Madonna is one of the most innovative, influential and inspiring artists of our time. She has revolutionized the way people look at music and brought down the barriers of sexuality in the media. Madonna"'s assertive behavior, outspoken personality, and aggressive acts of sexuality, along with her great efforts to push back the borders of the acceptable, have brought her tremendous commercial success in America and abroad. She has achieved the reputation as a forefront performer and entertainer. Madonna has influenced American culture through her aggressive acts and displays of sexuality, her inspiring, yet controversial music, and her outspokenness on many women"'s and controversial issues. She is the ultimate sex symbol of America.
Madonna was born on the 16th of August 1958 in Rochester, Michigan, USA. Her family lived in Pontiac, Michigan at the time, but were visiting grandmother in Bay City when Madonna decided to appear in the world. She was christened Madonna Louise Ciccone, but her family used to called her 'Little Nonni'. When she was only five years old the mother she loved died of breast cancer. One of the hardest thing she"'s had to be faced with in her life was the death of her mother and that's something that she has never got over till this day. Madonna learned to be strong and independent early in life and she carries a clear memory of her mother's courage: "She tried to keep her fear deep down inside and not let us know - she never complained" ( Worell 175 ).When the mother died the Ciccone family was torn apart. Madonna and her brothers and sisters were sent to live with various relatives until, after a couple of years her father Tony married their housekeeper Joan Gustafson. Her father !.
insisted that the children have to call his new wife 'mother' but Madonna found that very hard to do. She never called Joan mother. Madonna was the oldest girl of eight children and that is the reason she caught most of the responsibility.