Editing Madonna

[[File:Madonna.jpg|300px|thumbnail|left| Madonna]] 
Madonna Louise Ciccone was born on the August 16th 1958. She is an American singer, songwriter, actress and businesswoman. She has been at the forefront of the music industry for a number of decades and has been cited as an influence for a number of other artists across the globe. Madonna moved to New York City to pursue a career in modern dance, and after performing in the music groups Breakfast Club she signed with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sire_Records Sire Records] in 1982 and released her debut album the next year. She founded her own entertainment company [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maverick_%28company%29 Maverick], including the label Maverick Records, in 1992 with Time Warner. In 2007 she signed a deal worth $120 million with [http://www.livenation.com/ Live Nation]. She has sold 300 million records worldwide and is the best-selling female recording artist of all time according to [http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/ Guinness World Records]. 

== Engagement in Cultural Diplomacy ==
Madonna has incorporated numerous different cultural influences and styles into her music. Her initial music videos mirrored her American and Hispanic style and she incorporated the imagery of Hispanic and Catholic symbolism into her music. Her multiculturalism endeared her to a large and varied audience. She has used controversial imagery in her videos and music and has drawn condemnation from religious and social organisations. 
=== Humanitarian Causes ===
She gained global recognition in her work against the extreme poverty and hardship endured by the 2million orphans in Malawi. In 2006 Madonna and Michael Berg jointly founded the [http://www.raisingmalawi.org/ raising Malawi], non- profit organisation which supports community based organisations providing vulnerable children and caregivers with education, medicine, emotional and psychometric care. In December 2012 the organisation had built ten schools to educate 4871 children throughout Malawi. 
=== Philanthropic Donations ===
In the business sector, community and academic levels, Madonna matches dollar for dollar everything donated to Raising Malawi. She actively donates to many causes and is a patron of [http://www.childrenofpeace.org.uk/index.html Children of Peace]. 
=== Notable Actions ===
She was one of the five founding members of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_Music_Hall_of_Fame UK Music Hall of Fame] and was introduced into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 


== External Links ==
[https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/madonna Humanitarian Causes]
[[Category: Famous Personalities in Art, Music & Sports]]