Sensational pop song star Madonna was born Madonna Louise Ciccone on August 16, 1958 in Bay City, Michigan. She is recognized for her business savvy, media wise personality and her controversial style that is reminiscent of the late Elvis Presley.

Madonna lost her mother at age 6 and was raised by her blue-collar father, a Chrysler engineer. She studied dance at an early age and continued her dance career at the University of Michigan. Later, she would play drums and sing back-up in her boy friend's band "the Breakfast Club."

A talented song writer, dancer, and vocalist, Madonna's career began to take off in the early 1980's with her first hit "Everybody" in 1982. Then in 1983 her "Burning Up / Physical Attraction" rose to #3 on the pop charts.

Soon her fame stretched to a new genre, music videos. In March of 1984 Madonna released her video "Borderline" (whose content was very controversial because it expressed love between races) which was an instant success.

Next came "Lucky Star" in which Madonna exposed her body in provocative ways and which rose on the charts to #4. Her "Madonna" eventually sold more than five million copies and the artist continues to thrive today on her "love her or hate her" no middle ground persona.

"Like a Virgin" skyrocketed to the pinnacle of the charts in 1984 and eventually sold over 10 million recordings. In 1985 came hit songs "Crazy For You" and "Material Girl." Both rose to Top Five status at the same time and Madonna seemed to be on the top of the recording world.

Actor Sean Penn became Madonna's husband in 1985 and soon Madonna flirted with a "part time" acting career. In 1988 she also gave Broadway a try in David Mamet's "Speed the Plow."

Later hits included "Like a Prayer," "Express Yourself," "Keep It Together," and "Oh Father." Then came hits "Cherish," "Hanky Panky," "Rescue Me," "Justify My Love" and "Vogue."

Madonna, always the astute business woman, inked multi-million dollar deals for additional albums, videos, books, and endorsements.

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