances (including a brief marriage to actor Sean Penn), Madonna settled down with director Guy Ritchie - with whom she gave birth to her first son Rocco. A legal dispute regarding the adoption of a Malawian boy has dogged Madonna in the past few years.