1. Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone August 16, 1958

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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…

9. 1984 – First Film
Vision Quest Film

10. 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

11. 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).

12. 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”)

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 1991- Truth or Dare Documentary film
Chronicles her Blonde Ambition Tour
Shows footage of her personal life

18. 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

19. 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

20. 1992 - Erotica Fifth album Erotica released
Features three sexually explicit songs – including “Erotica”
Became highest debuting single in the history of the US

21. 1993 Films Body of Evidence and Dangerous Game
Neither does well but her roles in each are praised

22. 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.

23. 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

24. 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

25. 1995 Releases album Something to Remember
A compilation of her best ballads
Minor parts in two films- Blue in the Face, Four Rooms

26. 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

27. 1996 The Material Girl becomes a mom
Has daughter Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon with personal trainer

28. 1998 – Ray of Light Madonna wins three Grammy Awards for Ray of Light
On Rolling Stones list of 500 greatest albums of all time

29. 1999 – “Beautiful Stranger”
Wins another Grammy for her song “Beautiful Stranger”
Song was recorded for the Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me soundtrack

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

35. 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

36. 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

37. 2006 Confessions Tour begins 1.2 million people in audience
Made million – highest grossing ever by a female artist

38. 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

39. 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