Madonna Louise Ciccone was born on August 16, 1958 in Bay City, Michigan. He is better known as Madonna, is an American dance-pop singer-songwriter, record and film producer, dancer, actress, author and fashion icon.

In 1990, her career reached a new peak of publicity and commercial success. She starred with Warren Beatty in the blockbuster movie Dick Tracy, while the extravagant costumes and choreography of the Blond Ambition world tour were the apotheosis of Madonna's uninhibited melange of sexuality, song, dance and religiosity. The tour was commemorated by the following year's documentary movie, Truth Or Dare. Among her hits of the early 90s were the transatlantic number 1 "Vogue", devoted to a short-lived dance craze, "Hanky Panky", "Justify My Love", "Rescue Me", and "This Used To Be My Playground".

In 1996, Madonna's need to shock had mellowed considerably with a credible movie portrayal of Eva Peron in Alan Parker's Evita. Later that year she became "with child' on 14 October with the birth of Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon. She returned to music with March 1998"s Ray Of Light, one of her finest recordings to date. Collaborating with producer William Orbit, Madonna positively reveled in a new found musical freedom. Her voice had also matured into a rich and expressive instrument. The album generated several transatlantic hit singles, including "Frozen", "Ray Of Light", "Drowned World", "The Power Of Good-bye", and "Nothing Really Matters". "Beautiful Stranger', taken from the soundtrack to the Mike Myers" movie Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, reached number 2 in the UK charts in June 1999. Another soundtrack, for the movie The Next Best Thing, co-written and co-produced by Madonna and Orbit, was released on the singer's Maverick label. It featured her new single, a reworking of Don McLean's classic "American Pie".

Madonna was married to actor Sean Penn from 1984 to 1988. On 22 December, she married the UK film director Guy Ritchie in Scotland and managed once again to grab most of the newspaper headlines. She went on to collaborate with Ritchie on the controversial video for "What It Feels Like For A Girl", and in 2002 starred in the director's ill-fated remake of Swept Away. The same year Madonna performed the theme song to the new James Bond movie, Die Another Day. The following year she released her new studio album, American Life, a transatlantic chart-topper. Now she's back with "Confessions On a Dance Floor," which has already produced two number one hits - "Hung up" and "Sorry."

In October 2006, during a trip to an orphanage in Malawi, Madonna adopted a baby boy named David Banda.

Filmography

• Arthur et les Minimoys (2006)
• "Will & Grace" (1 episode, 2003)
• Die Another Day (2002)
• Swept Away (2002)
• Star (2001)
• The Next Best Thing (2000)
• Evita (1996)
• Girl 6 (1996)
• Four Rooms (1995)
• Blue in the Face (1995)
• Dangerous Game (1993)
• Body of Evidence (1993)
• A League of Their Own (1992)
• "Saturday Night Live" (1 episode, 1992)
• Shadows and Fog (1992)
• Dick Tracy (1990)
• Bloodhounds of Broadway (1989)
• Who's That Girl? (1987)
• Shanghai Surprise (1986)
• Desperately Seeking Susan (1985)
• Vision Quest (1985)
• A Certain Sacrifice (1985)

Awards

• Grammy Best Electronic/Dance Album "Confessions On A Dance Floor" 2007
• Grammy Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media "Beautiful Stranger" (from "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me") 2000
• Grammy Best Dance Recording "Ray of Light" 1999
• Grammy Best Pop Album "Ray of Light" 1999
• Grammy Best Music Video, Short Form "Ray of Light" 1999
• Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award Best Song "Beautiful Stranger" (from "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me") 1999
• MTV Music Video Award Video from a Film "Beautiful Stranger" 1999
• MTV Video Music Award Video of the Year "Ray of Light" 1998
• MTV Video Music Award Female Video "Ray of Light" 1998
• MTV Video Music Award Choreography in a Video "Ray of Light" 1998
• Billboard Music Artist Achievement Award 1996
• Golden Globe Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) "Evita" 1996
• MTV Video Music Award Female Video "Take a Bow" 1995
• Grammy Best Music Video-Long Form "Madonna: Blonde Ambition World Tour Live" 1992
• American Music Award Dance Music Video "Vogue" 1990
• MTV Music Video Viewers' Choice Award "Like a Prayer" 1989
• MTV Music Video Award Female Video "Papa Don't Preach" 1987
• People's Choice Award Favorite Female Musical Performer 1987
• American Music Award Pop/Rock Female Video Artist 1986
• MTV Music Video Vanguard Award 1986