Maria Sharapova is a retired professional tennis player who hails from Russia. She won her first Grand Slam title at the age of 17 and went on to become one of the most successful players of her generation, earning five Grand Slam titles and countless other accolades throughout her career. Sharapova was known for her powerful serve, fierce competitive spirit, and striking good looks, which made her a fan favorite both on and off the court.

Despite facing setbacks and injuries throughout her career, Sharapova remained a formidable opponent until her retirement in 2020, leaving a lasting legacy as one of the greatest players in tennis history.

Maria Sharapova’s net worth is estimated to be around $180 million, making her one of the wealthiest athletes in the world. Much of her wealth has come from her successful tennis career, which saw her win millions of dollars in prize money and endorsement deals. She has also been a sought-after endorser for companies like Nike, Porsche, and Evian.

Her net worth reflects her athletic achievements, determination, and business acumen. As one of the most iconic figures in tennis history, Sharapova’s legacy will continue to inspire future generations of athletes and entrepreneurs.

Maria Sharapova’s journey to becoming a tennis superstar began at an early age. Born in Siberia in 1987, Sharapova started playing tennis at the age of four, coached by her father, Yuri. Recognizing her talent, her family moved to the USA when she was just seven years old, in order to give her the best chance of success.

Sharapova quickly rose through the ranks of the junior tennis circuit, earning her first professional victory at just 14 years old. Her early start in the sport allowed her to hone her skills and develop the determination and discipline that served her well throughout her career.

In 2007, Maria Sharapova suffered a shoulder injury that would plague her for the rest of her career. Despite the injury, she continued to play through the pain for several years. Finally, in 2011, Sharapova took a year off from tennis to undergo surgery and let her injury heal.

During that time, she focused on rehabilitation and strengthening her shoulder, eventually returning to the court with renewed energy and a fierce determination to reclaim her place among the top players in the world.

Maria Sharapova was romantically involved with Sasha Vujacic, a basketball player who used to play for the Los Angeles Lakers. Their relationship reportedly began in 2009 and lasted for several years before it ended. Although the reasons for their split remain unknown, both Sharapova and Vujacic have since moved on with their respective lives and careers.

Sharapova has always kept her personal life private, but her high-profile relationship with Vujacic garnered media attention and speculation. Despite the scrutiny, she remained focused on her tennis career and continued to achieve impressive feats on the court.

Maria Sharapova’s success on the court has been matched only by her success off the court as a highly sought-after endorser and spokesperson. Sharapova has represented a variety of top brands throughout her career, including Nike, Motorola, Lacoste, Tag Heuer, Tiffany and Co., Canon, and Land Rover.

These lucrative endorsement deals have made Sharapova one of the highest-paid female athletes in the world. Her partnership with Nike alone has resulted in multi-million dollar deals, including The Maria Sharapova Collection and an eight-year extension worth a reported $70 million. With her talent and marketability, Sharapova truly deserves the title of “Commercial Queen.”

Maria Sharapova welcomed her first son, Theodore, on July 1st, 2022. Theodore’s father is British businessman Alexander Gilkes, who proposed to Sharapova in December 2020 after two years of dating. Gilkes co-founded the online auction platform Paddle8 and attended Eton College alongside Princes William and Harry.

Sharapova has been relatively private about her personal life but has shared some details about her relationship with Gilkes on social media. The couple appears to be happy and in love, and fans have expressed excitement and well wishes for their new family.

Maria Sharapova moved from Russia to the USA to pursue her tennis career at just seven years old. Sharapova’s father recognized his daughter’s talent and potential in tennis and believed that she would have more opportunities to succeed in the sport by training in America.

Sharapova and her father moved to Florida, where she began training with famed tennis coach Nick Bollettieri. The move proved to be a wise choice, as Sharapova became one of the most successful tennis players ever.

Maria Sharapova began her tennis training at just four years old, under the guidance of her father, Yuri Sharapov. However, Sharapova’s talent and potential became more evident, so her father sought additional coaching.

Yutkin recognized Sharapova’s potential and quickly became her primary coach, helping her to develop a robust and aggressive style of play. Yutkin’s coaching proved instrumental in Sharapova’s early success in tennis.

At just 17 years old, Maria Sharapova made a historic victory at Wimbledon in 2004, becoming the third youngest woman to win the prestigious tennis tournament. Her success surprised many, as she was unseeded and had only played in three Grand Slam tournaments before Wimbledon.

Sharapova’s victory marked the start of a successful career, as she went on to win four more Grand Slam titles and numerous other tournaments. Her Wimbledon win cemented her place in tennis history and helped to launch her into international stardom.

Maria Sharapova was known for her aggressive style of play on the tennis court, which earned her several Grand Slam titles. However, her aggression was not limited to her game, as she displayed it off the court too. A notable example was during the 2012 Australian Open, where Sharapova’s opponent Agnieszka Radwańska criticized her trademark grunt as annoying.

Sharapova did not take this comment lightly and retaliated in the press conference by making a snarky remark about Radwańska’s performance in the match. This incident showcased Sharapova’s fierce and competitive spirit on and off the court.

The Sharapova-Williams feud began when Maria Sharapova entered the tennis scene as a rising star. She overcame the then-undefeated Serena Williams in a match, but some claimed this was only possible because Serena was injured.

It led to a decade-long rivalry between the two tennis stars, with Sharapova frequently losing to Williams in subsequent matches. Despite the drama, both players remained at the top of the tennis world and were admired for their talent and competitive spirit.

Maria Sharapova was not just a dominant force on the tennis court but was also one of the highest-paid tennis players of her time. Despite having fewer Grand Slam titles than her contemporaries like Serena Williams, she consistently earned more money in endorsement deals and sponsorships.

It can be attributed to Sharapova’s marketability and popularity among fans, which translated into lucrative deals with brands like Nike and Porsche. Sharapova’s off-court earnings and business ventures continue to make her a successful entrepreneur and a role model for young athletes.

Maria Sharapova was one of her generation’s most successful tennis players and one of the most searched athletes on the internet during her peak years. In 2004-2005, Sharapova topped Yahoo’s list of most searched athletes.

Her stunning looks, aggressive playing style, and marketable personality made her an instant fan favorite, and her success on the court only added to her popularity. Sharapova’s influence on the sport and global appeal cemented her status as one of the most recognizable names in tennis history.

Maria Sharapova, the former world No. 1 tennis player, faced initial setbacks in her debut matches at the French Open and the Australian Open. Sharapova struggled to adapt to the French Open clay surface and Australia’s extreme heat.

However, she used these early losses as a learning experience and became a five-time Grand Slam champion. Her dedication and hard work enabled her to overcome early disappointments and succeed in her career.

Maria Sharapova’s autobiography Unstoppable: My Life So Far garnered attention for how it portrayed Serena Williams. Sharapova described Williams as physically intimidating, with a muscular build that belied her TV appearance.

Sharapova also claimed their relationship was irreparable and took credit for Williams’ success in the sport. Despite the controversy, Sharapova’s autobiography offered a glimpse into the life of a successful tennis player and entrepreneur and the intense rivalries and pressure that comes with the sport.

Maria Sharapova is a successful athlete, entrepreneur, and avid reader. She’s been known to carry books on tour and has even credited reading with helping her improve her mental game on the tennis court. Sharapova has also recommended books to her fans on social media and has spoken about her love for classic literature.

She even attended Harvard Business School’s Executive Education Program, where she studied negotiation and innovation. Sharapova’s dedication to learning and personal growth has contributed to her success on and off the court.

Maria Sharapova was born in Nyagan, a small town in Russia, on April 19th, 1987. Her parents, Yuri and Yelena, were both athletic, with Yuri working as a tennis coach and Yelena working as a swimmer. Sharapova began playing tennis at four years old and showed promise from a young age.

When she was six years old, her family moved to Sochi, where she began training with her father. By the time she was a teenager, Sharapova had become a rising star in the world of tennis, eventually winning multiple Grand Slam titles and becoming one of the sport’s most recognizable names.

Maria Sharapova is a former professional tennis player and a successful businesswoman. Along with Candy veteran Jeff Rubin, she founded a candy line called Sugarpova. This sweet venture was launched in 2012 and has become a hit among candy lovers worldwide.

Sugarpova offers a variety of flavors in gummy candies, chocolates, and even premium gift sets. Sharapova’s involvement in the brand is not just limited to a name; she’s played an active role in developing flavors and packaging. With her business acumen, Sharapova has shown that she’s a force to be reckoned with beyond the tennis court.

In 2005, Maria Sharapova achieved a significant milestone in her tennis career by becoming the world’s No. 1 player. She had already won two Grand Slam titles – the 2004 Wimbledon and the 2005 US Open – before reaching the top of the WTA rankings.

Sharapova’s aggressive playing style, powerful serve, and mental toughness helped her win multiple titles that year, including the 2005 Australian Open. She became the first Russian woman to hold the world’s No. 1 ranking, cementing her status as one of the greatest players in tennis history.

Maria Sharapova is a multi-talented individual interested in the arts and music. In her free time, the former tennis star often attends concerts and visits art galleries. She has a deep appreciation for classical music and has even played the piano since childhood.

Sharapova also loves modern art, citing her admiration for artists such as Marc Chagall and Salvador Dali. Her interest in the arts reflects her creative side, and she continues to explore new forms of expression beyond the tennis court.

Maria Sharapova is a fan of spy fiction and detective stories, with a particular affinity for the classic works of Arthur Conan Doyle. She’s expressed her love for the original Sherlock Holmes novels, which she enjoys reading in her spare time.

While she may appreciate spy films and TV series, her passion for the genre is primarily based on literature. Sharapova’s fascination with the genre speaks to her love for intrigue and mystery, and she continues to explore the works of other notable authors in the field.

Maria Sharapova has often expressed her fondness for watching men’s circuit matches. She has stated that she enjoys the power and speed displayed by male players and appreciates the aggressive and physical nature of the men’s game.

Sharapova has also noted that she finds studying male players’ techniques and strategies helpful, which she can incorporate into her own game. Sharapova’s career is a testimony to that, as she won multiple Grand Slam titles and was ranked No. 1 in the world.

Maria Sharapova is known for her intense competitiveness on the tennis court, but she’s always been a calm and composed player. Unlike many of her peers, Sharapova doesn’t believe in throwing tantrums or breaking tennis rackets, even when things don’t go her way.

Instead, she channels her emotions into her game, using her mental toughness and focus on coming back from behind and winning matches. Sharapova’s sportsmanship and professionalism have earned her the respect of her fans and fellow players, making her one of the most admired athletes out there.

Maria Sharapova has attributed much of her success to her mentor, Mary Joe Fernandez. Fernandez played an instrumental role in guiding Sharapova during her early career, providing her with advice, motivation, and support.

Fernandez’s vast experience as a top-ranked player, and her success in the sport, undoubtedly positively impacted Sharapova’s development. Sharapova has often spoken fondly of Fernandez and her impact on her career.

Maria Sharapova has often cited Monica Seles as her idol in tennis. Seles, a former world No. 1 player, was known for her aggressive playing style and ability to hit the ball with incredible power and precision. Sharapova has stated that she was inspired by Seles’ fearlessness on the court and her willingness to take risks.

Sharapova has also praised Seles’ mental toughness and ability to overcome adversity, including her recovery from a career-threatening injury. Seles’ legacy as a tennis icon has undoubtedly influenced Sharapova’s approach to the sport and her success on tour.

Maria Sharapova has spoken about her habit of taking afternoon naps as part of her daily routine. She’s noted that napping helps her recharge and rejuvenate her body, allowing her to perform at her best during training and matches.

Sharapova has acknowledged the importance of rest and recovery in maintaining her physical and mental health and has made napping a regular part of her schedule. While some may view napping as a luxury, Sharapova sees it as a necessity for maintaining her high level of performance and achieving her goals in tennis and in life.

Maria Sharapova was the first torchbearer at the lighting ceremony of the Winter Olympics held in Sochi, Russia, in 2014. The ceremony is a significant event, marking the start of the games. Sharapova was selected to carry the torch in recognition of her tennis achievements and contributions to Russian sports.

With the world watching, Sharapova ran through the streets with the Olympic torch, passing it on to other athletes, symbolizing the unity and spirit of the games. It was a proud moment for her and her country.

Maria Sharapova has repeatedly expressed her love for London, as both a tourist and a tennis player. Sharapova has competed in the prestigious Wimbledon tournament numerous times – which is held near London – and has always spoken fondly of the city’s rich history, culture, and charm.

She’s noted that she enjoys exploring the city’s many museums, parks, and restaurants and has cited London as one of her favorite cities worldwide. Sharapova’s appreciation for London reflects her curiosity, open-mindedness, and appreciation for new experiences, both on and off the tennis court.

Martina Navratilova played an instrumental role in recognizing Maria Sharapova’s talent as a young player. At age six, Sharapova attended a tennis clinic in Moscow that Navratilova was running. The tennis legend was immediately struck by Sharapova’s natural ability and advised her father that she should be enrolled at the IMG Academy in Florida. Sharapova ultimately was enrolled three years later under a full scholarship.

Navratilova’s early recognition of Sharapova’s potential was crucial to her development as a tennis player. It helped set her on the path to becoming one of the greatest players in the sport. Sharapova has often expressed gratitude to Navratilova for her encouragement and support.

Maria Sharapova’s win at the 2012 French Open was a historic moment for her career. It made her only the 10th woman in tennis history to achieve a Career Grand Slam, which involves winning all four major tennis tournaments: the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open.

Sharapova’s victory at the French Open was significant, as it was the only Grand Slam tournament she had yet to win. With her achievement, Sharapova cemented her place in tennis history as one of the sport’s most accomplished and successful players.

In 2007, Maria Sharapova was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). As a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, Sharapova has traveled to many countries to raise awareness of poverty, inequality, and sustainable development issues.

She’s also advocated for gender equality and women’s empowerment. Sharapova has often spoken about the importance of using her platform and influence to impact the world positively.

Maria Sharapova has long dreamed of becoming a Bond Girl since she first saw James Bond films as a child. In several recent interviews, Sharapova has expressed her desire to play a Bond Girl in a future film. She’s even joked that her professional tennis experience would be helpful in any action scenes.

Despite her aspirations, Sharapova has yet to make her Bond Girl debut on the big screen. Nevertheless, her love for the iconic spy franchise, and her desire to be a part of it, remain strong.

In 2015, Forbes magazine named Maria Sharapova the world’s highest-paid female athlete. With over $29 million in earnings that year, Sharapova surpassed her peers in on-court winnings and off-court endorsements.

Sharapova’s success on and off the court has made her a role model for many young athletes. Her entrepreneurial spirit and business savvy have earned her respect and admiration from fans and colleagues alike.

Maria Sharapova’s win at Wimbledon in 2004 was significant because it was her first Grand Slam title, and she became the first Russian woman to win the prestigious tournament. This achievement was an important milestone in Russian tennis history and helped to cement Sharapova’s status as a national hero in her home country.

Her victory at Wimbledon paved the way for a new generation of Russian tennis players, who have since followed in her footsteps and continued to make their mark on the sport at the highest levels.

Maria Sharapova is known for her height, which sets her apart from many female tennis players. Standing at 6’2″, Sharapova is one of the tallest female tennis players to ever compete professionally.

Her height gives her a significant advantage on the court, allowing her to serve and hit the ball with greater power and reach than many of her opponents. Sharapova has used her height throughout her career, and it’s helped her become one of the most dominant players in women’s tennis history.

Maria Sharapova signed her first Nike contract when she was just 11 years old. In a move that would prove to be both bold and prophetic, the sportswear giant saw something special in the young tennis prodigy and decided to invest in her early on.

The deal reportedly involved a five-year agreement worth $500,000 and included a clause that promised additional funding if Sharapova achieved certain performance milestones.

In 2002, Maria Sharapova made history by becoming the youngest girl to reach the finals of the Junior Australian Open at age 14. Despite losing in the final to her compatriot, Ksenia Milevskaya, Sharapova’s performance marked her as a rising star in tennis.

Her success at the junior level would be the beginning of a remarkable career, which would see her win five Grand Slam singles titles and become one of the greatest female tennis players of all time.

Maria Sharapova’s last name is the feminine version of her father’s last name, Yuri Sharapov. In Russian, last names change depending on gender, with the masculine form ending in ‘ov’ and the feminine form ending in ‘ova.’

While the origins of her last name may be relatively commonplace, Sharapova’s career and legacy in tennis have been anything but ordinary, and her name has become synonymous with talent, grace, and success.

Maria Sharapova’s father and Aleksandr Kafelnikov’s son Yevgeny was the first Russian to be ranked No. 1 in the world in the game of tennis. At the age of four, Sharapova got a tennis racquet from Aleksandr and began her passion for the game.

Sharapova’s stint in the sport was rather long and consistent, and Kafelnikov played a significant role in this. Sharapova won multiple titles and made her name in the history of the sport.

At the age of 13, Sharapova made a mark in tennis by winning the Eddie Herr International Junior Tennis Championships in the girls’ 16 division, in November 2000. This victory showcased her immense talent and potential as a young player.

Sharapova’s win at this prestigious tournament established her as a rising star in the tennis world and set the stage for her future successes. Her victory at such a young age was a testament to her determination and passion for the sport, and a sign of the incredible career to come.

In 2001, Maria Sharapova turned pro at 14 years old, becoming the youngest female tennis player in over a decade. Despite her young age, Sharapova quickly established herself as a formidable player with her powerful serves and fierce competitiveness.

Her breakthrough came in 2004 when she won her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon. This victory not only cemented her position as one of the top players in the game but also marked the beginning of a long and successful career.

In February 2020, Maria Sharapova announced her retirement from professional tennis at the age of 32. She cited persistent injuries as the reason behind her decision to retire. Sharapova, who turned pro at age 14, reached the peak of her career in 2005 when she became No.1 in the world.

Throughout her career, Sharapova won 36 WTA titles and represented Russia in three Olympic Games. She’s known for her powerful serve, fierce competitiveness, and elegant style on and off the court. Her retirement marked the end of an era in women’s tennis.

From 2005 to 2011, Maria Sharapova was listed in the Forbes Celebrity 100, which ranks the world’s highest-paid celebrities. Sharapova’s lucrative endorsements with major brands like Nike, Porsche, and Evian, combined with her on-court success, contributed to her significant earnings.

In 2008, Sharapova was the highest-paid female athlete in the world, and she remained in the top 10 for several years. Her strong presence in the Forbes Celebrity 100 list cemented her status as one of the world’s most recognizable and marketable athletes.

Maria Sharapova’s autobiography, titled Unstoppable: My Life So Far, was released on September 12th, 2017, and published by Sarah Crichton Books. In the book, Sharapova tells the story of her life from her childhood in Russia to her rise to fame as a tennis player, as well as her experiences and personal struggles both on and off the court.

She discusses her injuries and her ultimate retirement from tennis. The book provided a unique insight into the life of one of the most successful female tennis players in history and was well-received by both fans and critics.

Can you believe Madonna has been the Queen of Pop for over 40 years? The “Material Girl” constantly reinvents herself and keeps up with the latest music trends and fashion Vogues. So, join us as we “express ourselves,” “justify our love,” and “celebrate” the most iconic female recording artist of all time. Along the way, we’ll discover how Madonna overcame many tragedies.

Madonna’s real name is Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone. She was born in Bay City, Michigan, on August 16th, 1958. Her father was Silvio Anthony “Tony” Ciccone — an engineer designer for Chrysler and General Motors. Her mother was Madonna Louise. Since Madonna shared her mother’s name, her family called her “Little Nonnie.”

Her mother was of French-Canadian descent, while her paternal grandparents — Gaetano Ciccone and Michelina Dijulio — came from one of Italy’s most beautiful villages, Pacentro. Little Nonnie (pictured, middle) had two older brothers, Anthony and Martin. She also had three younger siblings named Paula, Christopher, and Melanie.

Devastatingly, Madonna’s mother passed away from breast cancer on December 1st, 1963. She was just 30 years old. Poor Tony, Little Nonnie, and her siblings watched as their mom slowly wasted away over the last year of her life. Her mother’s passing had a massive impact on the five-year-old, and Madonna later said she’d be a different person if her mom had lived.

Tony remarried just three years later. Feeling alone, empty, abandoned — and terrified her dad would also be taken from her — Madonna became close with her grandmother, Michelina.

Surprisingly, Madonna described herself as being quiet and nerdy at school. She got straight A’s in high school and supposedly has an IQ of 140. However, the rebellious cheerleader (pictured, middle) performed cartwheels in the school hallways, dangled from the monkey bars during recess, and pulled up her skirt during class to show boys her underwear!

A vegetarian since she was 15, Madonna explained that growing up in Northern Michigan, she studied hard as you had to “if you wanted to get out of the small town and be somebody.”

Madonna attended the University of Michigan on a dance scholarship but flunked out to pursue a career in music. In 1978, while Debbie Harry, Blondie, The Ramones, and Talking Heads were rocking CBGB’s and the New York music scene, Madonna arrived in the Big Apple with just $35 in her pocket. She said, “It was the bravest thing I’d ever done.”

She worked as a waitress in Dunkin’ Donuts, but her low wage meant she posed for adult magazines, getting paid as little as $25 a session.

The young waitress and model found an apartment in the East Village. At night, she studied under choreographer Martha Graham and worked as a backup dancer. But New York was rough, and she was mugged and burglarized three times. Then, late one night, two men assaulted her on her way home from rehearsal.

She later said the incident was “a taste of my weakness; it showed me that I still could not save myself in spite of all the strong-girl show. I could never forget it.” But, Madonna recovered and used the trauma to make her stronger.

Madonna and her then-boyfriend Dan Gilroy formed The Breakfast Club in which she sang and played both the drums and guitar. Check out the 2018 documentary called Madonna and the Breakfast Club. In 1981, the punk rocker formed Emmy with her new boyfriend, Stephen Bray. But then, she went solo, and her career took off!

Her solo music impressed record producer and DJ Mark Kamins, so he arranged a meeting between Madonna and Seymour Stein, founder of Sire Records. And that’s how the ’80s began. By the decade’s end, she was a global icon and millions of fans copied her style.

Madonna’s debut single, “Everybody” came out in October 1982, followed by “Burning Up” in March 1983. Both became big club hits. While dating artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, she recorded an album, but it was a non-starter as she hated producer Reggie Lucas’ production techniques.

Madonna moved in with her next boyfriend, DJ John “Jellybean” Benitez (pictured), who remixed the tracks and created her new upbeat synthetic disco sound. The singer’s debut album, Madonna, was released in July 1983. It featured two top-ten singles — “Borderline” and “Lucky Star”.

In 1984, the newly crowned Princess of Pop released her second album, Like a Virgin. Produced by Nile Rodgers from Chic, it sold 21 million copies. Performing “Like a Virgin” at 1984’s inaugural MTV Video Music Awards, she shocked the world atop a giant wedding cake in a full white wedding dress, gloves, veil, stockings, and suspenders.

The song, video, and MTV appearance provided ammunition for Madonna’s first brush with conservative groups. She won back fans by paying homage to her idol, Marilyn Monroe, in “Material Girl”.

In 1985, Madonna appeared in comedy-drama Desperately Seeking Susan, a film that featured her first UK number-one single, “Into the Groove”. In April, she toured North America on The Virgin Tour with NYC punk-rock rappers, The Beastie Boys. But, her past was about to come back to haunt her.

In July, Playboy and Penthouse magazines published those naughty photos from the early ’80s. The same month, the Los Angeles Times reported Madonna filed a lawsuit seeking to stop the release of a blue movie she made in 1980.

Madonna started dating Sean Penn after meeting the actor on her “Material Girl” music video set. They married in Malibu on her 27th birthday in August 1985. Their relationship was passionate and tumultuous. The celebrity couple earned the nickname “Poison Penns” as they constantly argued and fought.

Sean was hugely jealous and possessive. In 1986, he attacked David Wolinski when he spotted the songwriter speaking to his wife. He was also convinced Madonna was having an affair with model English singer and Levi’s model Nick Kamen.

By 1987, Madonna had had enough, so she filed for divorce. A spokesperson said, “There was no one direct incident leading up to this; it was a series of cumulative pressures. There were many moments in their marriage when it was shaky, and Madonna was finally forced to face the reality of the situation — that they weren’t happy together.”

The couple divorced in 1989 but remained friends. At a 2016 Art Basel charity gala in Miami, she tried to extort $150,000 from Sean Penn by offering to marry him again!

In 1986, Madonna released her third studio album featuring “Papa Don’t Preach”, “Open Your Heart”, and “La Isla Bonita”. True Blue became one of the best-selling albums of all time. However, she also received her first Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress opposite Sean Penn in Shanghai Surprise.

In 1987, she acted in the slightly better Who’s That Girl. 1987’s Who’s That Girl World Tour attracted over 130,000 people to a show in Paris, breaking the world record for the highest-attended female concert of all time.

In 1989, Madonna released her fourth album, Like a Prayer — which she co-wrote with Prince. She also earned five million bucks to appear in a Pepsi-Cola commercial. But when “Like a Prayer” played on MTV, Christians and The Vatican called her a blasphemer.

In the video, Madonna kissed the statue of an African-American saint who came to life and danced in a field of burning crosses. Pepsi pulled the commercial as they feared it would ruin the brand image with Christians across the globe. Madonna kept the five million dollars.

In 1990, Madonna first wore her iconic cone bra and appeared in the brightly colored, cartoonish movie Dick Tracy. She provided the music, including the single “Hanky Panky”. She also got up to some hanky panky with co-star Warren Beatty.

While making the movie, she had a relationship with 53-year-old actor, who was famous as a lothario. The singer and actress described Beatty as an incredible lover but said she was “confident her own skills in the bedroom matched his.”

Also in 1990, Madonna released another of her most famous songs, “Vogue”. The song was about the style and grace of yesteryear. David Fincher’s video contains some great movers and poseurs, and references to Marilyn Monroe and Marlene Dietrich, while the lyrics pay homage to “Jean Harlow, Jimmy Dean… on the cover of a magazine.”

Dancers and choreographers Jose Gutierez Xtravaganza and Luis Xtravaganza from the Harlem “House Ball” community introduced Madonna to the art of “Vogueing” at New York’s Sound Factory Club.

In 1990, Madonna began her Blond Ambition World Tour. Many religious groups had a strong negative reaction, especially over an extra raunchy performance of “Like a Virgin”.

Next, Madonna released her first greatest hits album. The Immaculate Collection sold over 31 million copies and included a new song, “Justify My Love”. This became her ninth US number-one, but MTV banned the video. In May 1991, she released her first documentary, Truth or Dare: In Bed With Madonna.

In 1992, Madonna founded her own multi-media entertainment company, Maverick Records. Time Warner paid her a $60 million advance and gave her an unheard-of 20% royalties. This was equaled only by Sony’s deal with her one-time rumored boyfriend, Michael Jackson.

Under the Maverick Records banner, she released her fifth album. Erotica contained the singles “Erotica”, “Deeper and Deeper”, and “Bad Girl” — all of which is appropriate as the maverick bad girl was about to land herself deeper and deeper into hot water yet again!

The Erotica album was a co-release with Madonna’s first book publication. The coffee table book contained explicit photographs of the singer posing au naturel. It sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide but showed a dark underside of the Hollywood Dream.

Later in 1992, she starred in the baseball movie A League of Their Own. A year later, during The Girlie Show World Tour, she dressed provocatively and ultimately offended Puerto Ricans by doing lewd things with their flag on stage.

Within a decade, Madonna had gone from It Girl to risque agent provocateur. Lucy O’Brien, author of Madonna: Like an Icon, wrote about the singer’s fall from grace in the 1990s.

O’Brien wrote, “The perfect iconic goddess of True Blue had all gone. In the same way that sixties beauties like Nico, Marianne Faithfull, and Brigitte Bardot set about destroying their beauty after they were famous, the very thing they felt limited them, Madonna annihilated hers.” Her career was on the rocks.

In addition to her new persona and skimpy costumes, Madonna dated a big bunch of bad boys. In the 1990s, Madonna had relationships with bad-boy basketball player Dennis Rodman and rappers Tupac Shakur and Vanilla Ice. Tupac dumped her by letter when he was in jail!

She also dated rockstar Lenny Kravitz and magician David Blaine. More recently, she dated New York Yankees baseball player Alex Rodriguez, choreographer Brahim Zaibat, personal trainer Timor Steffens, Ahlamalik Williams, and model Andrew Darnell —who’s 41 years her junior!

In 1994, when dating Denis Rodman, she released her sixth album, Bedtime Stories. During an appearance on Late Night With David Letterman, Madonna launched into a 20-minute expletive-filled rant about her bedroom antics.

The Federal Complaints Commission (FCC) received a record number of complaints. Madonna was spiraling out of control and out to shock for shock’s sake. Everyone was seemingly out to get her. Something needed to change. In short, Madonna needed a miracle!

In 1996, when Madonna was in danger of going off the rails, she and fitness instructor Carlos Leon had a daughter together. They named her Lourdes “Lola” Maria Ciccone Leon after the site of the 1858 Marian Apparitions. The baby was the miracle Madonna needed.

Then, another minor miracle occurred. After winning a Golden Raspberry for Shanghai Surprise, Madge won the Best Actress Golden Globe for playing Argentine heroine Eva Perón in the movie Evita (1996).

Next, denim-clad Madonna hooked up with English producer William Orbit for her seventh album. The electronic dance album Ray of Light (1998) was a massive departure from her previous work, featuring ambient, trip-hop, Middle Eastern music, and mystical themes. Her new lease of life came from studying Eastern mysticism and practicing daily Ashtanga yoga.

By combining Orbit’s beats and Madonna’s mysticism with a stunning, globetrotting time-lapse video for the album’s title track, this 1980s pop diva had reinvented herself as an electronic disco diva for a new millennium.

In 1999, Sting and his wife Trudie Styler introduced Madonna to English film director Guy Ritchie. On August 11th, 2000, she gave birth to their son, Rocco Ritchie. They tied the knot at an idyllic castle in Scotland in December 2000.

They cosplayed as Lord and Lady English manorhouse Ashcombe House in Wiltshire for the next decade, riding horses and dressing in tweed. In 2002, she starred in his movie Swept Away, which some say is the worst movie ever made. It won five Razzies.

They might have had a fairy tale wedding, but Madonna said the marriage was like being in prison. She told The Irish Sun, “There were many times when I wanted to express myself as an artist in ways that I don’t think he felt comfortable with […] There were times when I felt incarcerated. I wasn’t really allowed to be myself.”

According to J. Randy Taraborrelli’s book Madonna, An Intimate Biography of an Icon at Sixty, Guy couldn’t talk with friends and family for fear it would end up in the tabloids.

Desperately unhappy, Madge filed for divorce from Guy in the fall of 2008. The ensuing divorce turned ugly since they didn’t have a prenup agreement, and Madonna lost custody of Rocco. Madonna paid Ritchie $75 million in their divorce settlement, which saw Guy taking it all.

Ritchie was awarded their Wiltshire country estate and 18th Century Mayfair pub, The Punchbowl. The traumatic divorce took a financial and emotional toll, but now Madonna was free to express herself again.

For her eighth studio album, Madonna reinvented herself yet again. A collaboration with William Orbit and French music producer Mirwais Ahmadzaï, Music (2001) blended Ray of Light‘s dance-pop and electronica with good ‘ole fashioned rock, country, and folk.

The title track saw the Queen of Pop wearing a white fur coat and riding like a gangsta in a white limousine with Ali G. The single “Don’t Tell Me” featured her wearing a plaid shirt, walking desert highways, and line-dancing with cowboys. The album sold over 11 million copies worldwide.

After taking a few years out of the limelight to raise Rocco, Madonna came back with a bang in 2005 when she released Confessions on a Dance Floor. The album’s biggest single, “Hung Up” brilliantly incorporated a sample from ABBA’s 1979 hit “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)”.

It was the only time Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus allowed another artist to sample their work. The 47-year-old whirled around the dance floor clad in a pink leotard like a lithe 18-year-old.

Between 2006 and 2017, Madonna adopted four children from Malawi. Their names are David, Mercy, and twins Stelle and Estere. But – since this is Madonna – controversy was close behind! By 2006, Madonna had founded a charitable organization Raising Malawi, and funded an orphanage in Malawi.

While touring the south-East African country in October of that year, she decided to adopt David Banda. But, there was a public outcry as Madonna circumvented Malawian law stating that adopters must reside in the country for a year.

Madonna donates a lot of her money to Raising Malawi, and she’s raised tons to help orphans in the African country. The singer also funded The Mercy James Institute for Pediatric Surgery and Intensive Care in Blantyre, Malawi.

She was one of the first artists to raise money and awareness for serious immune diseases and founded The Ray of Light Foundation, which supports girls’ education in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

In 2010, Madonna released her Material Girl clothing label, which she designed with her beloved daughter, Lourdes. The 1980s-inspired designs were borrowed from her punk-girl style during the decade she rose to fame.

Madonna’s net worth is estimated to be $850 million. About one-fifth of her fortune is invested in property. At one point, she owned six houses in London. Between 2017 and 2019, she lived in a historic, Moorish-style palace called Quinta do Relógio near Lisbon, Portugal. Now, she lives in a $33 million New York mansion.

In the last decade or so, Madonna performed at 2012’s Super Bowl XLVI halftime show. Her last three albums — MDNA (2012), Rebel Heart (2015), and Madame X (2019) — haven’t reached her own high standards, but she still rocks.

In late 2020, the singer underwent hip replacement surgery after sustaining an injury on her Madame X tour. She said, “I was in more pain than I’ve ever been in in my life. I’m a bionic woman – I had hip replacement surgery. And that’s not the only surgery she had…

Madonna hit the headlines when she appeared at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2023. Almost unrecognizable, the 64-year-old singer looked strange, with puffed cheeks. Madonna said her unusual look was due to long-lens photographs that distorted her face, saying she was “caught in the glare of ageism and misogyny that permeates the world.”

A few weeks later, though, she admitted to her 2.8 million Twitter followers that she had had surgery but looked much cuter now that the swelling had subsided.

In her 40th year as a pop sensation, Madonna planned to bring her music to millions of fans across the world with her Celebration Tour. The 35-city tour was scheduled to kick off in July, but on June 24th, 2023, tragedy struck when Madonna developed a serious bacterial infection that landed her in the ICU. According to reports, we nearly lost her.

She’s expected to make a full recovery. She said she’s concentrating on her health and described her children’s love as “the best medicine.” The Celebration Tour is expected to kick off in London in October.

While Madonna has slowed down, she will always be the Queen of Pop. She has sold over 300 million records, changed music forever, and spread music, joy, inspiration, and dance to men and women around the world for five decades. As Her Madgesty said herself, “Music makes the people come together.”

What does the future hold for Madonna? Well, there are rumors that the lady herself will direct Ozark’s Julia Garner portraying the iconic singer in a biopic.