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Madonna Louise Ciccone Ritchie (born August 16 1958 ), better known as '''Madonna''', is an American Dance-pop Singer-songwriter , Record and Film Producer , Dancer , Actress , Author and Fashion icon. She is noted for her ambitious Music Video s and stage performances as well as using Political , Sexual , and Religious themes in her work. {Link without Title} Madonna has become one of the best selling music artists in , 2006-09-28 and ''Billboard'' Magazine. '' Forbes '' magazine has estimated her net worth at $325 million. In Pictures: The Richest 20 Women In Entertainment , ''Forbes'' magazine. LIFE AND CAREER Early life Madonna Louise Ciccone was born in Bay City, Michigan . She was the third of eight children (her siblings are Martin, Anthony, Christopher, Paula, Melanie, Mario, and Jennifer)1 born to Silvio "Tony" Ciccone, an Italian-American Chrysler engineer whose parents originated from Pacentro , and Madonna Louise Fortin, who was of Québécois descent. She was raised in a Catholic family in the Detroit suburbs of Pontiac and Avon Township (now Rochester Hills ). Madonna's mother died of Breast Cancer at age 30 on December 1 , 1963 . Her father later married the family Housekeeper , Joan Gustafson, and they had two children together. Madonna convinced her father to allow her to take Ballet classes. Her ballet teacher, Christopher Flynn, exposed Madonna to Gay Discotheque s. She attended Rochester Adams High School , where she was a straight-A student and a member of the Cheerleading squad. She left the University Of Michigan at the end of her sophomore year in 1978 and moved to New York City to pursue a dance career. Madonna has said: She had little money and for some time lived in squalor, working low-paying jobs including a stint at Dunkin' Donuts . She also worked as a nude model. She studied with Martha Graham and Pearl Lang , and later performed with several Modern Dance companies, including Alvin Ailey and the Walter Nicks Dancers . While performing as a dancer for the , the Breakfast Club . In it, she sang and played drums and guitar before forming the band Emmy in 1980 with drummer and former boyfriend Stephen Bray . She and Bray wrote and produced dance songs that brought her local attention in New York dance clubs. DJ and record producer Mark Kamins was impressed by her Demo Recordings , so he brought them to the attention of Sire Records founder Seymour Stein . PROFESSIONAL CAREER 1980–1985: Rise to fame for 1982's " Everybody ."]] In 1982, Madonna signed a singles deal with " and "Physical Attraction" followed in 1983, and was a success on the U.S. dance charts. These results convinced Sire Records' executives to finance an album. Her ", " Borderline ", and " Lucky Star ". At the time of its release, ''Madonna'' sold three million copies worldwide, one million of those in the U.S. It has since been certified with current sales of 8 million worldwide. World 4 Madonna: Madonna Charts and Sales Figures As Madonna rose to fame, several young females became increasingly influenced by and dressed in her fashions portrayed in photographs, live performances and music videos. Defined by lace tops, skirts over Capri pants, fishnet stockings, jewelry bearing the Christian cross, and bleached hair, this distinctive style became an iconic female fashion trend in the 1980s. Madonna.com . Music Section - Madonna (1983). Retrieved 4 May 2006 . American Vintage Blues: History of Fashion Her follow up album, '', during which she writhed on the stage (on top of a wedding cake) wearing a combination bustier/wedding gown, lacy stockings, garters, and her then-trademark "Boy Toy" belt, MSN Live Earth: Madonna - 10 moments that created an icon . In 1985, Madonna entered mainstream films, beginning with a brief appearance as a club singer in the film ''. BBC: Madonna scores 12th chart topper in the UK Madonna embarked on her first concert tour in the U.S. in 1985 titled The Virgin Tour , with opening act The Beastie Boys . In July 1985, '' charity concert at the height of the controversy, Madonna made a critical reference to the media and stated she would not take her jacket off, despite the heat, because "they might hold it against me ten years from now". Madonna Years Madonna later appeared on the cover of the NY Post newspaper quoted saying about the photographs ''"I'm NOT ashamed."'' 1986–1991: Artistic development Madonna's 1986 album '' True Blue '' prompted '' Rolling Stone '' to declare, "singing better than ever, Madonna stakes her claim as the pop poet of lower-middle-class America." ''Madonna Village'' Quoting from ''Rolling Stone'' review of ''True Blue'', 1986. Retrieved 5 May, 2006. The album included the soulful ballad " 2006 . It spawned five successful singles, which all reached the top five on the U.S. ”, “ Papa Don't Preach ”, “ Open Your Heart ”, “ True Blue ” and “ La Isla Bonita ”. World 4 Madonna: Madonna Charts and Sales Figures The music videos for the album displayed Madonna’s continued interest in pushing the boundaries of the video medium to a cinematic level, including elaborate Art Direction , Cinematography , and film devices such as character and plot. Though Madonna had already made videos expressing her sexuality, she added religious iconography, gender archetypes, and social issues to her ''oeuvre'', and these concepts would carry through her work for years to come. One notable example was the " Open Your Heart " video, her first collaboration with French photographer Jean-Baptiste Mondino . In 1987, Madonna starred in '' Who's That Girl '', and contributed four songs to its soundtrack, including the film's Title Track , which became Madonna's sixth #1 single in the U.S. The albums second single, " Causing A Commotion " also entered the top five. World 4 Madonna: Madonna Charts and Sales Figures Madonna embarked on the and Niki Haris , and moving closer to the more elaborately staged theater-inspired concert tour. It also marked her first run-in with the Vatican , with the Pope urging fans not to attend her performances in Italy . BBC News: Show Stealer Madonna on tour Later that year, Madonna released a remix album of past hits, '' You Can Dance '', which included one new song, " Spotlight ." The album sold over one million copies in the U.S. and 5 million worldwide. World 4 Madonna: Madonna Charts and Sales Figures In 1988, city officials in the town of Pacentro, Italy, Italian language Wikipedia article on Pacentro Retrieved June 1 , 2006 planned to construct a 13-foot statue of Madonna in a Bustier . The statue was intended to commemorate the fact that some of Madonna's ancestors had lived in Pacentro. Madonna's fourth album, '', “ Express Yourself ,” “ Cherish ,” “ Oh Father ,” and “ Keep It Together .” “Like a Prayer” itself hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 . Billboard: Madonna Artist Chart History " (1989) caused controversy as it was condemned by the Vatican for its ' Blasphemous ' mixture of Catholic symbolism and eroticism.]] In early 1989, Madonna signed an endorsement deal with soft drink manufacturer , Madonna was criticized for her use of burning crosses and "making out" with Jesus. Pepsi was bombarded with complaints and boycotts. Since the commercial and music video were nearly identical in visual terms, the soft drink manufacturer was unable to convince the public that their commercial actually had nothing that could be deemed inappropriate. Pepsi pulled the commercial but Madonna kept her five million dollar fee, as Pepsi had nullified the contract, not she. MyVillage: Madonna Biography In 1990, Madonna starred as "Breathless" Mahoney in a film adaptation of the popular comic book series '''', which included songs from and inspired by the film's 1930s setting. It featured the #1 House Music anthem " Vogue " (which was an ''homage'' to the Hollywood stars), the Gershwin-esque "Something to Remember", and three songs by Stephen Sondheim , including " Sooner Or Later ", which won an Academy Award for 'Best Original Song', Internet Movie Database: Dick Tracy (1990) ''I'm Breathless'' was a success in Europe, Australia and the United States, and sold 5 million copies worldwide (2x platinum in the U.S.). World 4 Madonna: Madonna Charts and Sales Figures From April until August 1990, Madonna toured Japan , North America, and Europe on her Blond Ambition World Tour , which the singer likened to musical theatre. Featuring religious and sexual themes and symbolism, the tour drew controversy from Madonna's performance of "Like a Virgin", during which she allowed two male dancers to caress her body before she simulated Masturbation . BBC News: Show Stealer Madonna on tour In November 1990, Madonna released her first , as well as scenes of S&M , Bondage with Gay and Lesbian characters, Madonna: Rebel without a Cause and brief nudity MSN Live Earth: Madonna - 10 moments that created an icon . It was deemed too sexually explicit for MTV, and was subsequently banned from the station. Madonna: Rebel without a Cause Warner Bros Records released the video as a video single — the first of its kind—and it became the highest-selling video single of all time. The album went on to sell over 22 million copies worldwide. World 4 Madonna: Madonna Charts and Sales Figures In 1991, Madonna starred in her first documentary film, '''' (also known as ''In Bed with Madonna'' outside North America), which chronicled her successful 1990 Blond Ambition Tour , as well as her personal life. The following year, she appeared in the Baseball film '' A League Of Their Own '' with a mostly critically praised (one of her few film honors) portrayal of Italian American Mae Mordabito Madonna Diary By Maurice Gravelle Retrieved June 1 , 2006 and recorded the film's theme song, " This Used To Be My Playground ", which became her tenth #1 single in the United States. 1992–1997: ''"Sex"'' controversy and ''"Evita"'' " (1992) was aired only three times on MTV due to its highly charged sexual content.]] '',” which became the highest-debuting (number two) single in the history of the U.S. Hot 100 Airplay chart. The controversial music video that accompanied the song only aired three times on MTV due to its highly charged sexual content. protested against her first-ever show in Israel . BBC News: Show Stealer Madonna on tour Madonna would later comment that this period of her life was designed to give the world every single morsel of what they seemed to be demanding in their invasion of her private life. She hoped that once it was all out in the open, people could settle down and focus on her work. " (1995) directed by Mark Romanek featured images inspired by paintings by artists Frida Kahlo and Remedios Varo .]] Madonna later released her sixth studio album, '', the album gave a hint of what would come musically a few years later. It produced four singles, including " Take A Bow ", co-written and produced with Babyface . The song was a success on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching number one for seven consecutive weeks, Booster Entertainment: Madonna hung up on a bad tune but became the first Madonna song not to chart in the UK Top 10, charting at number 16. World 4 Madonna: Madonna Charts and Sales Figures The Michael Haussman Spanish -themed video, meanwhile, would later help her win the lead role in '' Evita ''. On 7 November 1995 , Madonna released '' Something To Remember '', a collection of her best ballads, which featured three new tracks, including a cover of the Marvin Gaye classic “ I Want You ,” which she recorded with British band Massive Attack , and the top ten hit “ You'll See .” The album just missed the top five on the U.S. charts; World 4 Madonna: Madonna Charts and Sales Figures it has since been certified triple platinum. World 4 Madonna: Madonna Charts and Sales Figures In 1996, Madonna’s most critically successful film {Link without Title} MSN: Fashion Timeline - Madonna, ''”, the latter of which was written specifically for the film. “You Must Love Me” won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for ''Best Original Song From a Motion Picture'' the following year. Madonna herself also won a Golden Globe award for ''Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy'' but failed to receive an Academy Award nomination. 1998–2002: Return to prominence Madonna's seventh studio album, 1998's ''''. Madonna's pronunciation, in her recital of Sanskrit Shlokas taken from the opening hymn of yoga taravali for her album Ray Of Light , had been declared incorrect by Sanskrit pandits of Benares and, the material girl learnt the basics of the correct Pronunciation of Sanskrit words from an eminent scholar, Dr B P T Vagish Shastri through telephonic chats arranged by the BBC , London.http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1607547901.cmshttp://www.telegraphindia.com/1070201/asp/nation/story_7333787.asp ''Amazon.com'' described the album as "her richest, most accomplished record yet", ''Madonna Village'' Quoting from ''Amazon.com'' review of ''Ray of Light'', 1998. Retrieved 5 May, 2006. while ''Rolling Stone'' credited Madonna and her co-producer used the ''Ray of Light'' title track in its 2001 advertising campaign ''Yes you can'', to introduce Windows XP . Clickz: Microsoft Hopes "Ray of Light" Makes XP Shine In 1998, Madonna was signed to play the role of violin teacher Roberta Guaspari Demetras in the film '' Fashion Awards performing "The Power of Good-Bye". {Link without Title} The Offical Opus 118 Harlem School of Music Website Madonna followed the success of ''Ray of Light'' with the top-twenty single "'' soundtrack (1999). In 2000, Madonna released her follow-up film to ''Evita''. '' The Next Best Thing ''. Madonna contributed two songs to the film's soundtrack, "Time Stood Still" and British chart-topper " American Pie ", a cover version of the 1970s Don McLean single. '' Music '', her eighth studio album, had Madonna getting back to the spirit of dance and House Music . Despite this, she retained the moodiness of ''Ray of Light'' in " Paradise (Not For Me) " and introduced folk guitars in the top ten hit “ Don't Tell Me ” and the ballad “Gone.” '',” featured a controversial music video, directed by Madonna's husband, Guy Ritchie . In 2001, Madonna embarked on the Drowned World Tour , her first tour in eight years. It was the subject of a television special in the US, and was released on DVD in November 2001 to coincide with the release of her second greatest hits album, '' GHV2 ''. ''GHV2'' did not include new songs, although clubs did receive mega-mixes for promotional play. In 2002, she released for ''Best Original Song'' GreenCine: Die Another Day and a Golden Raspberry for ''Worst Song''. Los Angeles Times: Golden Raspberry Awards past winners database 2003–present: Commercial ups and downs " (2003) was widely seen as controversial and was revoked on the day of its release due to its graphic images and antiwar message.]] Madonna released her ninth studio album, '' American Life '', in the winter of 2003. The lyrics were themed on the aspects of the American dream, fame, fortune and society. The record received mixed reviews. Confessions On A Dance Floor by Madonna review The music video for the first single, " American Life ", caused controversy, as it contained scenes depicting war, explosions, and blood. The day before the video was to air on European television, Madonna pulled it and released an edited version, which showed her singing in front of flags from around the world. The song peaked at thirty-seven on the Billboard Hot 100 . Billboard: Madonna Artist Chart History In the United Kingdom, it reached number two on the charts. World 4 Madonna: Madonna Charts and Sales Figures Having sold five million copies, World 4 Madonna: Madonna Charts and Sales Figures '' American Life '' became the lowest selling album of her career.[http://www.world4madonna.com/biography/] World4Madonna: Madonna Biography It produced three more singles, all did not chart in the United States but charted in European countries. Later that year, Madonna performed the song " Hollywood " with Britney Spears , Christina Aguilera and Missy Elliott at the MTV Video Music Awards . Madonna kissed Spears and Aguilera during the performance, resulting in tabloid press frenzy. That fall, Madonna provided guest vocals on Spears's single " Me Against The Music ". During the Christmas season of 2003, Madonna released '' Remixed & Revisited '', a remix EP that included rock versions of songs from '' American Life '', as well as "Your Honesty", a left-over from 1994's '' Bedtime Stories '' album. The collection did not chart in the Billboard top 100. World 4 Madonna: Madonna Charts and Sales Figures In 2004, Madonna embarked on '' magazine ranked her #36 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time .3 In January 2005, Madonna performed a cover version of the ", which raised money for the Tsunami victims in Asia. Madonna's tenth studio album, the Grammy-winning ''", charting at number nine in the UK. BBC News: Westlife score 14th UK number one Madonna's ". The tour ended its 60-date run on September 21 , 2006 , in Tokyo . A CD+DVD of " The Confessions Tour - Live From London " special was released on January 29 , 2007 internationally and January 30 , 2007 in the US. In October 2006, Madonna flew to Malawi to help build an orphanage, which she also funded, as part of the '' Raising Malawi '' initiative. While there, she adopted a baby boy, named David. INFLUENCES Religion, Ethnicity and Family Madonna has cited her Catholic and Italian background as major influences in her life and career. She has also noted on various occasions that her mother's premature death left a lasting emotional burden throughout her adolescence and adulthood. As an entertainer, Madonna has occasionally touched on these subjects in her song lyrics and visual presentation. Madonna's Catholic background and relationship with her parents were reflected in the 1989 album ''Like a Prayer'', which featured songs about her parents and Catholic upbringing. The Video For The Title Track contained Catholic symbolism, such as the Stigmata . Madonna used the Crucifix as a notable religious accessory in the church setting of the video, and was also included in the stage design of her "Confessions" tour. "Promise to Try" told of her sadness at the memory of her mother, while " Oh Father " told of a strict father who elicited fear in his child. In the The Virgin Tour , she wore the Rosary around her neck. In the music video for " La Isla Bonita ", she prays the rosary. She has described the name as being "very Italian", despite the fact that she was named after her French Canadian mother. The name "Madonna" is Catholic and references The Virgin Mary , who, in the Roman Catholic Church , is often referred to as " The Madonna " and juxtaposes the two Italian words "ma", a variation on the Italian "mia" (the contextual form for the adjective "my"), and "donna", which literally translates to "my lady". Madonna: Definition and Much More from Answers.com Madonna's Italian heritage has also been referenced in her work. The video for '', 2006 ) In her 2005 documentary ''I'm Going To Tell You a Secret'', she jokingly states that she has "big, fat, Italian thighs." Musical influences In 1985, Madonna commented that the first song to ever make a strong impression on her was " These Boots Are Made For Walkin' " by Nancy Sinatra and that it summed up her take-charge attitude. ''Time Magazine'' - May 27 , 1985 , Madonna interview, "Madonna, Why She's Hot", by Denise Worrell. As a young woman, she attempted to broaden her taste in literature, art, and music, and during this time became interested in classical music. She noted that her favorite style was Baroque , and loved Chopin because she liked his "feminine quality". She has also acknowledged the impact of Debbie Harry and Chrissie Hynde saying they "paved the way" for her. In an interview with the ''Observer'' on October 29 2006 , Madonna professed a love for fellow Detroit natives The Raconteurs and The White Stripes , as well as New York band "The Jett Set". Madonna has also commented that she enjoys Frank Sinatra , and especially likes to sing, "My Way" in the shower. Film stars During her childhood, Madonna became fascinated by films and film stars, later saying, "I loved . PERSONAL LIFE Relationships and family Early relationships and first marriage In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Madonna dated Dan Gilroy, with whom she formed the band Breakfast Club . In the early 1980s, she also dated musician Stephen Bray , who later co-produced songs such as " Into The Groove " and " Express Yourself ", artist Jean-Michel Basquiat , DJ and record producer Mark Kamins , and musician Jellybean Benitez , who produced tracks and remixed her debut album '' Madonna ''. While filming the 2006 . Retrieved 15 June 2006 . Post-divorce relationships, motherhood, and remarriage After the divorce from Penn was made official in 1989, Madonna began a highly-publicized relationship with Warren Beatty while working on the film '' Dick Tracy '' early in 1989. Despite rumors that the two had become engaged in May 1990, the couple's relationship seemed to have ended by the summer. In a 1991 interview with '' Vanity Fair '', Madonna said, "I'd go, 'Warren, did you really chase that girl for a year?!?' And he’d say, 'Nah, it's all lies.' I should have known better. I was unrealistic, but then, you always think you're going to be the one."''Vanity Fair'', April 1991, "The Misfit" by Lynn Hirschberg In late 1990, Madonna dated " (1989) and " Justify My Love " (1990). Their relationship ended by early 1991, and Madonna later began an eight-month relationship with rapper Vanilla Ice , who appeared later in her '' Sex '' book. In 1992; Madonna dated actor John Enos, her bodyguard James Albright, and in 1994 went out with basketball player Dennis Rodman for four months. Madonna & Dennis Rodman usefultrivia.com In September 1994, while walking in 1996 . The couple ended their relationship in 1997.http://www.celebritywonder.com/html/madonna.html Madonna then began dating Andy Bird, who sold his story to the newspapers in a tell-all about their eighteen-month relationship in late 2000/early 2001.http://www.madonnalicious.com/features/andybird2.html On 2006 . On December 22 , 2000, Madonna and Ritchie were married in Scotland . As of 2007, Madonna resides in Marylebone , London and her country estate in Wiltshire , with Ritchie and their children. It's a £6million Mad pad The Sun, 22 June 2007 In March, 2007 Crown Publishing canceled a tell-all book deal, thought to be worth 5 million dollars, with Madonna and Ritchie's former nanny Melissa Dumas. David Banda adoption On , 2005 , Boy Madonna Hopes to Adopt Leaves Africa People, October 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-16 during her trip to an orphanage in Malawi. "Madonna buys Malawian boy, his father says" , CNN, October 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-11 After a passport and visa were issued for the child, Banda was flown out of Malawi on , 2006 . Madonna appeared on '' 2006 . On 2006 . On November 1 , 2006 , Madonna responded to Banda's comments on an '' Dateline NBC '' interview with Meredith Vieira by saying that Yohane Banda had known what he was doing, having refused to accept her offer to financially support him and the child without adopting the child. Because of Malawi laws, Madonna and Guy Ritchie remain David Banda's foster parents for the required eighteen-month period. Kabbalah Center Since the late-1990s, Madonna has become a devotee of the 2004 . Retrieved 26 February 2006 . Controversy erupted again well before the release of her most recent album, '' 2005 . Retrieved 26 February 2006 . Madonna has openly defended her Kabbalah studies by stating, for example: Political views Madonna does not support United States President 2004 . Retrieved 17 April 2006 . CRITICISM Despite her career achievements, Queen of Pop Madonna crowned highest earning female singer on earth '' though several critics view Madonna as a talented vocalist and songwriter. The Collaborative Madonna The Johns Hopkins News-Letter She has also been criticized for egocentrism, publicity stunts and a tendency to generate controversy. , Whitney Houston , and Mariah Carey have expressed disapproval of her artistic abilities, disdain, or criticism against her image and work. Moments of her career in which Madonna has been heavily criticized include her 1989 music video for " Like A Prayer ", the publication of the book '' Sex '' and album '' Erotica '' in 1992, her 2003 album American Life , her 2006 performance of " Live To Tell " during the Confessions Tour , and her adoption of Malawian infant David Banda in 2006. Much of her career has seen rebellion against the , 2006 The Pope accused Madonna of Blasphemy against the Catholic Church (a crime in Italy). A private association of devout Roman Catholics, called Famiglia Domani, also boycotted the show for many of the same displays of sexual innuendos and eroticism the Pope had denounced. Blond Ambition World Tour 1990 . In response, in a 1990 press conference in Italy, Madonna declared, "I am , 2006 In the documentary ''Italians in America - Our Contribution'', author , 2006 Despite her alleged rebellion, Madonna had both of her biological children baptized in a Roman Catholic Church. Madonna has received criticism from , 2006 . DISCOGRAPHY See Also: Madonna discography FILMOGRAPHY See Also: List of Madonna films BIBLIOGRAPHY See Also: List of books by Madonna IMPACT ON SCIENCE In 2006 a new water bear species (Latin: ) number of the species is 711164. {Link without Title} ITIS - ''Echiniscus madonnae'' REFERENCES SEE ALSO
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