Madonna

Madonna Louise Ciccone, known professionally as Madonna, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. Born August 16, 1958, in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1978 to pursue dance and soon entered the music scene. Signing with Sire Records in 1982, she released her self-titled debut in 1983 and followed with the commercially successful Like a Virgin (1984), which made her a global pop icon. Her work through the 1980s and 1990s spanned dance-pop, rock, and ballads, with albums such as True Blue (1986), Like a Prayer (1989) and Erotica (1992). The 1998 album Ray of Light marked a shift to electronic and dance-inspired music and earned critical acclaim. She continued to release widely successful projects, including Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005).

In film, Madonna appeared in Desperately Seeking Susan (1985), Dick Tracy (1990) and Evita (1996); for Evita she won a Golden Globe for Best Actress and also won for Best Original Song, You Must Love Me. She founded Maverick Records in 1992 and later released music under major labels. Madonna is known for reinvention of image and music videos, influencing pop culture and fashion. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008 and has received numerous awards, including multiple Grammys. She has also been active in philanthropy, notably through Raising Malawi, which supports orphans and vulnerable children.