Date of Birth
16 August 1958, Bay City, Michigan, USA
Birth Name
Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone
Nickname
Nonnie
Maddy
Mo
The Material Girl
Madge
Esther (Kabalah name picked up herself from "Zohar" or "Bible")
M (What she and her friends call her)
Height
5' 4½" (1.64 m)
Mini Biography
The remarkable, hyper-ambitious Material Girl who never stops re-inventing herself, Madonna has sold tens of millions of records and CDs to adoring fans worldwide. Her film career, however, is another story. Her performances have consistently drawn scathing or laughable reviews from film critics, and the films have usually had tepid, if any, success at the box office. Born Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone in August 1958 in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York in the late 1970s and studied with renowned choreographer Alvin Ailey, joined up with the Patrick Hernandez Revue, formed a pop/dance band called "Breakfast Club" and began working with then boyfriend Stephen Bray on recording several disco-oriented songs. New York producer / DJ Mark Kamins passed her demo tapes to Sire Records in early 1982 and the rest, as they say, is history. The 1980s was Madonna's boom decade, and she dominated the music charts with a succession of multi-million-selling albums, and her musical and fashion influence on young women was felt around the globe.
Madonna first appeared on screen in two low-budget films marketed to a teenage audience: A Certain Sacrifice (1980) and Vision Quest (1985). However, she scored a minor cult hit with Desperately Seeking Susan (1985) starring alongside spunky Rosanna Arquette. Madonna's next effort with then husband Sean Penn, Shanghai Surprise (1986), was savaged by critics, although the resilient star managed to somewhat improve her standing with her next two films, the offbeat Who's That Girl (1987) (although she did receive decidedly mixed reviews, they weren't as negative as those of her previous effort) and the quirky Damon Runyon-inspired Bloodhounds of Broadway (1989). The big-budget and star-filled Dick Tracy (1990) had her playing bad girl "Breathless Mahoney" flirting with Warren Beatty, but the epic failed to catch fire at the box office. Taking an earthier role, Madonna was much more entertaining alongside Tom Hanks and Geena Davis in the highly enjoyable A League of Their Own (1992), a story about female baseball players during WWII. However, she again drew the wrath of critics with the boring whodunit Body of Evidence (1993), an obvious (and lame) attempt to cash in on the success of the sexy Sharon Stone thriller Basic Instinct (1992).
Several other minor screen roles followed, then Madonna starred as Eva Perón in Evita (1996), a fairly well received screen adaptation of the hugely successful Broadway musical. The Material Girl stayed away from the movie cameras for several years, returning to co-star in the lukewarm romantic comedy The Next Best Thing (2000), followed by the painful Swept Away (2002). If those films weren't bad enough, she was woefully miscast as a vampish fencing instructor in the James Bond adventure Die Another Day (2002).
Spouse
Guy Ritchie (22 December 2000 - 21 November 2008) (divorced) 2 children
Sean Penn (16 August 1985 - 14 September 1989) (divorced)
Trade Mark
Wore cone-shaped bras during her Express Yourself and Vogue performances (Early 1990s)
For each of her albums she has a different look
Gap between her front teeth
(1980s-90s) Jean Harlow-styled short, bleach-blonde hair.
Trivia
Brother Christopher Ciccone designs restaurant interiors. Renovated a mansion overlooking Hudson River north of New York City in the same West Nyack community that's home to Rosie O'Donnell and director Jonathan Demme.
Her videos "Justify My Love" and "What It Feels Like For A Girl" were banned from VH1 & MTV. "Erotica" (1992), though not banned, was only played after midnight on MTV.
Her record company Maverick Records signed a distribution deal with A Band Apart Records, a record company founded by Quentin Tarantino and Lawrence Bender. A Band Apart Records will focus on film soundtracks. [30 July 1997]
Gave birth to baby daughter named Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon (aka Lola Leon). The father is actor/fitness instructor Carlos Leon. [14 October 1996]
Studied with the Alvin Ailey dance troupe and Pearl Lang's Dance Company in Manhattan. [1978]
Unanimously condemned by the Puerto Rican House of Representatives for pulling a Puerto Rican flag between her legs in an October 26, 1993 concert.
Her song, "Vogue", is a tribute to the glamour of classic Hollywood. Celebrities mentioned in the song are Greta Garbo, Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich, Joe DiMaggio, Marlon Brando, James Dean, Grace Kelly, Jean Harlow, Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Rita Hayworth, Lauren Bacall, Katharine Hepburn, Lana Turner, and Bette Davis.
Was supposed to play the lead in Music of the Heart (1999) but dropped out two weeks before filming was set to begin.
High school cheerleader.
Her daughter Lourdes was named as a tribute to Madonna's mother, who wanted to visit Lourdes, France, where the Virgin Mary, the Madonna, appeared in 1858, but died before doing so.
Wanted to play the role of Ginger in Casino (1995), but the role was given to Sharon Stone instead.
Turned down the lead in The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989).
Turned down the role of Cristal Conners in Showgirls (1995).
Was good friends with Gwyneth Paltrow before she declined her invitation to join her Kabbalah study group in London. A similar thing happened to her friendship with Debi Mazar, who didn't like Madonna's participation in the Kabbalah.
In his 38th annual Worst Dressed List published in January 1998, Mr. Blackwell wrote about her questionable taste in clothing the previous year, "Let's be blunt, yesterday's Evita is today's Velveeta."
Owner of Maverick Records label (1992-2004).
Graduated from Rochester Adams High School in 1976. Studied at the North Carolina School of the Arts, and won a scholarship to study modern dance and drama for 3 semesters at the University of Michigan.
Resides in Marylebone, London and a country estate in Tollard Royal, Wiltshire.
Her infamous 1994 appearance on "Late Show with David Letterman" (1993) had her saying the "f" word 13 times.
Has an IQ of 140.
Her birthday is also the anniversary of Elvis Presley's death.
Bought mansion in the Hollywood Hills originally built for Rudolph Valentino.
Born at 7:05 AM EDT.
Named one of People Magazine's '50 Most Beautiful People of 1991', and '25 Most Intriguing People of 2001'.
On January 25, 1989, Madonna had a $5 million contract with Pepsi to promote their product as well as cross-promote her new album, "Like a Prayer". However, on March 3, when the video for the first single, "Like a Prayer", was released, it caused international controversy, with images of burning crosses, murder, and racism, and Pepsi soon retracted their contract, after March 2, when the 2-minute commercial was only viewed once, during "The Cosby Show" (1984). The single later soared to Number 1 on the charts and stayed there for 3 weeks. She later thanked Pepsi for creating such controversy.
Appeared in a 1988 stage play with Ron Silver and Joe Mantegna called "Speed-The-Plow".
Did a Japanese commercial for Panasonic in 1987.
Her film Shanghai Surprise (1986) was a box-office disaster, costing $17 million and grossing only $2.
Appeared in a filmed stage play in 1980 called "In Artificial Light", in which she wrote her own part.
Appeared in a stage play in 1986 called "Goose And Tom-Tom" with then-husband Sean Penn.
Her first film, A Certain Sacrifice (1980), was released in 1985, after she became a star, but was actually shot in two parts, the first in 1979, and the other, in 1981.
A September 2000 Rolling Stone article estimated her worth as $650 million. Since then, she has released the album "Music", which sold 12 million copies, has had a 47-date sold-out worldwide tour, completed a movie, and released a greatest hits compilation.
As of 2001, her albums have sold 153 million copies worldwide.
She campaigned for the role of Frida Kalo, as did Jennifer Lopez, and tried to get a film made for numerous years. She had hoped to actually star with Marlon Brando as Diego Rivera, but due to her lack of box office draw at the time, the film idea went nowhere. After Evita (1996), she and Salma Hayek were both interested in films about the artist. Hayek's film won favor and was greenlit.
Named one of E!'s "top 20 entertainers of 2001".
Gwyneth Paltrow was the Maid of Honor at her wedding to Guy Ritchie.
Her grandparents are Michelina and Gaetano Ciccone.
Her father is Italian, her mother was French-Canadian.
Sister-in-law of Joe Henry who write for "Don't Tell Me" and "Jump" from Madonna's albums "Music"(2003) and "Confessions on a Dance Floor" (2005) respectively.
Measurements: 34C-23-33 (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)
In October 2000, Madonna won her fight against a cybersquatter using the domain name madonna.com to operate a pornography website. The UN World Intellectual Property Organization found that site operator Dan Parisi "lacks rights or legitimate interests in the domain name." Parisi claims that he was in the process of handing over the rights to the domain name to a US hospital, Madonna Rehabilitation, which has the domain name madonna.org, when the case started.
She started fashion trends in 1984 with her unique look using rosaries and crosses as jewelry and black rubber typewriter bands as bracelets. Legions of adolescent girls mimicked her look and a Madonna clothing store was opened in New York. Again in 2001, another huge fashion trend was set off by the "Material Mom", this time with western wear - cowboy hats and mud-splattered jeans.
In November 2000, she held a live concert at the Brixton Academy in London which was broadcast over the Internet. A record nine million people watched the event, making it the largest live webcast of all time.
Has a personal collection of paintings by Frida Kahlo, Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí.
Her song 'Little star' is dedicated to her daughter Lourdes
Featured on the sleeve of the album "Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors" by former Marillion singer Fish. She is also mentioned in his song "Big Wedge".
Madonna and Céline Dion share the same French-Canadian heritage through a common ancestor named Zacharie Cloutier. Also related to Camilla Parker-Bowles and Ellen DeGeneres.
Mentioned in the lyrics of the song "You Were Right" by Damon Gough, aka Badly Drawn Boy.
Attended St. Andrew's Elementary School (now Holy Family Regional).
Attended West Junior High in Rochester Hills, Michigan for the 8th grade.
Her parents were married at Visitation Catholic Church in Bay City, Michigan on July 2, 1955.
Her mother and her two uncles were buried at Calvary Cemetery in Bay City, Michigan.
Purchased a mini mansion for daughter Lourdes in 2003. Produced by Posh Tots, a mini-mansion ranges in price from US$6,500 to US$125,000, and can even be installed with cable TV and running water.
December 2003 - announced she was starting a merchandising line of dolls, apparel, home decor, etc. as a tie-in to her best-selling children's book, "The English Roses".
Ranked #8 on VH1's 100 Greatest Women of Rock N Roll
Her wedding dress for her 2000 wedding to director Guy Ritchie was designed by her friend Stella McCartney.
Received a career award at the 2004 French NRJ Awards (January 2004).
Ranked #6 in Life's 100 Greatest Rockers List (March 2002).
Won Best Solo Dance Artist at the 17th International Dance Music Awards held at the Winter Music Conference in Miami. (March 2002)
Voted #3 on the reader-voted Favorite Female List for Rolling Stone Magazine's 2001 Music Awards list, following Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez (January 2002).
"The Immaculate Collection" voted #1 on Blender magazine's 100 Greatest American Albums of All Time List. (Januray 2002)
Her 1985 hit "Into The Groove" was ranked #40 on VH1's 100 Greatest Dance Songs, while "Vogue" placed in the top 10 at #4.
Won Best Chart Act at the 2004 Dancestar USA Awards, in Bayfront Park, Miami. (9th March 2004)
Is good friends with Björk, who also wrote the song 'Bedtime Story' for her 1994 album, Bedtime Stories.
Parodied by Amy Poehler on "Saturday Night Live" (1975).
In 2003, three different action figures were made of her likeness based on her character, Susan, from the movie Desperately Seeking Susan (1985).
She is a fan of Carole Lombard, Betty Grable and Katharine Hepburn.
Born on the same day as actress Angela Bassett.
She has posed nude at least three times in her career: briefly in A Certain Sacrifice (1980), in some nude photos taken before she became famous in the late 1970s which eventually ran in Penthouse magazine and in the 1992 photo and interview book "Sex" which became a worldwide best seller.
Siblings: Martin Ciccone (1957), Anthony Ciccone (1956), Christopher Ciccone (1960), Paula Ciccone (1959), Melanie (1962), Mario (1969) and Jennifer (1968).
April 1985: Her first ever concert tour "The Virgin Tour" opens in Seattle, WA with the Beastie Boys as the supporting act. In June 1985 the tour ends with performances at Radio City Music Show in New York. On 11th January 1986, the show is released on home video as "The Virgin Tour: Live". Directed by Daniel Kleinman, it peaked at #1 on the Billboard home video chart, where it stayed for 49 weeks. The release includes 10 of the 13 songs performed at the show. It unfortunately leaves out "Angel", "Burning Up" and "Borderline".
1986: "Borderline" re-issued as a single in the UK where it peaked at #2 (54 places higher than its original release) and be certified Silver. It also peaked at #21 on Europe charts for two weeks.
24th July 1985: The fourth and final single from "Like A Virgin", "Dress You Up" shimmied to #5 in the US Billboard Hot 100, Australiam Canada and the UK. It stayed on the US chart for 16 weeks and was certified silver in the UK. Other chart activity includes: #6 in Europe and Japan. #18 in France. #20 in Germany. "Dress You Up" was also used as a cartoon music video for DTV (a 'Walt Disney' version of MTV for kids). However, the song became the subject of controversy when the Parents Music Resource Center's Tipper Gore, wife of former vice president Al Gore, called "Dress You Up" "vulgar music" after hearing her daughter Karenna listen to the song (along with "Darling Nikki" by 'Prince (I)'); and soon the PMRC listed "Dress You Up" as #8 on their "Filthy Fifteen" list, for the perceived sexual content in the song's lyrics, leading to the creation of the "Parental Advisory" labels. The single's music video was her first "live" clip, taken from "The Virgin Tour Live" VHS and directed by Daniel Kleinman. The 12" maxi-single featured: "Dress You Up (Album Version)", "Dress You Up (12" Formal Mix)", "Dress You Up (Casual Instrumental Mix)" and "Shoo Bee Doo (Album Version)".
Her song "La Isla Bonita" (1986) was inspired by a visit she made to San Pedro, Ambergris Cay, Belize, with her then-husband Sean Penn
She was voted the 36th Greatest Artist of all time in Rock 'n' Roll by Rolling Stone.
A fan of the film Grey Gardens (1975), and La Dolce vita (1960).
Had lived in Pontiac, Michigan before living in Rochester Hills from 6th grade until she moved away to college.
Has a great-aunt named Bambina De Giulio.
Her grandparents are named Elsie Fortin and Willard Fortin (1904-1959).
Once had two pets named Chiquita (chichuahua) and Pepito (bull terrier).
Was born at Bay City Mercy Hospital in Bay City, Michigan.
Her son, Rocco Ritchie, with Ritchie, was born by emergency C-section - 3 weeks early. [11 August 2000]
Re-Invention Tour was the #1 world tour of 2004 grossing over $125 million. 55 of 56 shows were sold-out. (Billboard Boxscore)
Turned down the role of Selina Kyle/Catwoman in Batman Returns (1992).
Was Prince's first choice for the role of the Kid's angelic muse Aura in his movie musical Graffiti Bridge (1990). She turned it down, brazenly telling him "the screenplay was awful." When it was finally released in theaters, the movie was a critical and commercial bomb.
Is the only person to "win" the awards for Worst Actress, Worst Supporting Actress and Worst Screen Couple at the Razzie Awards all in the same year. She "won" Worst Supporting Actress in the film Die Another Day (2002). She shared the Worst Screen Couple award with Adriano Giannini in Swept Away (2002). And she tied for Worst Actress in Swept Away (2002) with Britney Spears in Crossroads (2002/I).
Nude pictures of her taken years earlier, when she was a starving dancer, ran in Penthouse magazine. Due to the success of that issue, she posed nude again in the coffee table book "Sex" which became an instant best seller.
Voted #35 on Playboy's "100 sexiest women" of the 20th Century (jan/2000).
One of the very few friends she has kept from the old days is her former makeup artist, Debi Mazar, who is now an actress.
Good friends with singer Britney Spears
Is spoofed in Eminem's music video "Just lose it"
Is a big fan of Kylie Minogue and Dannii Minogue.
Is a distant cousin of Gwen Stefani. Gwen's great-aunt's mother-in-law shares the same last name with Madonna.
Favorite Designers: Dolce & Gabbana, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Betsy Johnson, Gianni Versace, Stella McCartney, Maripol.
Fell off a horse on her country estate in England, sustaining numerous injuries. [August 16, 2005]
Briefly hospitalized on her 47th birthday after breaking her hand and collar bone, and cracking three ribs after falling off a horse on her country estate.
Along with Pia Zadora, Sylvester Stallone, Pauly Shore and Demi Moore, one of the few people who have "won" back to back awards at the Razzies in successive years. She "won" Worst Actress of 1987 for her performance in the film Shanghai Surprise (1986) and, then again, the next year she "won" Worst Actress of 1988 for her performance in the film Who's That Girl (1987).
Her role in "Speed The Plow" on Broadway was taken over by `Felcity Huffman'
Motherhood has inspired her to write a number of critically-acclaimed children's books: "The Adventures of Abdi", "The English Roses", "Lotsa de Casha", "Mr. Peabody's Apples" and "Yakov and the Seven Thieves". All have become international best-sellers and earned her praise for the morals woven into the stories.
"Hung Up" jumped seven places to No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in December 2005. Consequently the pop icon matches Elvis Presley's tally for top 10 hits - 36, the most for any artist in the rock era.
Considered for the role of Catwoman in Batman Returns (1992), which eventually went to Michelle Pfeiffer.
Won two prizes at the 2006 Echo Awards for "Best Female Artist international" and "Hit of the Year" for "Hung Up" (12 March 2006).
Has two songs with the same title on two different albums: "Forbidden Love" which was included in her "Bedtime Stories" album; and "Forbidden Love" which was a track on her "Confessions on a Dance Floor" album. Although both songs have the same title, they are two totally different tracks.
The first song she ever wrote before she became famous was a song called "Tell the Truth".
Nicknames her daughter Lourdes "Lola".
Introduced the songs that won Oscars for Broadway "rivals" Stephen Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Owns a house in Miami
Her favorite flowers are white roses.
Was first introduced to her husband Guy Ritchie by Sting & Trudie Styler at their Country Estate. Sting was later made godfather of their first born son Rocco Ritchie.
Her father and stepmother, Silvio Ciccone & Joan Ciccone, own and operate the award- winning Ciccone Vineyard and Winery in Suttons Bay, Michigan, just outside of Traverse City.
Her personal stylist is Shavawn Marie Gordon (2005).
Former daughter-in-law of Leo Penn and Eileen Ryan
Former sister-in-law of Chris Penn and Michael Penn
Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at MTV's 2006 TRL Awards (25 February 2006).
Her version of "American Pie" was played for the first time at a John Galiano fashion show in 1999.
1986: Wrote the song "Each Time You Break My Heart" for Nick Kamen.
Childhood friend of Moira McFarland-Messana from Michigan.
1990: Allowed French TV host Michel Drucker to interview her in her L.A. home in 1990.
Although her "Confessions Tour", which started on 21 May 2006, is expected to become the most successful tour by a female artist in history, it also sparked heavy criticism because she used religious symbols such as the crucifix in one part of the show.
Ranked #1 on VH1's 100 Sexiest Artists.
Had stated that Deborah Harry from Blondie and Chrissie Hynde from The Pretenders were her main musical influences.
Appears in the 2006 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records as the female singer with the highest annual earnings.
A judge in Malawi has approved an official application filed by Madonna, confirming claims she has adopted a one-year-old boy named David. David was born September 24th 2005. Judge Andrew Nyirenda issued an interim order allowing the singer and husband Guy Ritchie to take custody of David at a high court in Lilongwe. [October 12, 2006]
Estimated in 2006 to have sold more than 200 million albums worldwide.
Has stated that movie stars such as Carole Lombard, Judy Garland, Jean Harlow, Judy Holliday, Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich, Bette Davis, Clara Bow, Louise Brooks, Rita Hayworth, and Dita Parlo are her idols.
On Oprah (October 25,2006) Madonna stated that the adoption of David is not official until one year from now. A child service worker needs to check if David is fed and taken care of properly. Then after a year, Madonna may or may not be David's adoptive mom.
Andy Warhol was among the guests at her wedding to Sean Penn.
On her 1989 "Like A Prayer" album, she wrote a song about her failed marriage to Sean Penn called "Till Death Do Us Part".
14th January 1984: Performs "Holiday" on "Bandstand" (1952) {(1984-01-14)}. It is her first national TV performance.
1982: Signs a deal with Sire Records.
14th September 1984: Nominated for MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist and gives a memorable performance of "Like A Virgin" at the ceremony.
Ranked #86 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Rock & Roll.
Inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame for her outstanding contribution to British music and integral part of British music culture. [11 November 2004]
Distantly related to Mark Wahlberg.
Attended same high school as Karen Moncrieff, and David Geister.
Favourite alcoholic drink is lemon drops.
A fan of the book "Gone with the Wind".
Provided the idea of doing a parody of "Like a Virgin" for Weird Al. "Like a Surgeon" was her original idea. Madonna's friend who worked at Weird Al's record company passed the message.
Godparents of her son Rocco are Trudie Styler and Sting.
Matthew Vaughn was Best Man at her wedding to Guy Ritchie.
Six music videos that ranked on VH1's 100 Greatest Videos: "Like A Prayer" was #2, "Justify My Love" was #7, "Ray Of Light" was #40, "Material Girl" was #54, "Like A Virgin" was #61, and "Borderline" was #84.
Her 1989 album "Like A Prayer" ranked #100 on VH1's 100 Greatest Albums.
Four music videos that made it on VH1's 50 Sexiest Video Moments: "Justify My Love" was #1, "Erotica" was #16, "Take a Bow" was #27, and "Open Your Heart" was #37.
Her mother, Madonna Louise Fortin, was born on 11 July 1933 and died at the age of 30 on 1 December 1963. She was the mother of Anthony Ciccone (1956), Martin Ciccone (1957), Madonna (1958), Paula Ciccone (1959), Christopher Ciccone (1960), Melanie (1962). After his first wife's death, Silvio Ciccone married Joan Gustaffson (now Joan Ciccone (born in 1943), who gave birth to Mario (1968) and Jennifer (1969).
In 2007, Forbes Magazine reported that her 2006 earnings were estimated at $72 million.
Good friends with Mary Lambert, Herb Ritts, Jean-Baptiste Mondino and David Fincher.
Inducted (by Justin Timberlake) into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 10, 2008. Other inductees are John Mellencamp (by Billy Joel), The Dave Clark Five (by Tom Hanks), Leonard Cohen (by Lou Reed) and The Ventures.
Thanked by Alanis Morissette in the liner notes of her album "Jagged Little Pill".
Supporter of Hillary Rodham Clinton's 2008 electoral campaign.
Her 2008 song "4 Minutes" featuring Justin Timberlake and Tim Mosley (aka Timbaland) made her the female artist with the most Top 10 singles and the most number 1 hits (13) in the UK.
She and husband Guy Ritchie adopted a boy from Malawi, David Banda Mwale Ciccone Ritchie (born September 24th 2005). They filed the adoption papers on October 10, 2006 and the adoption was finalized on May 28, 2008.
Is a fan of Chris Isaak.
After months of speculation, she and Guy Ritchie announced their separation. [October 2008]
Godfather of her son David is Rupert Everett.
Was 38 years old when she gave birth to her first child. She was 42 when she had her second child and adopted her third when she was 48.
Her ex-husband Guy Ritchie is ten years younger than her.
The costumes she wore during her 1990 Blonde Ambition tour were designed by Jean-Paul Gaultier (including the controversial cone bras).
Had a two-year relationship with Warren Beatty and collaborated with him on several projects, including Dick Tracy (1990) and Madonna: Truth or Dare (1991).
She was one of the first celebrities who paid her tribute to Michael Jackson after his death.
Had a falling out with deejay and former friend Junior Vasquez in 1996, after he released a single titled "If Madonna Calls," which included audio of a message that she left on his answering machine. The single, which was believe to be in retaliation for Madonna not showing up to one of his club events ended their friendship and professional relationship on bad terms. Madonna's blacklisting of Vasquez was confirmed by her longtime publicist Liz Rosenberg, who in a June 2003 news story in New York Magazine said "I can assure you that Madonna will never work with Junior again.".
Her longtime publicist is Liz Rosenberg.
Adopted a girl from Malawi, Chifundo Mercy James (born 2005) (June 12, 2009).
She studied dance with the legendary Martha Graham.
In the music video "Papa Don't Preach" (1986), Madonna's father is played by Danny Aiello.
When the singer attempted to purchase a $1.2m apartment at Manhattan's famous San Remo high-rise on Central Park West, the residents' committee declined the singer's application. The media surmised that Madonna's celebrity pop status would have surely precipitated an endless draw for devoted fans and paparazzi, a predicament the residents were determined to avoid. Ultimately, Madonna moved into a nearby apartment at One West 64th Street, adjacent to the New York Society for Ethical Culture. [1985]
James Foley, who directed both Madonna (Who's That Girl (1987)) and Sean Penn (At Close Range (1986)), served as best man at the couple's wedding (August 1985).
For her 1992 erotic hardcover book - "Sex" - she was photographed by Steven Meisel.
Was four months pregnant with her daughter Lourdes when she completed filming on Evita (1996).
Returned to work seven months after giving birth to her daughter Lourdes in order to begin recording her seventh studio album "Ray of Light".
Returned to work eight months after giving birth to her son Rocco in order to begin performing in her fifth concert tour "Drowned World Tour".
Personal Quotes
When I'm hungry, I eat. When I'm thirsty, I drink. When I feel like saying something, I say it.
Children always understand. They have open minds. They have built-in shit detectors.
I think that everyone should get married at least once, so you can see what a silly, outdated institution it is.
[from her book "Sex"] A lot of people are afraid to say what they want. That's why they don't get what they want.
[to David Letterman] Listen, all you do is talk about my sex life on your show, so now you don't want to talk about my sex life when I'm on your show?!
[in Elle magazine, February 2001] Can I just say that I find it really irritating that everyone beats up on Britney Spears? I want to do nothing but support her and praise her and wish her the best. I mean, she's 18 years old! It's just shocking. I was so gawky and geeky and awkward and unsure of myself.
I sometimes think I was born to live up to my name. How could I be anything else but what I am having been named Madonna? I would either have ended up a nun or this.
I feel just as hungry today as I did the day I left home.
Better to live one year as a tiger, then a hundred as sheep.
I am my own experiment. I am my own work of art.
I live for meeting with men in suits. I love them because I know they had a really boring week and I walk in there with my orange velvet leggings and drop popcorn in my cleavage and then fish it out and eat it. I like that. I know I'm entertaining them, and I know that they know.
I'm like a cockroach - you just can't get rid of me!
People who have nothing better to do than talk about my hair color have no lives.
I'm a gay man trapped in a woman's body!
Not only do we suffer from racism and sexism, but we also suffer from ageism. Once you reach a certain age you're not allowed to be adventurous, you're not allowed to be sexual, I mean is there a rule? Are you supposed to just die when you're 40?
Without the heart, there can be no understanding between the hand and the mind.
I'm tough, ambitious and I know exactly what I want... if that makes me a bitch - okay!
Fame can be very disruptive. It can be like a drug. It gives you the feeling that you're happy, it gives you the feeling of self-importance, it gives you the feeling of fullfilment... but it can distract you from what is really important.
There is nothing rebellious about today's sounds, and music needs to be rebellious!
[on winning a French MRJ Career Award, January 2004] My ambition may be American, and I may have married a Brit, but my heart belongs to France.
[from the documentary "In Bed with Madonna" (2000)] I wouldn't live in Chicago cause it's too conservative, aside for the fact that Oprah Winfrey lives there.
I know I'm not the greatest singer or dancer, but that doesn't interest me, I'm interested in being provocative and pushing people's buttons.
I have two beautiful children and a brilliant, gorgeous husband. I have my work and my faith...If that's boring to some people, I can't tell you how much I don't care.
I think that Kabbahlah is very punk rock.
[August 1984] A lot of people thought that I was a black artist before they saw my videos, because a lot of my music is more R&B oriented, and I think that I'm a white artist doing R&B music, getting played on pop stations. And I think that the kind of records I make are really changing people's ideas of splitting up and categorizing artists and I think that's opening ways for black and white artists as well.
[August 1984] Videos might have a limited audience in one sense. But on the other hand, you could be reaching a lot of people that would never be able to come see you live. So I think they're definitely an advantage. Kids today worship the television, so I think it's a great way to reach them. When you perform on stage you're acting. That's a performance. If someone sticks a camera on you, what's the difference?
[September 1984] I would like to ultimately achieve. I already told Dick Clark once on "New American Bandstand 1965" (1952). So I repeat it again and annoy everyone who was annoyed before when I said it. I want to conquer the world.
[June 1989] Everybody in our family studied a musical instrument. My father was really big on that. Somehow I only took a year or two of piano lessons and I convinced my father to let me take dancing lessons.
[May 1984] When I first came to New York I was a dancer, and a French record label offered me a recording contract and I had to go to Paris to do it. So I went there and that's how I really got into the music business. But I didn't like what I was doing when I got there, so I left, and I never did a record there.
[December 1985] So then I'm playing drums and we're getting gigs in certain downtown clubs like CBGB and the Mud Club, and Max's Kansas City. And I'm starting to write music for the band, too, like some songs, but they already had two singers in the band, so they would never let me get up and sing a song because what's the point? One day I finally convinced them: "I'll just play guitar and sing one song. Please, please, please". And they finally said, "OK". So then I got up to sing one song and the other guy went back to play the drums. And like I got a standing ovation.
[December 1985] I befriended one DJ in particular and he worked at a club called Danceteria, which was one of my favorite clubs. And we talked a lot about music. I knew a lot about singers, and I knew a lot about different groups and stuff like that. And he said, "How come you know so much about this?" And I said, "I'm really interested in music". And he said, "Well, in what way?" And I said, "I'm a singer". He said, "No kidding?" And I said, "Yeah, and I just happen to have this tape right here". I mean, I was carrying this tape with me everywhere, at every club, waiting for the moment to pop it on somebody. So I said. "Would you play it?". And he said, "Well, I can't play it in the middle of the night. I haven't heard it. What if it's terrible? What if everyone stops dancing?" And I said< "Alright, well, you listen to it, take it home with you tonight, and listen to it. And I'll come back here tomorrow, and if you like it then you play it again". So that was a Friday night, so he went home. On Saturday night I met him again, and I came back before the club opened and he said he really loved it. So he played it. He played two songs. One of them was "Everybody".
[on Spice Girls] I like them. I know I am not supposed to. Every time someone says something bad about them, I say, "Hey, wait a minute, I was a Spice Girl once!"
Even if I feel like shit they still love me!
You have to be patient... I'm not!
I hate people who hate women. Actually I hate people who hate!
I do think that the birth of my daughter was sort of a rebirth for me. It made me look at life in a completely new way. And that made me appreciate life in a way I don't think I ever had before.
When I was growing up I was religious in a passionate adolescent way. Jesus Christ was like a movie star, my favorite idol of all.
[on Britney Spears] I feel really protective of her. Don't even ask me why. There's something about her. Even though she's terribly successful, for some reason I think of her as an underdog.
[on her relationship with Britney Spears] I see her as my little sister. She asks me for career advice. For the most part, I try to make her understand this isn't real life and she can't take everything people say seriously. I can understand some of the stuff she's going through. I help her with that.
I don't want people to dress like me anymore. Now, I want them to think like me. Dress like Britney Spears and think like me, and everything will be fine.
I've learned from studying Kabbalah that if your happiness is based on people approving of everything you do, you're doomed to fail... Kabbalah helped me stand up and take responsibility for everything to do with me.
I can be arrogant sometimes, but I never mean it intentionally. I can be really snotty to people but that's not anything new really. I always acted like a star long before I was one. If people don't see my sense of humor then I come off as being expensive, but I always endear myself to people when I find their weaknesses and they acknowledge it. It's the people who try to hide everything and try to make you think they're so cool that I can't stand.
[about her famous appearance in 1994 on "Late Show with David Letterman" (1993)] That was a time in my life when I was extremely angry. The press was constantly beating up on me, and I felt like I was a victim. So I lashed out at people and Letterman was one of them. I am not particularly proud of it.
I skip the huge breakfast. Once you eat it, I don't know how you can get up and move around...I go out and shoot some pheasants.
TV is trash. I was raised without it, I didn't miss anything. TV is poison. No-one even talks about it around here. We don't have magazines or newspapers in the house either.
You can't go to London and not start drinking Guinness. And I have been known to eat fried fish and French fries. When in Rome - right?
[on the federal government's reaction in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina] I was just frigging devastated, it was a real sad day. I don't get how people can have all these facts and still turn away from them. 9/11 was too ambiguous. You couldn't prove how the government was somehow in on the deal. You could say, "Oh, that's just Michael Moore". New Orleans was undeniable irresponsibility.
If you take everything I do at face value, you're going to be horrified. Or intimidated. Or insulted. Or bored.
[May 2006] It is a struggle to balance my career with my children. I'm always going, "Oh God, I'm a crap mother". I want to get home and put my kids to bed. And then sometimes, if I'm spending a lot of time with my children, I think, "Oh God, I just want to be an artist".
[about her daughter Lourdes] Sometimes she doesn't want me to come to certain things because she knows everyone is going to pay attention to me and then they'll treat her differently. I took her to school on the first day last year, and all these kids were buzzing around. She came home that day and she was really irritated and kind of bummed out, like people were playing this contest -- what would it be like to be Madonna's daughter?
[on the adoption of her son, David] My husband and I began the adoption process many months prior to our trip to Malawi. I did not wish to disclose my intentions to the world prior to the adoption happening as this is a private family matter. After learning that there were over one million orphans in Malawi, it was my wish to open up our home and help one child escape an extreme life of hardship, poverty and in many cases death, as well as expand out family. Nevertheless, we have gone about the adoption procedure according to the law like anyone else who adopts a child. Reports to the contrary are totally inaccurate. The procedure includes an l8-month evaluation period after which time we hope to make this adoption permanent. This was not a decision or commitment that my family or I take lightly. I am overwhelmed and inspired by my trip to Malawi and hope that it helps bring attention to how much more the world needs to do to help the children of Africa. My heartfelt thanks for all the good wishes I have received and I hope the press will allow my family some room for us to experience the joy we feel to have David home.
[Feb. 22, 2007] My kids don't watch TV. We have televisions but they're not hooked up to anything but movies. TV is trash. I was raised without it. We don't have magazines or newspapers in the house, either.
[Feb. 22, 2007] My daughter has a problem picking things up in her room. So if you leave your clothes on the floor, we put them in a trash bag. She has to earn them back by being tidy. I'm a disciplinarian. Guy's [husband Guy Ritchie] the spoiler.
[1978] When I came to New York it was the first time I'd ever taken a plane, the first time I'd ever gotten a taxi-cab, the first time for everything. And I came here with $35 in my pocket. It was the bravest thing I'd ever done.
One of the hardest thing I've faced in my life was the death of my mother, and that's something I really haven't got over to this day.
I want to be like Gandhi, Martin Luther King, John Lennon and Jesus, but I want to stay alive. (Sirius Satellite Radio interview)
I am so terribly sad about Michael Jackson's death. I don't know what artist wasn't inspired by him. To be able to do what he did at such an early age was unearthly, everybody grew up in awe of him. To work with him and become friends and hang out with him was exciting for me. I used to love picking his brains about musical stuff.
Younger people are generally more adventurous -- they're more open, more fun -- have you met many guys my age? Guys my age are married or divorced or grumpy, fat and balding.
[On the making of A League of Their Own (1992)] I cannot suffer any more than I have in the past month learning how to play baseball with a bunch of girls (yuk) in Chicago (double yuk). I have a tan, I am dirty all day and I hardly ever wear make-up. Penny Marshall is Lavern -- Geena Davis is a Barbie doll and when God decided where the beautiful men were going to live in the world, he did not choose Chicago. I have made a few friends but they are athletes, not actresses. I hate actresses, they have nothing on the house of extravaganza.
Salary
Evita (1996) $1,000,000
Body of Evidence (1993) $2,500,000 (plus percentage of gross and wardrobe)
Dick Tracy (1990) $35,000
Desperately Seeking Susan (1985) $80,000
A Certain Sacrifice (1980) $100
Where Are They Now
(September 2004) Ending her sold out Re-Invention Tour; and launching dolls, tea sets and umbrellas based on her book "The English Roses".
(October 2005) Released her new album "Confessions on a Dance Floor"
(January 2006) After having shot her new video "Sorry" for the second single from her successful album "Confessions on a dance-floor" she's planning to do a world-wide tour in summer.
(2007) Release of the book, "Madonna: Like An Icon" by Lucy O'Brien.
(July 2008) Release of the book, "Life With My Sister Madonna" by Christopher Ciccone and 'Wendy Leigh'.
(November 2008) Touring with her "Sticky & Sweet Tour". Appeared at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles, CA in November 2008.
(August 2010) Madonna and her daughter, Lourdes, launched their fashion line, Material Girl.
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