Madonna Louise Ciccone

Name               :  Madonna
New Name       :  ESTHER 
(she changed her name very recently in 2004)   
Birth Name      :  Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone (pronounced: chee-koh-neh)   
Nicknames       :  Nonnie, Maddy, Mo,
                           The Material Girl, Madge   
Date of Birth   :  August 16, 1958   
Place of Birth  :  Rochester, Michigan   
Height             :  5' 4” 
Education        :  University of Michigan
                           (majored in Dance; dropped out);
                           Adams High School, Rochester, 
                           Michigan; West Junior High School. 
Nationality      :  American   
Profession      :  Singer, actress, producer, composer From>

1983
June 27
Madonna – The Album
After landing on the dance charts in '82, Madonna releases her self-titled debut album, which includes radio perennials "Lucky Star" and " Holiday." "Borderline" becomes the first in a string of 13 consecutive Top 5 hits, a winning streak bettered only by Elvis and the Beatles. She later tells PEOPLE: "Everything following that was like, 'Oh my God! What's happening to my life?' You get caught up in that."

1984
September 14
Like a Virgin
Vamping at the very first MTV Video Music Awards for her soon-to-be released second album, Madonna performs "Like a Virgin" on top of a giant white wedding cake, dressed in a white bustier, her trademark "Boy Toy" belt buckle and crucifix jewelry. Released on Nov. 12, the album becomes No. 1 in the U.S. for three weeks and sells 7 million copies worldwide by May.

1985
March 29
Wannabes Everywhere
Madonna makes her big-screen debut in Desperately Seeking Susan opposite Rosanna Arquette, reveling in the role of a wisecracking street urchin not unlike herself, but the singer's fanciful style eclipses her acting performance. Wannabes turn up all over the world, sporting leggings, lace gloves and bellybutton-baring shirts.

1987
September 04
The Controversy Begins
Madonna begins the final leg of her "Who's That Girl?" tour in Turin, Italy, and the Pope urges the faithful to stay away. He further condemns the singer when her statue is erected in Pacentro, the Italian town of her ancestors. More run-ins with the Church will lead to a boycott of her 1990 "Blond Ambition Tour" that includes Madonna's signature mix of Catholicism and sexuality.

1989
March 02
Pepsi Pulls the Plug
Two months after Pepsi signs Madonna to a $5 million multiyear endorsement deal, the company features her in a TV commercial. The following day "Like a Prayer", one of the singer's most controversial videos, debuts with images of her kissing a black saint and dancing in front of a field of burning crosses. Backlash from religious groups forces Pepsi to pull the campaign, but Madonna keeps the cash.

1996
Christmas Day
Screen Praise at Last
Madonna stars as Eva Perón in Evita, which earns her a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy and an Oscar for Best Song "You Must Love Me" from the movie's double disk soundtrack, which includes several other songs by Madonna.

2000
December 22
Madonna & Ritchie Wed
In a Stella McCartney gown, Madonna marries Ritchie, who wears a Mackintosh clan kilt at the Great Hall of Scotland's 19th-century Skibo Castle. Lourdes, then 4, acts as flower girl, and a kilt-clad Rocco held by the nanny sits in front. Guests include Gwyneth Paltrow, Donatella Versace and Sting.

2003
August 28
A Pop-Star Threesome
During the MTV Video Music Awards, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera join Madonna onstage for a much talked about performance that ends with Madonna locking lips with Aguilera and then Spears. "It was a lovely, soft kiss," Aguilera tells PEOPLE.

2005
November 15
Back to the Dance Floor!
After spending her 47th birthday in the hospital for injuries sustained from falling off a horse, Madonna releases Confessions on a Dance Floor. After embarking on a worldwide tour, she wins her sixth Grammy for Best Electronic/Dance Album in 2007.

2006
October
An International Family
Despite following all legal procedures, the superstar faces scrutiny from human rights groups and the media when she begins the process to adopt David Banda, a 13-month-old from Malawi. In a statement to PEOPLE, Madonna says she was shocked by the reaction: "I expect to be given a hard time about many of the things I do. I know they are provocative and I prepare myself, but I did not expect the media, the government or any human rights organizations to take a stand against me trying to save a child's life."

2008
Spring
Madonna's Candy
After getting inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Justin Timberlake, Madonna, 49, debuts her single, "4 Minutes," which she worked on with Timberlake. The song is off her new album, Hard Candy, which takes the top spot on Billboard's 200 albums chart.