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The rise and rise of Madonna
From sex-obsessed peroxide blonde to yogatastic earth mother, we chart Madonna's controversial journey through a quarter of a century at the top of pop
Naked ambition
The year is 1982. Chasing pop stardom, the 24-year-old from Bay City Michigan, throws away a dance scholarship and takes off to find fame in the bright lights of New York City.
There, she does a stint of nude modelling, plays drums and joins two bands. Finally, a record label answers her prayers and snaps her up. She releases her first single, Everybody, and the gay dance scene laps her up. Madonna is born.
Serial chart-buster
Record bosses know they're onto a good thing. They see their ballsy gal with the badass attitude and lacy outfits quickly build up a fan base. They recruit hipster Jellybean Benitez who helps Madonna produce her debut album, titled Madonna.
She notches up a string of hits, including Physical Attraction, Borderline, Lucky Star, and Holiday and the album goes certified gold. This starlet isn't just a one-hit wonder. She's in it for the long haul!
Smart blonde
Madonna soon realises the public fascination with her look. She's happy to give them more of what they want. The peroxide comes out and the hair gets blonder. Madonna introduces lacy fingerless gloves, crop-tops displaying midriff, and wears skirts over leggings.
There's also the distinctive beauty spot. On the album cover, she is pictured with a dog chain wrapped around her throat. A bit racy, eh? This is nothing compared to things to come.
The bad couple
Really, it was just a matter of time before Madonna became one-half of a celeb coupling. And that other half came in the form of bad-boy Sean Penn.
The couple got hitched in 1985 amidst a media frenzy, making them the baddest item in Hollywood gossip columns. Was it going to last? What do you think? Just three years later she filed for divorce and the couple went their separate ways.
Risque rewards
In 1984, Madonna's second album, Like a Virgin, propels her to super-stardom. She is well into the groove and her aggressive sexuality is a hit with teenagers who are singing about being 'touched for the very first time'.
Madonna debuts the title track at the first annual MTV Video Music Awards. In this performance, she rolls on the floor in a white wedding dress, exposing her panties and garter belt. She rounds off the year by appearing on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.
Desperate acting
The following year, Madonna makes her first foray into Hollywood. She stars alongside Rosanna Arquette in the film Desperately Seeking Susan, bringing that sassy, screw-you-I'll-live-my-life-as-I-like attitude to her role. The critics maul her acting skills but it doesn't matter because our girl can do no wrong! The film's a hit at the box office.
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