Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone August 16, 1958

1958 – 1976 Youth Born in Bay City, Michigan She was named after her mother She is the third of eight children Italian & Catholic Her mother died of breast cancer when Madonna was six years old. Father remarried his house keeper and had two additional children.

1977 - Dance Madonna received a dance scholarship to the University of Michigan Here she won a dance contest Also was convinced by a teacher to pursue dance professionally Left college for New York - 1977

1979 Women in the Spotlight Britain elects the first female prime minister, Margaret Thatcher Mother Teresa awarded the Nobel Peace Prize Madonna begins her music career when anything seems possible

1979 - Music While dancing she began writing music with a boyfriend The two formed her first band – the Breakfast Club She sang, played drums, played guitar Began producing dance songs for New York dance clubs Caught attention of Sire Records founder Seymour Stein

1982 -Recordings Signed with Sire Records First release “Everybody” in April, 1982 – instant success reaching #3 “Burning Up” released in March, 1983 – another success reaching again #3 First album Madonna debuts 1983

1984 – Like a Virgin Album “Like a Virgin” reaches #1, stays for six weeks “Material Girl” reaches #2 “Angel” reaches #5 “Dress You Up” reaches #5 Album sells 8 million copies in US Album sells another 4 million world wide

Like a Virgin – MTV Video Music Awards Performs the song at the first ever MTV Video Music Awards Provocatively arrives on stage Wears a bustier/wedding gown combo, lacy stockings, garters, “Boy Toy” belt Humps the stage and makes out alone…

1984 – First Film Vision Quest Film

1985- 1987 Marries actor Sean Penn Many films and albums over next few years 1985 Popular film Desperately Seeking Susan 1986 Album True Blue Produces five successful singles Rolling Stone declares, “Singing better than ever” MTV you make the video contest song- first ever event Shanghai Surprise film – costars husband Penn 1987 Who’s That Girl film and Album You Can Dance Album

1988 – Statue in her honor In 1988, city officials in the town of Pacentro, Italy planned to construct a 13-foot (4 m) statue of Madonna in a bustier. The statue was intended to commemorate the fact that some of Madonna's ancestors had lived in Pacentro (wikipedia).

1989 – Like a Prayer Released Her 4th album Remains sexual but adds religion – a now frequent combination of Madonna’s work Sold seven million copies world wide Had five hit singles (“Express Yourself”, “Cherish”, “Oh Father”, and “Keep It Together”)

1989 – Pepsi Madonna signed endorsement deal with Pepsi To be similar to Like Prayer song Due to controversial video (Catholic Symbols, a Black Jesus, stigmata, burning crosses) Pepsi had to drop deal Madonna was able to keep her $5Million fee.

1990 – I’m Breathless Starred as “Breathless” Mahoney in Dick Tracy film opposite Warren Beatty Released album containing songs from 1930’s to go along with movie Album has “Vogue” which becomes Madonna’s 8th #1 in US Sells 7 million copies worldwide

1990 - Blonde Ambition Tour Tours Japan, North America, Europe More like music theater than concert Again contains sexual and religious themes intermingled Singing “Like a Virgin” she again simulates masturbation on stage – creates much controversy

1990 – Greatest Hits Collection The Immaculate Collection Includes “Justify My Love” The video is banned from US televisions because includes brief nudity, homosexuality, and scenes with strong sexuality and bondage Includes “Rescue Me” The highest-debuting single by a female in US Chart history

1991- Truth or Dare Documentary film Chronicles her Blonde Ambition Tour Shows footage of her personal life

1991 – A League of Their Own Stars in extremely successful film with Tom Hanks and Rosie O'Donnell “This Used to Be My Playground” she records as film’s theme song Becomes her tenth #1 hit single in US

1992 – Maverick Madonna creates own entertainment company titled Maverick $60 million dollar recording and business deal Royalties of 20% Equal to that of Michael Jackson at the time Unheard of for a female singer First publication – coffee table book titled SEX Hugely controversial Sells 500,000 copies in US and sells out worldwide Nude/explicit images throughout

1992 - Erotica Fifth album Erotica released Features three sexually explicit songs – including “Erotica” Became highest debuting single in the history of the US

1993 Films Body of Evidence and Dangerous Game Neither does well but her roles in each are praised

1993 Though first introduced as a policy for the military, the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” law came into effect in September. Where others were to conceal their sexuality – Madonna continued to push on throwing sexuality in the faces of her audiences, fans, and critics.

1993 – The Girlie Show World Tour Again Controversial Bondage, risqué attire, dominatrix acts, nudity Caused uproar in Puerto Rico where she rubbed their flag between her legs on stage Orthodox Jews protested against her first show ever in Israel

1994 – More Controversy Recorded for film With Honors Reached #2 in US Controversial appearance on Late Show with David Letterman Swears, takes off underwear Releases 6th album Bedtime Stories

1995 Releases album Something to Remember A compilation of her best ballads Minor parts in two films- Blue in the Face, Four Rooms

1996 Most successful film Evita is released. Portrays Eva Peron Soundtrack becomes her 12th album “Don’t Cry for Me Argentine”, and “You Must Love Me” make the charts “You Must Love Me” written by Andrew Lloyd Weber wins Academy Award and Golden Globe Madonna’s performance wins Golden Globe for Best Actress in Musical or Comedy

1996 The Material Girl becomes a mom Has daughter Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon with personal trainer

1998 – Ray of Light Madonna wins three Grammy Awards for Ray of Light On Rolling Stones list of 500 greatest albums of all time

1999 – “Beautiful Stranger” Wins another Grammy for her song “Beautiful Stranger” Song was recorded for the Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me soundtrack

2000 - The Next Best Thing Starring in her first role since Evita, Madonna has a part in The Next Best Thing Writes/sings two songs for the movie Announces she is pregnant with her second child with director Guy Ritchie

2001 Releases single “What It Feels Like For a Girl” Video banned for being too violent, will not air before 9pm Stars in two films with her now husband Guy Ritchie Begins her Drowned World Tour – her first in eight years Releases her second greatest hits album, GHV2

2002 Releases title song for 20th James Bond film titled, “Die Another Day” Reaches #8 Nominated for Golden Globe and Golden Raspberry Stars in Swept Away directed by husband Guy Ritchie

2003 Ninth album, American Life, released Selling only 4 million albums – becomes the worst selling album of her career Kisses Brittney Spears on stage at MTV Video Music Awards

2004 – Business Woes Suits are filed claiming money is squandered by both Madonna and Warner Music Group Another company purchases to end dispute Madonna no longer has any tie to Maverick but is still signed with Warner under another contract Madonna begins Reinvention World Tour Highest grossing tour of 2004, earning $125 million Madonna ranked #36 on Rolling Stones 100 Greatest Artists of All Time list

2005 – Civic Minded Sings Lennon’s “Imagine” at “Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope” to raise money for Tsunami victims in Asia Sings for a Live8 benefit concert in London Includes two songs on the Live8 album

2005 Releases Confessions on a Dance Floor Sells over 8 million copies “Hung Up” becomes her 36th Top 10 hit which tied her with Elvis Presley for most by an artist in the US “Sorry” her 12th number one in UK putting her #1 for ffemale artist in the UK “Get Together” and “Jump” became 31 hits – she now holds the record for #1 hits for any US artist

2006 Confessions Tour begins 1.2 million people in audience Made 260.1 million – highest grossing ever by a female artist

2007 Release download only song “Hey You” Sings with 23 female artist, led by Annie Lennox, for album Songs of Mass Destruction Departs from Warner Bros. Signs $120 million ten year contract with Live Nation Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announces Madonna is one of the five inductees of 2008

2008 Madonna Directs her first film I Am Because We Are, a documentary Focuses on difficulties for people in Malawi Adopted a son from Malawi Recorded her 11th album, Hard Candy Will begin her seventh world tour