Madonna Louise Ciccone was born in Bay City, Michigan, to Madonna Louise Fortin and Silvio Ciccone, an Italian immigrant. She was the third of six children in a large Italian-American family.

At the age of five, Madonna lost her mother to breast cancer, an event that she has often cited as a driving force behind her pursuit of success and fame.

Madonna moved to New York City to pursue a career in dance. She studied dance at the University of Michigan and with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater before relocating to New York. She performed with rock bands such as Breakfast Club and Emmy & the Emmys, and worked various jobs to support herself.

Madonna released her self-titled debut album, which included her first hit single 'Holiday.' This marked the beginning of her successful music career, characterized by an upbeat dance club sound that would become a hallmark of her style.

The album 'Like a Virgin' was released, becoming a huge success and launching Madonna as an international figure. The title track topped the Billboard charts for six weeks, solidifying her position as a rising star in the music industry.

Madonna married actor Sean Penn in 1985 and began her film career with roles in 'Desperately Seeking Susan' and other films. Her marriage to Penn ended in divorce in 1989. During this period, she also released several successful albums, including 'True Blue' and 'Like a Prayer'.

Madonna released her album 'Ray of Light,' a fusion of techno and self-conscious lyrics that marked a significant shift in her musical style. The album was a critical and commercial success, earning her several Grammy Awards and solidifying her status as a versatile artist.

Madonna married English director Guy Ritchie in 2000 and gave birth to their son Rocco. During this period, she released several successful albums, including 'Music' and 'Confessions on a Dance Floor.' She also embarked on highly successful tours, such as the Drowned World Tour and the Confessions Tour, which broke records for the highest-grossing concert tours by a female artist.

Madonna was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, recognizing her immense contribution to the music industry. She also embarked on the Sticky & Sweet Tour, which set a new record for the highest-grossing concert tour by a female performer at the time.

Madonna continued to release innovative albums such as 'MDNA,' 'Rebel Heart,' and 'Madame X,' each exploring different musical styles and themes. She also embarked on several tours, including the MDNA Tour and the Rebel Heart Tour, maintaining her status as a touring powerhouse.

Madonna launched her 12th world tour, the Celebration Tour, a retrospective of her musical legacy. The tour concluded in Rio de Janeiro in May 2024 with a free concert on the beach, attended by 1.6 million fans, making it the largest standalone concert event in history by a recording artist.