Madonna Louise Ciccone is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. Referred to as the “Queen of Pop” since the 1980s, Madonna is known for pushing the boundaries of songwriting in mainstream popular music and for the visuals she uses onstage and in music videos. She has frequently reinvented her music and image while maintaining autonomy within the recording industry. Although having sparked controversy, her works have been praised by music critics. Madonna is often cited as an influence by other artists.
Table of Contents:
1. Early Life and Career
2. Success with Albums and Singles
3. Acting Roles
4. Business Ventures
5. Later Career
6. Controversy and Criticism
7. Legacy
8. Awards and Honors
9. Discography
10. Top Madonna Quotes
Early Life and Career
Madonna was born on August 16, 1958, in Bay City, Michigan, to Silvio “Tony” Ciccone and Madonna Louise Fortin. Silvio Ciccone was a design engineer for Chrysler and General Motors. Madonna Louise Ciccone was an immigrant from Quebec, Canada. Madonna has three brothers, Anthony, Martin, and Christopher. Madonna’s mother died of breast cancer at age 30 on December 1, 1963. Madonna was six years old when her mother died.
Madonna attended Catholic schools, including a private all-girls school, Notre Dame Academy, where she was a member of the cheerleading squad and served as a student council member. After high school, she studied dance at the University of Michigan and then at the New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Madonna moved to New York City in 1978 to pursue a career in modern dance.
Success with Albums and Singles
In 1982, Madonna signed with Sire Records and released her eponymous debut album the next year. The album was a commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in several countries, including the United States, where it spent seven weeks at number one on the Billboard 200. The first single from the album, “Everybody”, peaked at number one on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart in the United States. The second single, “Burning Up”, reached the top ten in several countries, including the United States, where it peaked at number three on the Hot 100.
Madonna’s second album, Like a Virgin, was released in 1984. It was an immediate commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in several countries, including the United States, where it spent six weeks at number one on the Billboard 200. The first single from the album, “Like a Virgin”, reached the top of the charts in several countries, including the United States, where it spent six weeks at number one on the Hot 100. The second single, “Material Girl”, reached the top five in several countries, including the United States, where it peaked at number two on the Hot 100.
Madonna’s third album, True Blue, was released in 1986. It was another commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in several countries, including the United States, where it spent five weeks at number one on the Billboard 200. The first single from the album, “Live to Tell”, reached the top of the charts in several countries, including the United States, where it spent three weeks at number one on the Hot 100. The second single, “Papa Don’t Preach”, reached the top five in several countries, including the United States, where it peaked at number one on the Hot 100.
Madonna’s fourth album, Like a Prayer, was released in 1989. It was another commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in several countries, including the United States, where it spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard 200. The first single from the album, “Like a Prayer”, reached the top of the charts in several countries, including the United States, where it spent three weeks at number one on the Hot 100. The second single, “Express Yourself”, reached the top five in several countries, including the United States, where it peaked at number two on the Hot 100.
Acting Roles
Madonna made her film debut in the 1985 film Desperately Seeking Susan. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing $20 million at the box office. Madonna’s performance in the film was praised by critics. She then starred in the 1986 film Shanghai Surprise, which was a critical and commercial failure. In 1987, she starred in the film Who’s That Girl, which was a commercial success, grossing $17 million at the box office.
In 1988, Madonna starred in the film Dick Tracy, which was a critical and commercial success, grossing $103 million at the box office. Madonna’s performance in the film was praised by critics. In 1992, she starred in the film A League of Their Own, which was a critical and commercial success, grossing $107 million at the box office.
In 1996, Madonna starred in the film Evita, which was a critical and commercial success, grossing $141 million at the box office. Madonna’s performance in the film was praised by critics. She won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for her performance in the film.
Business Ventures
In 1992, Madonna founded an entertainment company, Maverick, including the label Maverick Records. Maverick Records was a joint venture with Time Warner. The label’s first release was Madonna’s album Erotica in 1992. The label went on to release albums by other artists, including Alanis Morissette, The Prodigy, and Candlebox. In 1996, Madonna and Time Warner parted ways and Madonna became the sole owner of Maverick.
In 2001, Madonna launched her own fashion line, called Material Girl, in collaboration with her daughter Lourdes. The line was aimed at teenage girls and featured clothing, shoes, and accessories. In 2007, Madonna launched another fashion line, called MDNA, in collaboration with her daughter Lourdes. The line was aimed at adults and featured clothing, shoes, and accessories.
In 2010, Madonna launched her own line of skincare products, called MDNA Skin. The line includes skincare, cosmetics, and fragrances. In 2012, Madonna launched a line of fitness apparel, called Hard Candy Fitness. The line is aimed at women and includes clothing, shoes, and accessories.
Later Career
Madonna’s eighth studio album, Music, was released in 2000. It was another commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in several countries, including the United States, where it spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard 200. The first single from the album, “Music”, reached the top of the charts in several countries, including the United States, where it spent four weeks at number one on the Hot 100. The second single, “Don’t Tell Me”, reached the top five in several countries, including the United States, where it peaked at number four on the Hot 100.
Madonna’s ninth studio album, American Life, was released in 2003. It was a commercial failure, reaching the top ten in only a handful of countries. The first single from the album, “American Life”, was a commercial failure, reaching the top forty in only a handful of countries. The second single, “Hollywood”, was a moderate success, reaching the top ten in several countries, including the United States, where it peaked at number seven on the Hot 100.
Madonna’s tenth studio album, Confessions on a Dance Floor, was released in 2005. It was another commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in several countries, including the United States, where it spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard 200. The first single from the album, “Hung Up”, reached the top of the charts in several countries, including the United States, where it spent three weeks at number one on the Hot 100. The second single, “Sorry”, was a moderate success, reaching the top ten in several countries, including the United States, where it peaked at number nine on the Hot 100.
Madonna’s eleventh studio album, Hard Candy, was released in 2008. It was another commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in several countries, including the United States, where it spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard 200. The first single from the album, “4 Minutes”, reached the top of the charts in several countries, including the United States, where it spent three weeks at number one on the Hot 100. The second single, “Give It 2 Me”, was a moderate success, reaching the top ten in several countries, including the United States, where it peaked at number nine on the Hot 100.
Controversy and Criticism
Madonna has been the subject of controversy throughout her career. In 1984, she caused controversy with the release of her album Like a Virgin, which included the song “Like a Virgin”. The song caused controversy because of its suggestive lyrics. In 1985, she caused controversy with the release of her album Like a Virgin, which included the song “Papa Don’t Preach”. The song caused controversy because of its lyrics about teenage pregnancy. In 1989, she caused controversy with the release of her album Like a Prayer, which included the song “Like a Prayer”. The song caused controversy because of its religious imagery.
In 1990, she caused controversy with the release of her album Like a Prayer, which included the song “Vogue”. The song caused controversy because of its use of religious imagery. In 1991, she caused controversy with the release of her book Sex. The book caused controversy because of its explicit content. In 1992, she caused controversy with the release of her album Erotica, which included the song “Erotica”. The song caused controversy because of its explicit lyrics.
In 1994, she caused controversy with the release of her album Bedtime Stories, which included the song “Take a Bow”. The song caused controversy because of its lyrics about domestic violence. In 1996, she caused controversy with the release of her album Evita, which included the song “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina”. The song caused controversy because of its political lyrics. In 1998, she caused controversy with the release of her album Ray of Light, which included the song “Frozen”. The song caused controversy because of its lyrics about child molestation.
Legacy
Madonna is one of the most successful recording artists of all time. She has sold more than 300 million records worldwide and is the best-selling female recording artist of all time by Guinness World Records. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has listed her as the second highest-certified female artist in the United States, with 64.5 million album units. According to Billboard, Madonna is the most successful solo artist in the Hot 100 chart history.
Madonna has been praised by critics for her songwriting, performance, and influence on popular culture. She has been referred to as the “Queen of Pop” and “Queen of Dance” throughout her career. In 1999, she was honored as the Billboard Artist of the Decade. In 2008, Billboard ranked Madonna number two on their list of the Hot 100 All-Time Top Artists, behind only the Beatles. In 2012, she was ranked number one on VH1’s list of the 100 Greatest Women in Music.
Awards and Honors
Madonna has won seven Grammy Awards, including the Award for Best Pop Vocal Album for Ray of Light (1998) and the Award for Best Dance Recording for “Music” (2000). She has also been nominated for 13 Grammy Awards, including the Award for Album of the Year for Ray of Light (1998) and the Award for Record of the Year for “4 Minutes” (2008). In 1996, Madonna won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for her performance in the film Evita.
In addition to her Grammy Awards, Madonna has won numerous other awards and honors, including the Legend Award and the Millennium Award. She has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2012, she was ranked number one on VH1’s list of the 100 Greatest Women in Music.
Discography
Madonna has released fourteen studio albums, three soundtrack albums, five live albums, and two compilation albums. Her debut album, Madonna (1983), was a commercial success and spawned three top-ten singles on the Billboard Hot 100: “Holiday”, “Lucky Star”, and “Borderline”. Her second album, Like a Virgin (1984), was an even bigger success, reaching number one on the Hot 100 and selling more than ten million copies worldwide. The album’s title track topped the Hot 100 for six weeks and became one of Madonna’s signature songs.
Top Madonna Quotes
“I’m not going to compromise my artistic integrity.” – Madonna
“I think the ultimate challenge is to have some kind of style and grace, even though you haven’t got money, or standing in society, or formal education. I had a very middle, lower-middle class sort of upbringing, but I identify with people who’ve had, at some point in their lives to struggle to survive. It adds another color to your character.” – Madonna
“If I can’t be daring in my work or the way I live my life, then I don’t really see the point of being on this planet.” Madonna
“Sometimes I look back at myself and remember things I used to say, or my hairstyle, and I cringe.” – Madonna
“We learn our lessons; we get hurt; we want revenge. Then we realize that actually, happiness and forgiving people is the best revenge.” — Madonna
“I’m tough, I’m ambitious, and I know exactly what I want. If that makes me a bitch, okay.” – Madonna
“I am because we are. We all bleed the same color. We all want to love and be loved.” – Madonna
“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.” – Madonna
“I went to New York. I had a dream. I wanted to be a big star. I didn’t know anybody. I wanted to dance. I wanted to sing. I wanted to do all those things. I wanted to make people happy. I wanted to be famous. I wanted everybody to love me. I wanted to be a star. I worked really hard and my dream came true.” – Madonna
“My father was very strong. I don’t agree with a lot of the ways he brought me up. I don’t agree with a lot of his values, but he did have a lot of integrity, and if he told us not to do something, he didn’t do it either.” – Madonna
“Only when I’m dancing can I feel this free.” – Madonna
“Power is being told you’re not loved and not being destroyed by it.” — Madonna
“Be strong, believe in freedom and in God, love yourself, have a sense of humor, don’t judge people by their religion, color or habits, love life and your family.” — Madonna
“I stand for freedom of expression, doing what you believe in, and going after your dreams.” — Madonna
“One of the things that helps me tell a story through music is to create a character. I have to have a muse, whether it’s Frida Kahlo, Martha Graham, Marlene Dietrich, or Pippi Longstocking.” Madonna
“I wouldn’t have turned out the way I was if I didn’t have all those old-fashioned values to rebel against.” – Madonna
“Fame is a by-product. Fame is something that should happen because you do work that speaks to people and people want to know about your work. Unfortunately, the personality of people has taken over from the work and the artistry and it’s this thing now that stands on its own. I don’t think one should ever aspire to being famous.” – Madonna
“People think they will wake up one day and I’ll be gone. But I’m never going away.” – Madonna
“It’s not easy having a good marriage – but I don’t want easy. Easy doesn’t make you grow. Easy doesn’t make you think. I thank God every day that I am married to a man who makes me think. That’s my definition of true love.” — Madonna
“When I’m hungry, I eat. When I’m thirsty, I drink. When I feel like saying something, I say it.” – Madonna
“A lot of people are afraid to say what they want. That’s why they don’t get what they want.” – Madonna
“Everyone probably thinks that I’m a raving nymphomaniac, that I have an insatiable sexual appetite, when the truth is I’d rather read a book.” – Madonna
“The last thing I want is to raise a brat. We could definitely go down the wrong road. I don’t want Lola to have everything she wants. I want her to appreciate things, and not to be presumptuous. I want her to have manners and social graces.” – Madonna
“No matter who you are, no matter what you did, no matter where you’ve come from, you can always change, become a better version of yourself.” — Madonna
“On the one hand, the idea of marriage and the sort of traditional family life repulses me. But on the other hand, I long for it, you know what I mean? I’m constantly in conflict with things. And it is because of my past and my upbringing and the journey that I’ve been on.” — Madonna
“Ever since my daughter was born, I feel the fleetingness of time. And I don’t want to waste it on getting the perfect lip color.” – Madonna
“If your joy is derived from what society thinks of you, you’re always going to be disappointed.” — Madonna
“I laugh at myself. I don’t take myself completely seriously. I think that’s another quality that people have to hold on to… you have to laugh, especially at yourself.” – Madonna
“I have the same goal I’ve had ever since I was a girl. I want to rule the world.” – Madonna
“I think you can be defiant and rebellious and still be strong and positive.” – Madonna
“To be brave is to love someone unconditionally, without expecting anything in return. To just give. That takes courage, because we don’t want to fall on our faces or leave ourselves open to hurt.” – Madonna
“Listen, everyone is entitled to my opinion.” – Madonna
“There’s no such thing as the perfect soul mate. If you meet someone and you think they’re perfect, you better run as fast as you can in the other direction. ‘Cos your soulmate is the person that pushes all your buttons, pisses you off on a regular basis, and makes you face your shit.” – Madonna
“I’m not interested in being Wonder Woman in the delivery room. Give me drugs.” – Madonna
“The worst thing about being famous? I think it’s what everybody says…the lack of privacy and the idea that you’re not really allowed to make mistakes and everything that you do is viewed under a microscope.” – Madonna
“There are moments when I can’t believe I’m as old as I am. But I feel better physically than I did 10 years ago. I don’t think, Oh God, I’m missing something.” – Madonna
“To me, the whole process of being a brush stroke in someone else’s painting is a little difficult” – Madonna
“Power without guilt, love without doubt.” — Madonna
“Fame is a form of misunderstanding.” — Madonna
“I am rich and famous. I have a talented and gorgeous husband and two beautiful children. I could go on.” – Madonna
“My having a child is not for public consumption. It’s not a career move. It’s not a performance to be judged or rated. Nor is my role as a mother.” – Madonna
“I’d like to think I am taking people on a journey; I am not just entertaining people but giving them something to think about when they leave.” – Madonna
“Better to live one year as a tiger than a hundred years as a sheep.” — Madonna
“My priority is my family, absolutely, 100 percent.” – Madonna
“If you have children, you know you’re responsible for somebody. You realize you are being imitated; your belief systems and priorities have a direct influence on these children, who are like flowers in a garden.” — Madonna
“I am my own experiment. I am my own work of art.” – Madonna
“It’s not my nature to just kick back.” – Madonna
“I’ve been popular and unpopular successful and unsuccessful loved and loathed and I know how meaningless it all is. Therefore, I feel free to take whatever risks I want.” – Madonna
“I feel just as hungry today as I did the day I left home.” – Madonna
“If I was a girl again, I would like to be like my fans, I would like to be like Madonna.” – Madonna
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