PROFILE

Madonna Louis Veronica Ciccone is one of the most influential and successful artists to stand on the face of this Earth. Born on August 16th, 1958 in Bay City, Michigan, she was once described as the belly button-baring, platinum-blonde, pointed-bra wearing, material girl. Madonna had created and re-invented words like "vogue", "boy toy" and "ambition". However, over the years, with personal and spiritual growth, everything has changed.

In addition to being the ever-evolving and multi-faceted artist, Madonna also focuses her life on motherhood to Lourdes, Rocco, David and Mercy. Madonna also does a lot of charity and spiritual work as an active student of The Kabbalah Centre.

Madonna, who was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in March 2008, is represented by Live Nation under a ten-year contract worth $120 million.

Photography: Tom Munro
Project: Sticky & Sweet Tour Book

OTHER PROJECTS

As early as her music career, Madonna has appeared in, starred in and even voiced in a number of films. Most memorable projects include Evita (1996) which earned Madonna a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical in 1997. In her documentary called I'm Going To Tell You A Secret (2005), she takes us behind and in front of the scenes in both her personal and professional lives - from her Re-Invention Tour, her spiritual visit to Israel and everything in between. I Am Because We Are (2008) in which she written, narrated and produced is a documentary about the millions of orphans in Malawi and Raising Malawi, a charitable organization she founded with The Kabbalah Centre. I Am Because We Are premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and Cannes Film Festival in 2008.

Not a stranger to the theatre stage either, Madonna made her British stage debut with the play called Up For Grabs (2002). Written by David Williamson, the production had a successful run at Wyndhams Theatre in London's West End.

In efforts to positively inspire children with important lessons based on teachings of the Kabbalah, Madonna authored a set of children's books. The first book, called The English Roses (2003) is the most popular in the series and has led to a number of follow-up book releases and a merchandise and fashion collection for children.

With regards to fashion, Madonna has covered most bases including being involved with high fashion to street. After working with the house of Versace and once with Gap, Madonna took things to the next level as fashion designer and teamed up with H&M (Hennes & Mauritz). The Madonna for H&M (2007) collaboration resulted in a global advertising campaign, sponsorship for the Confessions Tour and an exclusive, limited edition collection of women's clothing and accessories. Madonna collaborated with designer Marc Jacobs and became the face of the Louis Vuitton Spring-Summer and Autumn-Winter Campaigns (2009).

Without losing momentum, Madonna has many new fashion projects lined up in 2010. In addition to being the star of the Dolce & Gabbana Spring-Summer Campaign, Madonna is collaborating with the design duo to release a line of sunglasses under the label MDG. In the Fall, Madonna teams up with daughter Lourdes to launch a junior fashion line called Material Girl for Macy's.