Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone, the third of eight children in a large traditional Italian family, was named after her mother who passed away from breast cancer when Madonna was only six years old. Sylvio Ciccone raised his children not only with a solid Catholic background, but with a disciplined work ethic as well.

In high school Madonna was a cheerleader and straight-A student. She fell in love with dance and sometimes spent up to five hours a day taking dance classes and working out. Upon graduation she won a dance scholarship to the University Of Michigan. Finding the academic atmosphere stifling, after a year of college Madonna set off for New York City in 1977 with just $35 and her suitcase of leotards and toe shoes. Before long she had earned a spot with the Alvin Ailey Dance Troupe and, for a while, worked as the assistant to modern dance choreographer, Pearl Lange. After struggling for several years in the dance world she began to broaden her artistic horizons. She turned her energies to music, and the rest, as you know, is a historical and legendary work in progress...