Read CNN’s Fast Facts on the life of Madonna, singer and actress.
Birth place: Bay City, Michigan
Birth name: Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone
Father: Silvio Ciccone, an engineer
Mother: Madonna (Fortin) Ciccone
Marriages: Guy Ritchie (December 22,2000-November 21,2008, divorced); Sean Penn (August 16,1985-September 14,1989, divorced)
Children: adopted: Mercy, Stella and Esther (twins); adopted with Guy Ritchie: David; with Guy Ritchie: Rocco; with Carlos Leon: Lourdes
Education: Attended University of Michigan on a dance scholarship, 1976-1978
Other Facts
Has sold more than 64 million albums in the United States with 12 multi-platinum records. (RIAA)
Nominated for 28 Grammy Awards, with seven wins.
Timeline
Early 1980s – Performs in New York dance clubs with bands including the Millionaires, Modern Dance and Emmy.
1982 – Signs a contract with Sire Records, an affiliate of Warner Bros. Records.
July 1983 – Her self-titled debut album is released. It features such hits as « Borderline, » « Lucky Star » and « Burning Up. »
1984 – Madonna performs the song, « Like a Virgin, » in a wedding dress, on the first MTV Video Music Awards. The provocative performance helps propel the song to the top of the Billboard singles chart. It’s her first #1 single.
1985 – Stars in the film, « Desperately Seeking Susan, » and launches her first major concert tour.
1988 – Makes her Broadway acting debut in the David Mamet play, « Speed-the-Plow. »
1990 – MTV bans her sexually explicit video « Justify My Love. »
May 10,1991 – « Truth or Dare, » a documentary about Madonna’s Blond Ambition tour, is released.
February 25,1992 – Wins a Grammy for Best Music Video, Long Form for « Madonna – Blond Ambition World Tour Live. »
April 1992 – Time Warner signs her to a multimedia deal that includes albums, books and videos. With the deal, Madonna launches her own record label, Maverick Records. Reportedly, the contract is worth $60 million.
1992 – Madonna’s photo book titled « Sex » is published, and within a week, it tops the New York Times bestseller list.
