Over the course of six decades, Madonna has had everything from controversies to high profile marriages, adoptions and epic stage falls.
But she’s collected more Grammy’s, MTV VMAs, Brit Awards and number ones than she has cone bras and shock onstage kisses.
She’s stunned the world with bum-baring outfits, crucifixions and thrusting on stage in a wedding dress – as well as with controversial lyrics including “Like a virgin . . . touched for the very first time” and “I’m down on my knees, I wanna take you there.”
But aside from the headline hitting moments, she’s been fearless in the face of a male-dominated industry, paving the way for younger female stars to express themselves.
She’s worked tirelessly with AIDS charities and spoken fiercely against the discrimination of gay people, calling on fans to support same-sex marriage in New York before the Marriage Equality Act was passed in 2011. She also founded her own charity, Raising Malawi, with Michael Berg to help orphans enduring extreme poverty and hardship in the African country.
So, while the legendary singer recovers in hospital after suffering from a serious bacterial infection, we’ve rounded up ten of her biggest moments. Get better soon, Madge.
Performing Like A Virgin at the 1984 MTV VMAs
Madonna performed at the first ever MTV VMAs and made sure it would be a gig to remember. She hit the headlines after writhing around on the stage in a white deconstructed bridal gown, leaving people “gasping” after she started gyrating on her veil.
Falling off the stage at the Brit Awards in 2015
Madonna left everyone with their jaws on the floor after she was yanked down a flight of stairs on stage at the O2 by a backing dancer who tugged too tightly on her cape. But, like a true queen she jumped up and carried on, telling worried fans: “Nothing can stop me and love really lifted me up.”
But she later described the accident as “a horrible nightmare” which left her with “a little whiplash”. Speaking on The Jonathan Ross Show she said: “My two lovely dancers basically strangled me off the stage. I had two choices, I could either be strangled or fall, and I chose to fall."
Kissing Britney at the 2003 MTV VMAs
Madonna proved she is the Queen of Pop after she took to the stage with pop princesses Britney and Christina Aguilera at the MTV VMAs to sing Like A Virgin together. On wrapping up the song she kissed them individually on the lips leaving the audience – and Spears’ then-boyfriend Justin Timberlake – in a state of shock.
Baring her bum at the 2015 Grammy Awards
Madonna was scheduled to perform at the annual event at the STAPLES Centre – but that wasn’t enough for the singer. She wanted to stand out, and did so by baring her bare bum on the red carpet in a glitzy bullfighter-inspired Givenchy bodysuit. The eye-popping design was fitted with an elasticated strip which pushed her cheeks up and out for the cameras.
Kissing Drake at Coachella in 2015
Madonna was compared to Alien and a Dementor from Harry Potter after she sat Drake down, pulled back his head and went in for a kiss before declaring “I’m Madonna” and strutting off of the stage. The crowds at Coachella were equally as stunned as Drake, who wiped his mouth before telling festival goers: "Holy s***, what the f*** just happened." He later clarified he wasn’t grossed out by the kiss, but her lipstick. “Don’t misinterpret my shock!! I got to make out with the queen Madonna and I feel 100 about that forever. Thank you @madonna” said Drake on Instagram later.
Playing Eva in Evita in 1996
Madonna took on Eva Perón in the 1996 musical Evita alongside Jonathan Pryce as her husband Juan Perón after writing a four page letter to Parker explaining why she was the best person for the role. She was famed for singing the film’s famous song Don’t Cry For Me Argentina and was praised by critics for the role which earned her a Best Actress Golden Globe nomination.
Wearing THAT iconic cone bra in 1990
Madonna may be the Queen of Pop, but she’s also the queen of fashion statements from her love of fish nets to racy lingerie and religious accessories. But arguably her most famous – and controversial – outfit was Jean Paul Gaultier’s custom cone-shaped bra which she wore on her Blonde Ambition world tour in 1990. Despite shocking with the corseted number she returned to the iconic look on her MDNA Tour in 2012.
Swearing and smoking on Letterman in 1994
Madonna didn't care where she was or who she was talking to when she treated an appearance on Letterman like a night in at home. She puffed on a cigar and said f*** 14 times. And if that wasn't enough to shock David Letterman, asking if he wanted to smell her underwear sure did. Her refusal to leave the set, language and use of double entendres proved controversial - but it also gave Letterman some of his best ratings.
The Super Bowl XLVI halftime show (2012)
Madonna was the first solo female singer to headline the biggest event in the US sporting calendar since Diana Ross 16 years earlier – and, of course, she rose to the occasion. Performing Vogue, Music, Give Me All Your Luvin’ (featuring M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj), Open Your Heart“ / “Express Yourself and Like a Prayer, Madonna stormed the stage, dancing and cheerleading. Critics loved it: “It’s Madonna Louise Ciccone’s world, we’re just living in it” said Billboard. There was one controversial moment when M.I.A. flipped a finger (NFL launched a lawsuit against her later for the act) but despite all the on-stage madness (think cheerleaders, flashing lights, gold headdresses) all eyes were still on Madge.
Madonna’s Sex Book (1992)
Leaning into some of her favourite themes, Madonna released an erotic coffee table book called Sex in 1992. A collaboration with fashion photographer Stevel Meisel and French art director Fabien Baron, the book included images of simulated sex acts and images that were essentially softcore pornography.
Featuring Isabella Rossellini, Naomi Campbell, rappers Big Daddy Kane and Vanilla Ice and Princess Tatiana von Fürstenberg, the book touched on desire, sex during the AIDS, interracial relationships and kinks, while being brazenly titillating. It went to number one on both The Washington Post and The New York Times Best Seller list, and reportedly sold a whopping 1.5 million copies worldwide.
