Editing Madonna (section)

== Life and career ==
=== 1958–1978: Early life ===
Madonna Louise Ciccone{{sfn|Leonard|D'Acierno|1998|p=492}} was born in [[Bay City, Michigan]], on August 16, 1958, to Roman Catholic parents Madonna Louise (née Fortin) and Silvio Anthony "Tony" Ciccone.<ref name="mom">{{harvnb|Taraborrelli|2002|pp=11–13}}</ref><ref name=allmusicbio>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/madonna-mn0000237205/biography|title=Madonna Biography|first=Stephen Thomas|last=Erlewine|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=April 13, 2015|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|archive-date=January 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124145233/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/madonna-mn0000237205/biography|url-status=live}}</ref> Her father's parents were Italian emigrants from [[Pacentro]] while her mother was of [[French-Canadian]] descent.{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2002|p=10}} Tony Ciccone worked as an optics engineer for [[Chrysler#Chrysler Defense|Chrysler Defense]] and its successor, [[General Dynamics Land Systems]], on military projects. Since Madonna had the same name as her mother, family members called her "Little Nonnie".<ref>{{harvnb|Cross|2007|p=2}}</ref> Her mother died of breast cancer on December 1, 1963, when Madonna was five years old. Madonna grew up in the Detroit suburbs of [[Pontiac, Michigan|Pontiac]] and Avon Township (now [[Rochester Hills, Michigan|Rochester Hills]]), alongside her two older brothers—Anthony (1956–2023) and Martin (born 1957)—and three younger siblings—Paula (born 1959), [[Christopher Ciccone|Christopher]] (1960–2024), and Melanie (born 1962).<ref name="thechild">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1400097/The-child-who-became-a-star.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1400097/The-child-who-became-a-star.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=The Child Who Became a Star: Madonna Timeline|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=July 26, 2006|access-date=June 9, 2008}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Madonna adopted Veronica as a [[Confirmation#Confirmation name|confirmation name]] upon receiving the [[Confirmation in the Catholic Church|sacrament]] in the Catholic Church in 1966.<ref name=":4">{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/news/madonna-albums-songs-celebration-tour-queen-of-pop-legacy-40th-anniversary|title=Songbook: How Madonna Became The Queen Of Pop & Reinvention, From Her 'Boy Toy' Era To The Celebration Tour|date=July 27, 2023|access-date=October 17, 2024|archive-date=August 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801154718/https://www.grammy.com/news/madonna-albums-songs-celebration-tour-queen-of-pop-legacy-40th-anniversary|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Madonna family in their vineyard cropped.jpg|thumb|upright|From left: Madonna's stepmother Joan, and Madonna's father, Tony Ciccone]]
Tony married the family's housekeeper, Joan Gustafson, that same year. They were married for 58 years until Joan's death in 2024, and had three children: Joey (who died shortly after his 1967 birth from a heart defect), Jennifer (born 1968), and Mario (born 1969).<ref name="thechild" /><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://people.com/madonna-stepmother-joan-ciccone-dies-at-81-of-cancer-8719328|title=Madonna's Stepmom Joan Ciccone Dies at 81 of 'Very Aggressive Cancer'|first=Rachel|last=DeSantis|magazine=People|date=September 26, 2024|accessdate=October 6, 2024}}</ref>

Madonna attended St. Frederick's and St. Andrew's Catholic Elementary Schools, and West Middle School. She was known for her high [[grade point average]] (GPA) and achieved notoriety for her unconventional behavior. Madonna would perform [[cartwheel (gymnastics)|cartwheels]] and handstands in the hallways between classes, dangle by her knees from the [[jungle gym|monkey bars]] during recess, and pull up her skirt during class—all so that the boys could see her underwear.<ref name="tarabio">{{harvnb|Taraborrelli|2002|p=23}}</ref> She later admitted to seeing herself in her youth as a "lonely girl who was searching for something. I wasn't rebellious in a certain way. I cared about being good at something. I didn't shave my underarms or legs, and I didn't wear make-up like normal girls do. But I studied and I got good grades... I wanted to be somebody."<ref name="mom" />

Madonna's father put her in classical piano lessons, but she later convinced him to allow her to take ballet lessons.{{Sfn|Cross|2007|p=10}} Christopher Flynn, her ballet teacher, persuaded her to pursue a career in dance.<ref>{{harvnb|Taraborrelli|2002|pp=26–29}}</ref> Madonna later attended [[Rochester Adams High School]] and became a straight-A student as well as a member of its cheerleading squad.<ref>{{harvnb|Claro|1994|pp=24, 27}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Cross|2007|p=9}}</ref> After graduating in January 1976, she received a dance scholarship to the [[University of Michigan]] and studied over the summer at the [[American Dance Festival]] in [[Durham, North Carolina]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Tilden|first=Imogen|title=Madonna|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=July 4, 2001|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2001/jul/04/netnotes.imogentilden|access-date=May 29, 2008|archive-date=October 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017093721/https://www.theguardian.com/news/2001/jul/04/netnotes.imogentilden|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name= charlotteobserver />

In 1978, Madonna dropped out of college and relocated to New York City.<ref>{{cite episode|title=A Star with Staying Power|url=https://edition.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/people/shows/madonna/profile.html|year=2004|access-date=April 22, 2015|series=People in the News|network=[[CNN]]|credits=Hosted by Paula Zahn|archive-date=December 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220123911/http://edition.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/people/shows/madonna/profile.html|url-status=live}}</ref> She said of her move to New York, "It was the first time I'd ever taken a plane, the first time I'd ever gotten a taxi cab. I came here with $35 in my pocket. It was the bravest thing I'd ever done."<ref>{{harvnb|Rettenmund|1995|p=45}}</ref> Madonna soon found an apartment in the [[Alphabet City, Manhattan|Alphabet City]] neighborhood of the [[East Village, Manhattan|East Village]]<ref>{{Harvnb|Taraborrelli|2002|p=37}}</ref> and had little money while working as a hatcheck girl for the [[Russian Tea Room]], an elevator operator at [[Terrace on the Park]], and with [[modern dance]] troupes. She took classes at the [[Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater]], eventually performing with [[Pearl Lang]] Dance Theater.<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine|last=Anderson|first=Christopher|date=October 14, 1991|title=Madonna Rising|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EkNwz83JvvkC&q=dan+gilroy+madonna+synagogue+i&pg=PA44|magazine=New York|pages=40–51|access-date=May 15, 2021|archive-date=July 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727072342/https://books.google.com/books?id=EkNwz83JvvkC&q=dan+gilroy+madonna+synagogue+i&pg=PA44|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name= charlotteobserver>{{cite news|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/music-news-reviews/article23418204.html|title=Madonna before she was Madonna – dancing at American Dance Festival|newspaper=[[The Charlotte Observer]]|access-date=December 14, 2015|date=June 7, 2015|last=Menconi|first=David|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053426/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/music-news-reviews/article23418204.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode|title=Madonna: Queen of Pop|series=Biography|network=[[History (U.S. TV channel)|The History Channel]]|minutes=5|credits=Hosted by Jim Wallasky}}</ref> She also studied dance under the tutelage of the noted American dancer and choreographer [[Martha Graham]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2019/04/everything-we-know-about-madonnas-new-album-madame-x.html|title=Everything We Know About Madonna's New Album ''Madame X''|last=Polk|first=Milan|website=Vulture|date=April 22, 2019|access-date=May 21, 2019|archive-date=April 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422231216/https://www.vulture.com/2019/04/everything-we-know-about-madonnas-new-album-madame-x.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Madonna started to work as a backup dancer for other established artists. One night, while returning from a rehearsal, a pair of men held her at knifepoint and forced her to perform [[fellatio]]. She later found the incident to be "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."<ref>{{harvnb|O'Brien|2007|p=56}}</ref>

=== 1979–1983: Career beginnings, rock bands, and ''Madonna'' ===
In 1979, Madonna became romantically involved with musician [[Dan Gilroy (musician)|Dan Gilroy]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite magazine|last=Connelly|first=Christopher|date=November 22, 1984|title=Madonna Goes All the Way|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/madonna-goes-all-the-way-203328/|access-date=April 27, 2021|magazine=Rolling Stone|archive-date=April 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410131720/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/madonna-goes-all-the-way-203328/|url-status=live}}</ref> Shortly after meeting him, she successfully auditioned to perform in Paris with French disco artist [[Patrick Hernandez]] as his backup singer and dancer.<ref name=":0" /> During her three months with Hernandez's troupe, she also traveled to Tunisia before returning to New York in August 1979.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{harvnb|Bego|2000|p=52}}</ref> Madonna moved into an abandoned synagogue where Gilroy lived and rehearsed in [[Corona, Queens]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name="tarabio" /> Together they formed her first band, the [[Breakfast Club (band)|Breakfast Club]], for which Madonna sang and played drums and guitar.{{Sfn|Morton|2001|p=47}} While with the band, Madonna briefly worked as a hat-check girl at the Russian Tea Room, and she made her acting debut in the low-budget indie film ''[[A Certain Sacrifice]]'', which was not released until 1985.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Palmer|first=Landon|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jPUTEAAAQBAJ&q=madonna+auditioned+fame+1982&pg=PA184|title=Rock Star/Movie Star: Power and Performance in Cinematic Rock Stardom|date=June 30, 2020|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-088842-8|pages=184|access-date=May 15, 2021|archive-date=June 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607160814/https://books.google.com/books?id=jPUTEAAAQBAJ&q=madonna+auditioned+fame+1982&pg=PA184#v=snippet&q=madonna%20auditioned%20fame%201982&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Bessman|first=Jim|date=August 3, 1985|title=Madonna's 'Sacrifice' Hits Home Market|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uSQEAAAAMBAJ&q=madonna+a+certain+sacrifice&pg=PT29|magazine=Billboard|pages=30|access-date=May 15, 2021|archive-date=June 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607160924/https://books.google.com/books?id=uSQEAAAAMBAJ&q=madonna+a+certain+sacrifice&pg=PT29#v=snippet&q=madonna%20a%20certain%20sacrifice&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1980, Madonna left the Breakfast Club with drummer [[Stephen Bray]], who was her boyfriend in Michigan, and they formed the band Emmy and the Emmys.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Graff|first=Gary|date=April 25, 1987|title=Bray's Loyalty To Madonna Pays Off|work=Chicago Tribune|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-04-25-8701310985-story.html|access-date=April 27, 2021|archive-date=June 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603075715/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-04-25-8701310985-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> They rekindled their romance and moved into [[the Music Building]] in Manhattan.<ref name=":0" /> The two began writing songs together and they recorded a four-song demo tape in November 1980, but soon after, Madonna decided to promote herself as a solo artiste.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Runtagh|first=Jordan|date=September 7, 2019|title=30 Fascinating Early Bands of Future Music Legends|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/30-fascinating-early-bands-of-future-music-legends-200891/|access-date=April 27, 2021|magazine=Rolling Stone|archive-date=April 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427121338/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/30-fascinating-early-bands-of-future-music-legends-200891/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

In March 1981, Camille Barbone, who ran Gotham Records in the Music Building, signed Madonna to a contract with Gotham and worked as her manager until February 1982.{{Sfn|Morton|2001|p=94}}{{Sfn|Morton|2001|p=105}}<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cihak|first=Lennon|date=April 27, 2020|title=Madonna's former manager Camille Barbone on filtering out bullsh*t|url=https://lennoncihak.com/podcast/camille-barbone|access-date=April 28, 2021|website=Lennon Cihak|archive-date=May 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513114920/https://lennoncihak.com/podcast/camille-barbone|url-status=live}}</ref> Madonna frequented nightclubs to get disc jockeys to play her demo.{{Sfn|Cross|2007|p=25}} DJ [[Mark Kamins]] at [[Danceteria]] took an interest in her music and they began dating.<ref>{{Cite web|date=February 16, 2013|title=Mark Kamins Dead: DJ-Producer Who Dated And Discovered Madonna Dies At 57|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mark-kamins-dead-dj-producer-madonna_n_2702502|access-date=August 4, 2021|website=HuffPost|archive-date=August 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804122121/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mark-kamins-dead-dj-producer-madonna_n_2702502|url-status=live}}</ref> Kamins arranged a meeting with Madonna and [[Seymour Stein]], the president of [[Sire Records]], a subsidiary of [[Warner Records|Warner Bros. Records]].{{Sfn|Cross|2007|p=25}} Madonna signed a deal for a total of three singles, with an option for an album.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=June 14, 2018|title=How I Met Madonna, by Seymour Stein, the Man Who Signed Her|url=https://variety.com/2018/biz/news/how-i-met-madonna-by-seymour-stein-the-man-who-signed-her-book-excerpt-1202846755/|access-date=August 4, 2021|magazine=Variety|archive-date=June 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608072508/https://variety.com/2018/biz/news/how-i-met-madonna-by-seymour-stein-the-man-who-signed-her-book-excerpt-1202846755/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Kamins produced her debut single, "[[Everybody (Madonna song)|Everybody]]", which was released in October 1982.{{Sfn|Cross|2007|p=25}} In December 1982, Madonna performed the song live for the first time at Danceteria.{{Sfn|Morton|2001|p=211}}<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Bickford|first=Malina|date=September 8, 2014|title="It Was a Beautiful Thing:" Danceteria and the Birth of Madonna|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/it-was-a-beautiful-thing-danceteria-and-the-birth-of-madonna/|access-date=April 27, 2021|magazine=Vice|archive-date=June 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608072507/https://www.vice.com/en/article/vvjawa/it-was-a-beautiful-thing-danceteria-and-the-birth-of-madonna|url-status=live}}</ref> She made her first television appearance performing "Everybody" on ''[[Dancin' On Air]]'' in January 1983, although it had actually been filmed a month prior.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Fiorillo|first=Victor|date=April 10, 2016|title=Facebook Flame Wars, Legal Action, and "Death Threats": Dancin' on Air's Family Feud Boils Over|url=https://www.phillymag.com/news/2016/04/10/dancin-on-air-dance-party-usa/|magazine=[[Philadelphia (magazine)|Philadelphia]]|access-date=April 27, 2021|archive-date=April 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427061900/https://www.phillymag.com/news/2016/04/10/dancin-on-air-dance-party-usa/|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 1983, she promoted the single with nightclub performances in the United Kingdom.{{Sfn|Morton|2001|p=118}} Her second single, the double A-side "[[Burning Up (Madonna song)|Burning Up]]" / "[[Physical Attraction (song)|Physical Attraction]]", was released in March 1983. Both this single and "Everybody" reached number three on ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' magazine's [[Hot Dance Club Songs]] chart.<ref>{{cite news|title=Madonna, Beastie Boys Nominated For Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame|publisher=[[MTV News]]|date=September 23, 2007|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1570747/20070927/beastie_boys.jhtml|access-date=May 29, 2008|last=Orzeck|first=Kurt|archive-date=May 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503045056/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1570747/20070927/beastie_boys.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> "Burning Up" / "Physical Attraction" also charted at number 13 in Australia.<ref name=kent>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=188}}</ref> During this period, Madonna was in a relationship with artist [[Jean-Michel Basquiat]] and living at his loft in [[SoHo, Manhattan|SoHo]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Fretz|first=Eric|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XDsYOhjGVDIC&q=basquiat+madonna+crosby&pg=PA105|title=Jean-Michel Basquiat: A Biography|date=2010|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-0-313-38056-3|pages=105|access-date=May 15, 2021|archive-date=June 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607160849/https://books.google.com/books?id=XDsYOhjGVDIC&q=basquiat+madonna+crosby&pg=PA105|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Aniftos|first=Rania|date=December 6, 2018|title=Madonna Posts Throwback Photo With Ex-Boyfriend Jean-Michel Basquiat|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8489113/madonna-throwback-photo-jean-michel-basquiat|access-date=August 5, 2020|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-date=August 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815172710/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8489113/madonna-throwback-photo-jean-michel-basquiat|url-status=live}}</ref> Basquiat introduced her to art curator [[Diego Cortez]], who had managed some [[Punk rock|punk]] bands and co-founded the [[Mudd Club]].<ref name=":2" /> Madonna invited Cortez to be her manager, but he declined.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|date=July 14, 2021|title=Diego Cortez obituary|url=http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2021/jul/14/diego-cortez-obituary|access-date=August 3, 2021|newspaper=The Guardian|archive-date=July 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725112617/https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2021/jul/14/diego-cortez-obituary|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the success of the singles, Warner hired [[Reggie Lucas]] to produce her debut album, ''[[Madonna (album)|Madonna]]''.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Howe|first=Sean|date=July 29, 2013|title=How Madonna Became Madonna: An Oral History|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/feature/how-madonna-became-madonna-an-oral-history-94288/|access-date=April 27, 2021|magazine=Rolling Stone|archive-date=September 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923074053/https://www.rollingstone.com/feature/how-madonna-became-madonna-an-oral-history-94288/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, Madonna was dissatisfied with the completed tracks and disagreed with Lucas' production techniques, so she decided to seek additional help.<ref name="tara1">{{harvnb|Taraborrelli|2002|p=43}}</ref> She asked [[John Benitez|John "Jellybean" Benitez]], the [[resident DJ]] at Fun House, to help finish the album's production and a romance ensued.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jellybean Benitez Remembers NYC Clubs of Yesteryear|url=https://daily.redbullmusicacademy.com/2016/05/jellybean-benitez-remembers-nyc-clubs-of-yesteryear|access-date=August 3, 2021|website=Redbull Music Academy|archive-date=May 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518092340/http://daily.redbullmusicacademy.com/2016/05/jellybean-benitez-remembers-nyc-clubs-of-yesteryear|url-status=live}}</ref> Benitez remixed most of the tracks and produced "[[Holiday (Madonna song)|Holiday]]", which was her first international top-ten song. The album was released in July 1983, and peaked at number eight on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]. It yielded two top-ten singles on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], "[[Borderline (Madonna song)|Borderline]]" and "[[Lucky Star (Madonna song)|Lucky Star]]".<ref name="ach" /> In late 1983, Madonna's new manager, [[Freddy DeMann]], secured a meeting for her with film producer [[Jon Peters]], who asked her to play the part of a club singer in the romantic drama ''[[Vision Quest (film)|Vision Quest]]''.{{Sfn|Morton|2001|p=121}}

=== 1984–1987: ''Like a Virgin'', first marriage, ''True Blue'', and ''Who's That Girl'' ===
[[File:Madonna - Tampa Bay Times (1985).jpg|thumb|left|upright|Madonna performing in 1985 during [[the Virgin Tour]]]]
In January 1984, Madonna gained more exposure by performing on ''[[American Bandstand]]'' and ''[[Top of the Pops]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Myers|first=Justin|date=February 7, 2014|title=Official Charts Flashback: 30 years of Holiday, Madonna's first Top 10 hit|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/official-charts-flashback-30-years-since-madonna-s-first-top-10-hit__4712/|access-date=April 27, 2021|publisher=Official Charts Company|archive-date=April 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427120705/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/official-charts-flashback-30-years-since-madonna-s-first-top-10-hit__4712/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Archive-John-Mitchell|date=April 19, 2012|title=Dick Clark, Thank You For Introducing Madonna to The World|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1683483/dick-clark-madonna/|access-date=April 27, 2021|publisher=MTV News|archive-date=April 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427120705/http://www.mtv.com/news/1683483/dick-clark-madonna/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="TOTP_26Jan1984">{{cite web |title=First Appearance on Top of the Pops |url=https://totparchive.co.uk/episode.php?id=1036 |website=Top of The Pops Archive |access-date=September 5, 2023 |archive-date=September 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905111816/https://totparchive.co.uk/episode.php?id=1036 |url-status=live }}</ref> Her image, performances and music videos influenced many young girls and women.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=February 27, 2013|title=90 Years, 140 TIME Cover Stars: The Celebs Who Defined a Century of Entertainment|magazine=Time|url=https://entertainment.time.com/2013/02/27/time-cover-celebrity-showbiz/slide/madonna/|access-date=April 27, 2021|issn=0040-781X|archive-date=April 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427221119/https://entertainment.time.com/2013/02/27/time-cover-celebrity-showbiz/slide/madonna/|url-status=live}}</ref> Madonna's style became one of the female [[1980s in fashion|fashion trends of the 1980s]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Barr|first=Sabrina|date=August 16, 2020|title=How Madonna has shaped modern fashion trends over the last four decades|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/madonna-birthday-material-girl-fashion-influencer-style-80s-a8490701.html|access-date=April 27, 2021|newspaper=The Independent|archive-date=August 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821093311/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/madonna-birthday-material-girl-fashion-influencer-style-80s-a8490701.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Created by stylist and jewelry designer [[Maripol]], the look consisted of lace tops, skirts over [[capri pants]], [[fishnet]] stockings, jewelry bearing the [[crucifix]], bracelets and bleached hair.<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 26, 2018|title=Dress you up: Meet Maripol, the woman behind Madonna's early, iconic look|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/dress-meet-maripol-woman-behind-madonnas-early-iconic-look-015528814.html|access-date=April 27, 2021|publisher=Yahoo!|archive-date=April 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427221120/https://www.yahoo.com/news/dress-meet-maripol-woman-behind-madonnas-early-iconic-look-015528814.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Clerk|2002|p=20}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Voller|1999|p=22}}</ref> Madonna's popularity continued to rise globally with the release of her second studio album, ''[[Like a Virgin (album)|Like a Virgin]]'', in November 1984. It became her first number-one album in Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, the UK and the US.<ref name="bbalbums">{{cite web|title=Madonna – Charts & Awards – Billboard Albums|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/madonna-p64565/charts-awards/billboard-albums|access-date=February 24, 2010|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|archive-date=June 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607160850/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/madonna-mn0000237205|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Rettenmund|1995|p=67}}</ref> ''Like a Virgin'' became the first album by a female to sell over five million copies in the US.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Grein|first=Paul|date=August 10, 1985|title=Hot Madonna: July Fills Her Coffers With RIAA Metal|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|volume=97|issue=32|page=7|issn=0006-2510|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6iQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA7|access-date=September 27, 2016|archive-date=June 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607160731/https://books.google.com/books?id=6iQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA7#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> It was later [[RIAA certification|certified diamond]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA), and has sold over 21&nbsp;million copies worldwide.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-08-15/contrasting-fortunes-as-madonna-jacko-turn-50/477174|title=Contrasting fortunes as Madonna and Jacko turn 50|date=August 15, 2008|publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|access-date=August 24, 2009|archive-date=October 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022170704/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-08-15/contrasting-fortunes-as-madonna-jacko-turn-50/477174|url-status=live}}</ref>

The album's [[Like a Virgin (song)|title track]] served as its first single, and topped the Hot 100 chart for six consecutive weeks.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Ask Billboard: A Lot To 'Like' About Far*East Movement|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/952823/ask-billboard-a-lot-to-like-about-fareast-movement|magazine=Billboard|date=October 22, 2010|access-date=September 2, 2012|archive-date=April 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403073011/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/952823/ask-billboard-a-lot-to-like-about-fareast-movement|url-status=live}}</ref> It attracted the attention of conservative organizations who complained that the song and its accompanying video promoted premarital sex and undermined family values,<ref>{{harvnb|Cross|2007|p=31}}</ref> and moralists sought to have the song and video banned.<ref>{{harvnb|Voller|1999|p=18}}</ref> Madonna received huge media coverage for her performance of "Like a Virgin" at the first [[1984 MTV Video Music Awards]]. Wearing a wedding dress and white gloves, Madonna appeared on stage atop a giant wedding cake and then rolled around suggestively on the floor. MTV retrospectively considered it one of the "most iconic" pop performances of all time.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1978552/madonna-video-music-awards-like-a-virgin/|title=Here's The Wardrobe Malfunction That Made Madonna's 'Like A Virgin' VMA Performance Legendary|first=Christina|last=Garibaldi|date=October 28, 2014|publisher=[[MTV News]]|access-date=September 4, 2017|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143212/http://www.mtv.com/news/1978552/madonna-video-music-awards-like-a-virgin/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The second single, "[[Material Girl]]", reached number two on the Hot 100.<ref name="ach" /> While filming the single's music video, Madonna started dating actor [[Sean Penn]]. They married on her birthday in 1985.<ref name=secretlife>{{cite news|last=Greig|first=Geordie|author-link=Geordie Greig|title=Geordie Greig Meets Madonna: Secret Life of a Contented Wife|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/article586950.ece|newspaper=[[The Sunday Times]]|date=November 6, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906113359/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/article586950.ece|access-date=March 30, 2021|archive-date=September 6, 2008}}</ref>

Madonna entered mainstream films in February 1985, beginning with her cameo in ''Vision Quest''. The soundtrack contained two new singles, her US number-one single, "[[Crazy for You (Madonna song)|Crazy for You]]", and another track "[[Gambler (song)|Gambler]]".<ref name="ach">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/madonna/chart-history/hsi/|title=Madonna Chart History (Hot 100)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 12, 2009|archive-date=November 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117004354/https://www.billboard.com/artist/madonna/chart-history/hsi/|url-status=live}}</ref> She also played the title role in the 1985 comedy ''[[Desperately Seeking Susan]]'', a film which introduced the song "[[Into the Groove]]", her first number-one single in the UK.<ref name=BBC>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4753366.stm|work=BBC News|date=February 26, 2006|title=Madonna Scores 12th Chart Topper in the UK|access-date=June 9, 2008|archive-date=September 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915210607/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4753366.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Her popularity caused the film to be perceived as a Madonna vehicle, despite how she was not billed as a [[lead actress]].<ref name="AmericanF">{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Film Journal International]]|page=20|volume=10|year=1984|issn=1536-3155 |title=Desperately Seeking Madonna}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' film critic [[Vincent Canby]] named it one of the ten best films of 1985.<ref>{{cite news|last=Van Gelder|first=Lawrence|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/03/02/arts/critics-choices-cable-tv.html|title=Critic's Choices|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 2, 1986|access-date=April 25, 2012|archive-date=October 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017150233/http://www.nytimes.com/1986/03/02/arts/critics-choices-cable-tv.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Madonna in concert wearing fishnets 1987 colorized (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Madonna performing during the 1987 [[Who's That Girl World Tour]]|alt=A blond woman onstage with curly hair holding a microphone, wearing a black dress]]

Beginning in April 1985, Madonna embarked on her first concert tour in North America, [[the Virgin Tour]], with the [[Beastie Boys]] as her opening act. The tour saw the peak of [[Madonna wannabe]] phenomenon, with many female attendees dressing like her.<ref>{{harvnb|Voller|1999|p=21}}</ref> At that time, she released two more songs, "[[Angel (Madonna song)|Angel]]" and "[[Dress You Up]]", making all four singles from the album peak inside the top five on the Hot 100 chart.<ref>{{harvnb|George-Warren|Romanowski|Pareles|2001|pp=23–25}}</ref> "Angel" also topped the Australian charts.<ref name=kent/> In July, ''[[Penthouse (magazine)|Penthouse]]'' and ''[[Playboy]]'' magazines published a number of nude photos of Madonna, taken when she moonlighted as an [[Model (art)|art model]] in 1978.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Farber|first=M. A.|date=August 2, 1985|title=From Marilyn To Madonna, The Unglamorous Business Of Posing In The Nude|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/08/02/nyregion/from-marilyn-to-madonna-the-unglamorous-business-of-posing-in-the-nude.html|access-date=April 28, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513114920/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/08/02/nyregion/from-marilyn-to-madonna-the-unglamorous-business-of-posing-in-the-nude.html|url-status=live}}</ref> She had posed for the photographs because she needed money at the time, and was paid as little as $25 a session.{{Sfn|Morton|2001|p=135}} The publication of the photos caused a media uproar, but Madonna remained "unapologetic and defiant".<ref name=musicobio>{{cite web|author=Dion, Richard|url=http://www.musicomania.ca/madonna/biography.htm|title=Madonna Biography|publisher=Musicomania|access-date=April 23, 2012|archive-date=July 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702010718/http://www.musicomania.ca/madonna/biography.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The photographs were ultimately sold for up to $100,000.{{Sfn|Morton|2001|p=135}} She referred to these events at the 1985 outdoor [[Live Aid]] charity concert, saying that she would not take her jacket off because "[the media] might hold it against me ten years from now."<ref name=musicobio /><ref>{{harvnb|Metz|Benson|1999|p=67}}</ref>

In June 1986, Madonna released her third studio album, ''[[True Blue (Madonna album)|True Blue]]'', which was inspired by and dedicated to her husband Penn.<ref>{{harvnb|Clerk|2002|p=77}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' was impressed with the effort, writing that the album "sound[s] as if it comes from the heart".<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Madonna: True Blue|magazine=Rolling Stone|last=Sigerson|first=David|date=July 7, 1986|access-date=May 28, 2008 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/reviews/album/7076/36379|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629005730/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/reviews/album/7076/36379|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 29, 2012}}</ref> Five singles were released—"[[Live to Tell]]", "[[Papa Don't Preach]]", "[[True Blue (Madonna song)|True Blue]]", "[[Open Your Heart (Madonna song)|Open Your Heart]]", and "[[La Isla Bonita]]"—all of which reached number one in the US or the UK.<ref name="ach" /><ref name="UKchart">{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/28948/madonna/|title=Madonna: Artist Discography|date=January 14, 1984 |publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=May 25, 2009|archive-date=March 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318212925/http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/28948/madonna/|url-status=live}}</ref> The album topped the charts in 28 countries worldwide, an unprecedented achievement at the time, and remains Madonna's bestselling studio album, with sales of 25&nbsp;million copies.<ref>{{harvnb|Bohem|1990|p=78}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1682061/madonna-lionel-richie-top-billboard.jhtml|title=Madonna And Lionel Richie To Reunite On Billboard Charts?|first=Gil|last=Kaufman|publisher=MTV (MTV Networks)|date=March 29, 2012|access-date=April 7, 2012|archive-date=March 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331201523/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1682061/madonna-lionel-richie-top-billboard.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''True Blue'' was featured in the 1992 edition of ''[[Guinness World Records]]'' as the bestselling album by a woman of all time.<ref>{{harvnb|McFarlan|1992|p=186}}</ref>

Madonna starred in the critically panned film ''[[Shanghai Surprise]]'' in 1986, for which she received her first [[Golden Raspberry Award]] for [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress|Worst Actress]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/gallery/sizzle-or-fizzle-real-life-couples-screen/|title=Sizzle or Fizzle? Real-Life Couples On Screen|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=February 14, 2014|access-date=April 11, 2014|archive-date=April 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406015016/http://www.ew.com/gallery/sizzle-or-fizzle-real-life-couples-screen|url-status=live}}</ref> She made her theatrical debut in a production of [[David Rabe]]'s ''Goose and Tom-Tom''; the film and play both co-starred Penn.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribute.ca/people/madonna-/4085/|title=Madonna Biography|publisher=[[Tribune Entertainment]] Media Group|access-date=June 9, 2008|archive-date=October 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002222310/http://www.tribute.ca/people/madonna-/4085/|url-status=live}}</ref> The next year, Madonna was featured in the film ''[[Who's That Girl (1987 film)|Who's That Girl]]''. She contributed four songs to its soundtrack, including the [[Who's That Girl (Madonna song)|title track]] and "[[Causing a Commotion]]".<ref name="bbsingles">{{cite web|title=Madonna – Charts & Awards – Billboard Singles|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/madonna-p64565/charts-awards/billboard-singles|access-date=February 24, 2010|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|archive-date=October 21, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101021021900/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/madonna-p64565/charts-awards/billboard-singles|url-status=live}}</ref> Madonna embarked on the [[Who's That Girl World Tour]] in June 1987, which continued until September.<ref name="showstealer" /><ref name="Voller 1999 29">{{harvnb|Voller|1999|p=29}}</ref> It broke several attendance records, including over 130,000 people in a show near Paris, which was then a record for [[List of highest-attended concerts|the highest-attended female concert of all time]].<ref name="paris1987">{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/diario/1987/08/31/cultura/557359210_850215.html|title=Madonna convocó en París a 130.000 personas|language=es|access-date=May 4, 2009|newspaper=[[El País]]|location=Madrid|publisher=[[Jesús de Polanco]]|last=Bassets|first=Luis|date=August 31, 1987|archive-date=November 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118090803/http://elpais.com/diario/1987/08/31/cultura/557359210_850215.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that year, she released a remix album of past hits, ''[[You Can Dance]]'', which reached number&nbsp;14 on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref name="bbalbums" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r12207|title=Madonna – You Can Dance|date=December 2, 1987|access-date=May 18, 2010|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|archive-date=June 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607160930/https://www.allmusic.com/album/you-can-dance-mw0000197952/trackListingAjax|url-status=live}}</ref> After a tumultuous two years' marriage, Madonna filed for divorce from Penn on December 4, 1987, but withdrew the petition a few weeks later.<ref>{{Cite news|date=December 17, 1987|title=Madonna Halts Divorce|work=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-12-17-mn-29804-story.html|url-access=subscription|access-date=February 2, 2022|archive-date=February 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202031439/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-12-17-mn-29804-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Kaufman|first=Joanne|date=December 14, 1987|title=Everyone Said It Wouldn't Last...|url=https://people.com/archive/cover-story-everyone-said-it-wouldnt-last-vol-28-no-24/|access-date=February 2, 2022|magazine=People|archive-date=January 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130134948/https://people.com/archive/cover-story-everyone-said-it-wouldnt-last-vol-28-no-24/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 1988–1991: ''Like a Prayer'', ''Dick Tracy'', and ''Truth or Dare'' ===
[[File:ExpressYourselfUnderGround cropped.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Madonna performing at the 1990 [[Blond Ambition World Tour]]|alt=A blond woman onstage with curly hair, and wearing a white corset and black pants. The background is black and smoky.]]

She made her [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] debut in the production of ''[[Speed-the-Plow]]'' at the [[Royale Theatre]] from May to August 1988.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Winship|first=Frederic M.|date=May 4, 1988|title=Madonna makes unimpressive Broadway debut in Mamet play|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/05/04/Madonna-makes-unimpressive-Broadway-debut-in-Mamet-play/2896578721600/|access-date=February 1, 2022|work=United Press International|archive-date=February 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202031437/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/05/04/Madonna-makes-unimpressive-Broadway-debut-in-Mamet-play/2896578721600/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=August 8, 1988|title='Speed-the-Plow' Cast to Be Changed|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/08/08/theater/speed-the-plow-cast-to-be-changed.html|access-date=February 2, 2022|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=February 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202031436/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/08/08/theater/speed-the-plow-cast-to-be-changed.html|url-status=live}}</ref> According to the [[Associated Press]], Madonna filed an assault report against Penn after an alleged incident at their Malibu home during the New Year's weekend.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|last=Wilson|first=Jeff|date=January 11, 1989|title=Madonna Withdraws Assault Complaint Against Sean Penn|url=https://apnews.com/article/02821457861985f54b771ded83b89ba0|access-date=February 2, 2022|work=Associated Press News|archive-date=February 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202031439/https://apnews.com/article/02821457861985f54b771ded83b89ba0|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Incident Behind Those Sean Penn Domestic Abuse Allegations|date=September 22, 2015|url=http://yahoo.com/entertainment/blogs/celeb-news/the-incident-behind-those-sean-penn-domestic-abuse-allegations-200453426.html|access-date=February 1, 2022|publisher=Yahoo!|archive-date=January 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130221902/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/blogs/celeb-news/the-incident-behind-those-sean-penn-domestic-abuse-allegations-200453426.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Madonna filed for divorce on January 5, 1989, and the following week she reportedly asked that no criminal charges be pressed.<ref>{{Cite news|date=January 5, 1989|title=Madonna files for divorce from Sean Penn|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/01/05/Madonna-files-for-divorce-from-Sean-Penn/4310599979600/|access-date=February 1, 2022|work=United Press International|archive-date=February 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202031439/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/01/05/Madonna-files-for-divorce-from-Sean-Penn/4310599979600/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":3" />

In January 1989, Madonna signed an endorsement deal with soft-drink manufacturer [[Pepsi]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Stefan|first=Fatsis|date=January 25, 1989|title=Pepsi Signs Madonna As Cola Ad Wars Intensify|url=https://apnews.com/article/f3eab00761da7c9da7d7fe839bcd3be2|access-date=February 2, 2022|work=Associated Press News|archive-date=February 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202032937/https://apnews.com/article/f3eab00761da7c9da7d7fe839bcd3be2|url-status=live}}</ref> In one Pepsi commercial, she debuted "[[Like a Prayer (song)|Like a Prayer]]", the lead single and title track from her [[Like a Prayer (album)|fourth studio album]]. The music video featured [[Christian symbolism|Catholic symbols]] such as [[stigmata]] and [[cross burning]], and a dream of making love to a saint, leading the [[Holy See|Vatican]] to condemn the video. Religious groups sought to ban the commercial and boycott Pepsi products. Pepsi revoked the commercial and canceled her sponsorship contract.<ref name="foxbio">{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/madonna-biography-discography-filmography|title=Madonna Biography, Discography, Filmography|publisher=[[Fox News]]|access-date=June 5, 2008|date=January 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025145239/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,193740,00.html?sPage=fnc.entertainment%2Fmadonna|archive-date=October 25, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Pepsi cancels Madonna ad|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/04/05/business/pepsi-cancels-madonna-ad.html|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=September 2, 2012|date=April 5, 1989|archive-date=September 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924233149/http://www.nytimes.com/1989/04/05/business/pepsi-cancels-madonna-ad.html|url-status=live}}</ref> "Like a Prayer" topped the charts in many countries, becoming her seventh number-one on the Hot 100.<ref name="bbsingles" /><ref name="ach" />

Madonna co-wrote and co-produced the album ''Like a Prayer'' with [[Patrick Leonard]], [[Stephen Bray]], and [[Prince (musician)|Prince]].<ref>{{cite AV media|year=1989|title=[[Like a Prayer (album)|Like a Prayer]]|medium=Audio CD|people=Madonna|publisher=Sire Records}}</ref> Music critic [[J. D. Considine]] from ''Rolling Stone'' praised it "as close to art as pop music gets ... proof not only that Madonna should be taken seriously as an artist but that hers is one of the most compelling voices of the Eighties."<ref name="laprsreview">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/reviews/album/7480/37150|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121208142706/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/reviews/album/7480/37150|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 8, 2012|title=Madonna: Like A Prayer: Review|access-date=January 21, 2007|last=Considine|first=J.D.|author-link=J.D. Considine|date=April 6, 1989|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> ''Like a Prayer'' peaked at number one on the ''Billboard'' 200 and sold 15&nbsp;million copies worldwide.<ref name="bbalbums" /><ref name="Time">{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/5793713/madonna-100-women-of-the-year/|title=100 WOMEN OF THE YEAR, 1989: Madonna|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=March 5, 2020|access-date=January 9, 2021|archive-date=March 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304234725/https://time.com/5793713/madonna-100-women-of-the-year/|url-status=live}}</ref> Other successful singles from the album were "[[Express Yourself (Madonna song)|Express Yourself]]" and "[[Cherish (Madonna song)|Cherish]]", which both peaked at number two in the US, as well as the UK top-five "[[Dear Jessie]]" and the US top-ten "[[Keep It Together (Madonna song)|Keep It Together]]".<ref name="bbsingles" /><ref name="ach" /> By the end of the 1980s, Madonna was named as the "Artist of the Decade" by MTV, ''Billboard'' and ''[[Musician (magazine)|Musician]]'' magazine.<ref>{{harvnb|Taraborrelli|2002|p=217}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Michael, Madonna Top 'Billboard' Poll|newspaper=[[Dayton Daily News]]|date=May 25, 1990|issn=0897-0920|page=23}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Bego|2000|p=232}}</ref>

Madonna starred as [[Breathless Mahoney]] in the film [[Dick Tracy (1990 film)|''Dick Tracy'']] (1990), with [[Warren Beatty]] playing the title role.{{Sfn|Morton|2001|p=163}} The film went to [[List of 1990 box office number-one films in the United States|number one on the US box office]] for two weeks and Madonna received a [[Saturn Award]] nomination for [[Saturn Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=dicktracy.htm|title=Dick Tracy|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=April 11, 2014|archive-date=April 28, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090428025956/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=dicktracy.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> To accompany the film, she released the soundtrack album, ''[[I'm Breathless]]'', which included songs inspired by the film's 1930s setting. It also featured the US number-one song "[[Vogue (Madonna song)|Vogue]]" and "[[Sooner or Later (Madonna song)|Sooner or Later]]".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/news/poll-vogue-is-fave-madonna-chart-topper-876281.story|title=Poll: 'Vogue' Is Fave Madonna Chart-Topper|magazine=Billboard|date=September 15, 2000|last=Herrera|first=Monica|access-date=December 14, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111110062727/http://www.billboard.com/news/poll-vogue-is-fave-madonna-chart-topper-876281.story|archive-date=November 10, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Pitts|2004|p=40}}</ref> While shooting the film, Madonna began a relationship with Beatty, which dissolved shortly after the premiere.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20118117,00.html|title=He Still Leaves 'Em Breathless|first=Elizabeth|last=Sporkin|date=July 2, 1990|magazine=People|access-date=July 30, 2009|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303201859/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20118117,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Calderone|first=Ana|date=November 21, 2016|title=Warren Beatty Opens Up About Dating Madonna|url=https://people.com/movies/warren-beatty-madonna-dick-tracy-truth-or-dare/|access-date=August 4, 2021|magazine=People|archive-date=August 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804142141/https://people.com/movies/warren-beatty-madonna-dick-tracy-truth-or-dare/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In April 1990, Madonna began her [[Blond Ambition World Tour]], which ended in August.<ref>{{cite web|title=Madonna.com > Tours > Blond Ambition Tour|url=http://www.madonna.com/tour/index/tour/id/2|publisher=Madonna.com|access-date=September 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107141042/http://madonna.com/tour/index/tour/id/2|archive-date=November 7, 2014}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'' called it an "elaborately choreographed, sexually provocative extravaganza" and proclaimed it "the best tour of 1990".<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Crucifixes, Leather and Hits|date=June 1, 2006|last=Walters |first=Barry|magazine=Rolling Stone|issn=0035-791X|volume=1067|issue=56}}</ref> The tour generated strong negative reaction from religious groups for her performance of "Like a Virgin", during which two male dancers caressed her body before she simulated masturbation.<ref name="showstealer">{{cite news|first=Neil|last=Smith|date=May 24, 2004|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3704915.stm|publisher=BBC|title=Show Stealer Madonna on Tour|access-date=February 12, 2008|archive-date=August 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804221111/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3704915.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> In response, Madonna said, "The tour in no way hurts anybody's sentiments. It's for open minds and gets them to see sexuality in a different way. Their own and others".<ref name="carrie">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/carrie-fisher-interviews-madonna-about-men-sex-drugs-death-w457927|last=Fisher|first=Carrie|author-link=Carrie Fisher|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=August 1991|title=True Confessions: The Rolling Stone Interview With Madonna|access-date=November 9, 2017|archive-date=August 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821085704/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/carrie-fisher-interviews-madonna-about-men-sex-drugs-death-w457927|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Blond Ambition World Tour Live|The live recording of the tour]] won Madonna her first [[Grammy Award]], in the category of [[Grammy Award for Best Long Form Music Video|Best Long Form Music Video]].<ref name="grammy" /> In October 1990, Madonna lent her voice to a Public Service Announcement (PSA) supporting [[Rock the Vote]]'s efforts in voter registration.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rock The Vote |url=https://todayinmadonnahistory.com/tag/rock-the-vote/ |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=Today in Madonna History |archive-date=May 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515173212/https://todayinmadonnahistory.com/tag/rock-the-vote/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Madonna's first greatest-hits [[compilation album]], ''[[The Immaculate Collection]]'' (1990), was released in November including two new songs, "[[Justify My Love]]" and "[[Rescue Me (Madonna song)|Rescue Me]]".<ref name="cross28">{{harvnb|Cross|2007|p=128}}</ref> The album was certified diamond by RIAA and sold over 30&nbsp;million copies worldwide, becoming the [[List of best-selling albums|best-selling]] compilation album by a solo artist in history.<ref name="diamond">{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=top_tallies&ttt=DA#search_section|title=Gold & Platinum: Diamond Awards|publisher=Recording Industry Association of America|access-date=January 3, 2010|archive-date=January 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105175018/http://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=top_tallies&ttt=DA#search_section|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="TICsales">{{cite news|url=http://newsroom.mtv.com/2011/08/16/happy-birthday-madonna/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712132240/http://newsroom.mtv.com/2011/08/16/happy-birthday-madonna/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 12, 2012|title=Happy Birthday, Madonna!|first=John|last=Mitchell|publisher=MTV (MTV Networks)|date=August 16, 2011|access-date=August 18, 2011}}</ref> "Justify My Love" reached number one in the US becoming her ninth number-one on the Hot 100.<ref name="ach" /> Her then-boyfriend model [[Tony Ward (model)|Tony Ward]] co-starred in the music video, which featured scenes of [[sadomasochism]], [[bondage (sexual)|bondage]], same-sex kissing, and brief nudity.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Mackie|first=Drew|date=November 2, 2015|title=Justify My Love Turns 25: 20 Things You Didn't Know|url=https://people.com/celebrity/justify-my-love-turns-25-20-things-you-didnt-know/|access-date=August 4, 2021|magazine=People|archive-date=August 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810212221/https://people.com/celebrity/justify-my-love-turns-25-20-things-you-didnt-know/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lippens|first=Nate |url=http://entertainment.msn.com/green/madonna10things/|publisher=[[MSN]]|title=Making Madonna: 10 Moments That Created an Icon|year=2007 |access-date= January 4, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610214016/http://entertainment.msn.com/green/madonna10things/ |archive-date=June 10, 2011}}</ref> The video was deemed too sexually explicit for MTV and was banned from the network.<ref name="rebel">{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/1998/11/20/justify-my-love-was-too-raunchy-1990/|title=Madonna Banned|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=May 27, 2008|last=Rich|first=Joshua|date=November 20, 1998|archive-date=September 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918111453/https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,285759,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Her first documentary film, ''[[Madonna: Truth or Dare|Truth or Dare]]'' (known as ''In Bed with Madonna'' outside North America), was released in May 1991.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/BVF063175/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729041642/http://www.bbfc.co.uk/BVF063175/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 29, 2012 |title=In Bed With Madonna – BBFC rating|publisher=[[British Board of Film Classification]]|access-date=September 6, 2012}}</ref> Chronicling her Blond Ambition World Tour, it became the highest-grossing documentary of all time (surpassed eleven years later by [[Michael Moore]]'s ''[[Bowling for Columbine]]'').<ref>{{cite news|url=https://articles.latimes.com/2003/jan/03/entertainment/et-munoz3/2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503095431/http://articles.latimes.com/2003/jan/03/entertainment/et-munoz3/2 |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 3, 2012 |title=Little pictures have a big year |first=Lorenza|last=Munoz |date=January 3, 2003 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=August 12, 2017}}</ref>

=== 1992–1997: Maverick, ''Erotica'', ''Sex'', ''Bedtime Stories'', ''Evita'', and motherhood ===

In 1992, Madonna starred in ''[[A League of Their Own]]'' as Mae Mordabito, a baseball player on an all-women's team.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bergren |first=Joe |date=July 1, 2022 |title=Tom Hanks on 'A League of Their Own's Madonna Casting (Flashback) |url=https://www.etonline.com/tom-hanks-on-a-league-of-their-owns-madonna-casting-and-why-people-love-baseball-flashback-186604 |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=Entertainment Tonight |archive-date=January 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112090515/https://www.etonline.com/tom-hanks-on-a-league-of-their-owns-madonna-casting-and-why-people-love-baseball-flashback-186604 |url-status=live }}</ref> It reached [[List of 1992 box office number-one films in the United States|number one on the box-office]] and became the tenth-highest-grossing film of the year in the US.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=leagueoftheirown.htm|title=A League of Their Own|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=April 11, 2014|archive-date=April 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411175913/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=leagueoftheirown.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> She recorded the film's theme song, "[[This Used to Be My Playground]]", which became her tenth number-one on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, the most by any female artist at the time.<ref name="ach" /> In April, Madonna founded her own entertainment company, [[Maverick (entertainment company)|Maverick]], consisting of a record company (Maverick Records), a film production company (Maverick Films), and associated music publishing, television broadcasting, book publishing, and merchandising divisions.<ref name="NYT - $60 million" /> The deal was a joint venture with [[Time Warner]] and paid Madonna an advance of $60&nbsp;million. It gave her 20% royalties from the music proceedings, the highest rate in the industry at the time, equaled only by [[Michael Jackson]]'s royalty rate established a year earlier with [[Sony Music Entertainment|Sony]].<ref name="NYT - $60 million">{{cite news|first=Stephen|last=Holden|author-link=Stephen Holden|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/04/20/arts/madonna-makes-a-60-million-deal.html|work=[[The New York Times]]|title=Madonna Makes a $60&nbsp;Million Deal|access-date=May 27, 2008|date=April 20, 1992|archive-date=May 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511013845/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/04/20/arts/madonna-makes-a-60-million-deal.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Her company later went on to become one of the most successful [[vanity label|artist-run labels]] in history, producing multi-platinum artists such as [[Alanis Morissette]] and [[Michelle Branch]].<ref name="labelsuit" /><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2004/06/15/madonna-sells-her-record-label/|title=Madonna sells her record label|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|first=Gary|last=Susman|date=June 15, 2004|access-date=December 30, 2020|archive-date=March 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310152428/https://ew.com/article/2004/06/15/madonna-sells-her-record-label/|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that year, Madonna co-sponsored the first museum retrospective for her former boyfriend artist Jean-Michel Basquiat at the [[Whitney Museum of American Art]] in New York.<ref>{{Cite news|last=D'Arcy|first=David|date=November 1, 1992|title=Whitney compares Basquiat to Leonardo da Vinci in new retrospective|url=http://www.theartnewspaper.com/archive/basquiat-as-leonardo-da-vinci|access-date=August 2, 2020|newspaper=The Art Newspaper|archive-date=October 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022010900/https://www.theartnewspaper.com/archive/basquiat-as-leonardo-da-vinci|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Larson|first=Kay|date=November 9, 1992|title=Wild Child|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BeUCAAAAMBAJ&q=madonna+whitney+1992+basquiat&pg=PA74|magazine=New York|pages=74|access-date=October 3, 2020|archive-date=June 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607161326/https://books.google.com/books?id=BeUCAAAAMBAJ&q=madonna+whitney+1992+basquiat&pg=PA74#v=snippet&q=madonna%20whitney%201992%20basquiat&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File: ExpressYourselfGirlieShowunderGround2 sh (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Madonna performing at [[The Girlie Show (Madonna)|the Girlie Show]] in 1993|alt=A woman with short blonde hair, wearing a green bra and purple pants, singing to a microphone, held in her left hand.]]
In October 1992, Madonna simultaneously released her fifth studio album, ''[[Erotica (Madonna album)|Erotica]]'', and her [[coffee table book]], ''[[Sex (book)|Sex]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Holden|first=Stephen|date=October 18, 1992|title=Recordings View; Selling Sex and (Oh, Yes) a Record|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/18/arts/recordings-view-selling-sex-and-oh-yes-a-record.html|access-date=February 1, 2022|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304110029/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/18/arts/recordings-view-selling-sex-and-oh-yes-a-record.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Consisting of sexually provocative and explicit images, photographed by [[Steven Meisel]], the book received strong negative reaction from the media and the general public, but sold 1.5&nbsp;million copies at $50 each in a matter of days.{{Sfn|Morton|2001|p=183}}<ref name="SEX and Erotica">{{cite web|first=Gregory|last=Kirschling|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,365681,00.html|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|title=The Naked Launch|access-date=May 27, 2008|date=October 25, 2002|archive-date=January 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115134604/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,365681,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The widespread backlash overshadowed ''Erotica'', which ended up as her lowest selling album at the time.<ref name="SEX and Erotica" /> Despite positive reviews, it became her first studio album since her debut album not to score any chart-topper in the US. The album entered the ''Billboard'' 200 at number two. It yielded the Hot 100 top-ten hits "[[Erotica (song)|Erotica]]" and "[[Deeper and Deeper]]".<ref name="bbalbums" /><ref name="ach" /> At the time Madonna had been dating rapper [[Vanilla Ice]] and she at one point proposed to him. They broke up following the release of ''Sex'', with Ice claiming that he was included in the book without his consent.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vanilla Ice Reflects On Crazy Madonna Relationship |url=https://www.iheartradio.ca/en/music-news/vanilla-ice-reflects-on-crazy-madonna-relationship-1.19179996.html |access-date=March 30, 2024 |publisher=iHeartRadio |archive-date=March 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240330202748/https://www.iheartradio.ca/en/music-news/vanilla-ice-reflects-on-crazy-madonna-relationship-1.19179996.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=January 31, 2023 |title=Vanilla Ice Describes His Reaction to Surprise 1990s Madonna Marriage Proposal: 'This Is Too Fast!' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/vanilla-ice-reaction-surprise-madonna-marriage-proposal-1235208544/ |access-date=March 30, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=March 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240330202747/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/vanilla-ice-reaction-surprise-madonna-marriage-proposal-1235208544/ |url-status=live }}</ref>  Madonna continued her provocative imagery in the 1993 [[erotic thriller]], ''[[Body of Evidence (1993 film)|Body of Evidence]]'', a film which contained scenes of [[sadomasochism]] and [[Bondage (BDSM)|bondage]]. Critics poorly received the film.<ref>{{harvnb|Metz|Benson|1999|pp=17–20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/body_of_evidence/|title=Body of Evidence|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=December 3, 2002|agency=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=June 9, 2008|archive-date=June 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080623103731/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/body_of_evidence/?|url-status=live}}</ref> She also starred in the film ''[[Dangerous Game (1993 film)|Dangerous Game]]'', which was released straight to video in North America. ''The New York Times'' described the film as "angry and painful, and the pain feels real."<ref>{{cite news|last=Maslin|first=Janet|author-link=Janet Maslin|title=A Movie Within a Movie, With a Demure Madonna|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9F0CE5DF103AF93AA25752C1A965958260|newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 19, 1993|access-date=June 10, 2008|archive-date=February 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219175200/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9F0CE5DF103AF93AA25752C1A965958260|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 1993, Madonna embarked on [[The Girlie Show (Madonna)|the Girlie Show]], in which she dressed as a whip-cracking [[dominatrix]] surrounded by topless dancers. In Puerto Rico she rubbed the island's flag between her legs on stage, resulting in outrage among the audience.<ref name="showstealer" /> In March 1994, [[Madonna on Late Show with David Letterman in 1994|she appeared as a guest]] on the ''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]'', using profanity that required censorship on television, and handing Letterman a pair of her panties and asking him to smell it.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Glass|first=Joshua|date=March 28, 2019|title=Madonna's Iconic Cursing on David Lettermen|url=https://www.crfashionbook.com/celebrity/a26974360/madonna-david-lettermen-censorship-interview/|access-date=February 16, 2022|magazine=CR Fashion Book|archive-date=February 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216211336/https://www.crfashionbook.com/celebrity/a26974360/madonna-david-lettermen-censorship-interview/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The releases of her sexually explicit book, album, and film, and the aggressive appearance on Letterman all made critics question Madonna as a sexual renegade. Critics and fans reacted negatively, commenting that "she had gone too far" and her career was over.<ref>{{harvnb|Taraborrelli|2002|pp=232–235}}</ref> Around this time, Madonna briefly dated rapper [[Tupac Shakur]] and basketball player [[Dennis Rodman]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Igoe|first=Katherine J.|date=July 19, 2020|title=The Dennis Rodman-Madonna Relationship Was a Whirlwind|url=https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/a33276130/dennis-rodman-madonna-relationship/|access-date=August 5, 2020|magazine=Marie Claire|archive-date=August 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808120011/https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/a33276130/dennis-rodman-madonna-relationship/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=March 12, 2015|title=Madonna Talks Her Rise to the Top, Dating Tupac, and Her Infamous VMAs Performance During Her First Interview With Howard|url=https://www.howardstern.com/news/2015/03/11/the-madonna-interview-ten-things-you-need-to-know/|access-date=August 5, 2020|publisher=Howard Stern|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028204954/https://www.howardstern.com/news/2015/03/11/the-madonna-interview-ten-things-you-need-to-know/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Smith|first1=Candace C.|title=Tupac Shakur letter reveals he split from Madonna because she's white|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/tupac-shakur-letter-reveals-split-madonna-shes-white/story?id=48458727|agency=ABC News|access-date=July 12, 2017|date=July 6, 2017|archive-date=July 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711002326/http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/tupac-shakur-letter-reveals-split-madonna-shes-white/story?id=48458727|url-status=live}}</ref>

Biographer [[J. Randy Taraborrelli]] described her ballad "[[I'll Remember]]" (1994) as an attempt to tone down her provocative image. The song was recorded for [[Alek Keshishian]]'s 1994 film ''[[With Honors (film)|With Honors]]''.<ref>{{harvnb|Taraborrelli|2002|p=242}}</ref> She made a subdued appearance with Letterman at an awards show and appeared on ''[[The Tonight Show with Jay Leno]]'' after realizing that she needed to change her musical direction to sustain her popularity.<ref name="tara235" /> With her sixth studio album, ''[[Bedtime Stories (Madonna album)|Bedtime Stories]]'' (1994), Madonna employed a softer image to try to improve the public perception.<ref name="tara235">{{harvnb|Taraborrelli|2002|p=235}}</ref> The album debuted at number three on the ''Billboard'' 200 and generated two US top-five hits, "[[Secret (Madonna song)|Secret]]" and "[[Take a Bow (Madonna song)|Take a Bow]]", the latter topping the Hot 100 for seven weeks, the longest period of any Madonna single.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Madonna's 40 Biggest Billboard Hits|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/list/499398/madonnas-40-biggest-billboard-hits|magazine=Billboard|access-date=September 2, 2012|archive-date=April 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406085727/https://www.billboard.com/articles/list/499398/madonnas-40-biggest-billboard-hits|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Something to Remember]]'', a collection of ballads, was released in November 1995. The album featured three new songs: "[[You'll See]]", "[[One More Chance (Madonna song)|One More Chance]]", and a cover of [[Marvin Gaye]]'s "[[I Want You (Marvin Gaye song)|I Want You]]".<ref name="ach" /><ref name="str">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r431248|title=Something to Remember|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|date=November 17, 1995|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=July 30, 2009|archive-date=November 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107150858/https://www.allmusic.com/album/something-to-remember-mw0000176974|url-status=live}}</ref> An enthusiastic collector of [[modern art]], Madonna sponsored the first major retrospective of [[Tina Modotti]]'s work at the [[Philadelphia Museum of Art]] in 1995.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Outwater|first=Myra Y.|date=November 12, 1995|title=Modotti Photos Capture Mexican Life|newspaper=The Morning Call|url=https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-1995-11-12-3063752-story.html|access-date=February 1, 2022|archive-date=April 4, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210404174741/https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-1995-11-12-3063752-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The following year, she sponsored an exhibition of Basquiat's paintings at the [[Serpentine Galleries|Serpentine Gallery]] in London.<ref>{{Cite news|date=February 17, 1996|title=Madonna Sponsors Show|page=5|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref> The following year, she sponsored artist [[Cindy Sherman]]'s retrospective at the [[Museum of Modern Art|MoMA]] in New York.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Vogel|first=Carol|date=February 16, 2012|title=Cindy Sherman Unmasked|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/19/arts/design/moma-to-showcase-cindy-shermans-new-and-old-characters.html|access-date=February 1, 2022|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=February 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201101740/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/19/arts/design/moma-to-showcase-cindy-shermans-new-and-old-characters.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{Quote box|width=20%|align=left|quote=This is the role I was born to play. I put everything of me into this because it was much more than a role in a movie. It was exhilarating and intimidating at the same time. And I am prouder of ''Evita'' than anything else I have done.|source=—Madonna talking about her role in ''Evita''<ref>{{harvnb|Michael|2004|p=67}}</ref>}}

In February 1996, Madonna began filming the musical ''[[Evita (1996 film)|Evita]]'' in Argentina.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Madonna's role as Evita angers many Argentines|newspaper=Tampa Bay Times|url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1996/01/20/madonna-s-role-as-evita-angers-many-argentines/|access-date=February 1, 2022|archive-date=February 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201202448/https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1996/01/20/madonna-s-role-as-evita-angers-many-argentines/|url-status=live}}</ref> For a long time, Madonna had desired to play Argentine political leader [[Eva Perón]] and wrote to director [[Alan Parker]] to explain why she would be perfect for the part. After securing the title role, she received vocal coaching and learned about the history of Argentina and Perón. During filming Madonna became ill several times, after finding out that she was pregnant, and from the intense emotional effort required with the scenes.<ref>{{harvnb|Taraborrelli|2002|p=276}}</ref> Upon ''Evita''{{'}}s release in December 1996, Madonna's performance received praise from film critics.<ref name="evitany">{{cite news|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9B02E0D91E31F936A15751C1A960958260|title=Madonna, Chic Pop Star, As Chic Political Leader|date=December 6, 1996|newspaper=The New York Times|last=Maslin|first=Janet|access-date=May 26, 2009|author-link=Janet Maslin|archive-date=August 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824182854/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9B02E0D91E31F936A15751C1A960958260|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="msn">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,295501,00.html|title=Evita (1997)|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|last=Gleiberman|first=Owen|date=December 20, 1996|access-date=June 9, 2008|archive-date=September 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918111557/https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,295501,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Taraborrelli|2002|p=285}}</ref> Zach Conner of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine remarked, "It's a relief to say that ''Evita'' is pretty damn fine, well cast and handsomely visualized. Madonna once again confounds our expectations."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,985711,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070717024917/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,985711,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 17, 2007|title=Cinema: Madonna and Eva Peron: You Must Love Her |last=Corliss|first=Richard|date=December 16, 1996|access-date=May 26, 2010|magazine=Time}}</ref> For the role, she [[List of accolades received by Evita (1996 film)|won]] the [[Golden Globe Award]] for [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy|Best Actress in Motion Picture Musical or Comedy]].<ref name="cnn2008">{{cite news|first=Stephanie|last=Busari|title=Hey Madonna, Don't Give Up the Day Job!|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/03/18/madonna.movies/?iref=mpstoryview|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=March 24, 2008|access-date=March 21, 2008|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303200029/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/03/18/madonna.movies/?iref=mpstoryview|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Evita (soundtrack)|''Evita'' soundtrack]], containing songs mostly performed by Madonna, was released as a [[double album]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r248416|title=Madonna – Evita (Original Soundtrack) Overview|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|date=September 23, 1997|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=February 24, 2010|archive-date=November 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107150812/https://www.allmusic.com/album/evita-the-complete-motion-picture-music-soundtrack-mw0000023920|url-status=live}}</ref> It included "[[You Must Love Me]]" and "[[Don't Cry for Me Argentina#Madonna version|Don't Cry for Me Argentina]]"; the latter reached number one in countries across Europe.<ref name="euro">{{cite magazine|title=Hits of the World: Eurochart Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|date=February 8, 1997|page=41|volume=109|issue=6|issn=0006-2510|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wA4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA41|access-date=August 4, 2015|archive-date=November 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107150813/https://books.google.com/books?id=wA4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA41#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> Madonna was presented with the Artist Achievement Award by [[Tony Bennett]] at the 1996 [[Billboard Music Award|''Billboard'' Music Awards]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=swkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA12|title=Performers, Presenters Add Spark To Billboard Music Awards|page=12|magazine=Billboard|date=December 21, 1996 |access-date=March 20, 2014|volume=108|issue=51|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> On October 14, 1996, she gave birth to [[Lourdes Leon|Lourdes "Lola" Maria Ciccone Leon]], her daughter with fitness trainer Carlos Leon.<ref>{{harvnb|Voller|1999|p=221}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-10-15-me-54133-story.html|title=Madonna Gives Birth to Daughter|last1=Lacher|first1=Irne|last2=Malnic|first2=Eric|date=October 15, 1996|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=August 1, 2015|archive-date=September 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915193936/http://articles.latimes.com/1996-10-15/local/me-54133_1_madonna-gave-birth|url-status=live}}</ref> Biographer [[Mary Cross]] writes that although Madonna often worried that her pregnancy would harm ''Evita'', she reached some important personal goals: "Now 38 years old, Madonna had at last triumphed on screen and achieved her dream of having a child, both in the same year. She had reached another turning point in her career, reinventing herself and her image with the public."<ref>{{harvnb|Cross|2007|p=71}}</ref> Her relationship with Carlos Leon ended in May 1997 and she declared that they were "better off as best friends".<ref>{{harvnb|Taraborrelli|2002|p=288}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Cross|2007|p=134}}</ref>

=== 1998–2002: ''Ray of Light'', ''Music'', second marriage, and touring comeback ===
After Lourdes's birth, Madonna became involved in Eastern mysticism and [[Kabbalah]], introduced to her by actress [[Sandra Bernhard]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/kabbalah-is-madonna-losing-her-religion-6095969.html|title=Kabbalah: is Madonna losing her religion?|last=Barnes|first=Anthony|date=July 9, 2006|access-date=May 26, 2010|work=The Independent|location=London|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305102102/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/kabbalah-is-madonna-losing-her-religion-6095969.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Her seventh studio album, ''[[Ray of Light]]'', (1998) reflected this change in her perception and image.<ref>{{harvnb|Rooksby|2004|p=50}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Michael|2004|p=46}}</ref> She collaborated with electronica producer [[William Orbit]] and wanted to create a sound that could blend dance music with pop and British rock.<ref name="wync" /> American music critic [[Ann Powers]] explained that what Madonna searched for with Orbit "was a kind of a lushness that she wanted for this record. [[Techno music|Techno]] and [[rave]] were happening in the 90s and had a lot of different forms. There was very experimental, more hard stuff like [[Aphex Twin]]. There was party stuff like [[Fatboy Slim]]. That's not what Madonna wanted for this. She wanted something more like a singer-songwriter, really. And William Orbit provided her with that."<ref name="wync">{{cite web|url=http://soundcheck.wnyc.org/story/madonna-ray-of-light/|title='Ray Of Light' Was Madonna's 'Mid-Life Enlightenment' Record|date=September 13, 2013|access-date=February 14, 2014|last=Powers|first=Ann|author-link=Ann Powers|work=[[Soundcheck (radio program)|Soundcheck]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140210144342/http://soundcheck.wnyc.org/story/madonna-ray-of-light/|archive-date=February 10, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The album garnered critical acclaim, with ''[[Slant Magazine]]'' calling it "one of the great pop masterpieces of the '90s"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/madonna-ray-of-light|title=Madonna: Ray Of Light {{!}} Album Review|date=March 9, 2003|access-date=July 17, 2009|last=Cinquemani|first=Sal|work=[[Slant Magazine]]|archive-date=June 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602003946/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/madonna-ray-of-light|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Ray of Light'' was honored with four [[41st Annual Grammy Awards|Grammy Awards]]—including [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album|Best Pop Album]] and [[Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording|Best Dance Recording]]—and was nominated for both [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]] and [[Grammy Award for Record of the Year|Record of the Year]].<ref name="madonnasecret">{{cite news |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/2000/SHOWBIZ/Music/11/10/wb.madonna.album/index.html |title=Madonna's secret to making 'Music'|date=November 10, 2000 |publisher=[[CNN]]|access-date=February 9, 2008|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120808011138/http://articles.cnn.com/2000-11-10/entertainment/wb.madonna.album_1_mirwais-ahmadzai-disco-science-guy-oseary?_s=PM%3ASHOWBIZ |archive-date= August 8, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'' listed it among "[[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time]]".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |title=500 Greatest Albums of All Time |access-date=June 6, 2008 |archive-date=March 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301020434/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Commercially, the album peaked at number-one in numerous countries and sold more than 16&nbsp;million copies worldwide.<ref>{{harvnb|Taraborrelli|2002|p=303}}</ref> The album's lead single, "[[Frozen (Madonna song)|Frozen]]", became Madonna's first single to debut at number one in the UK, while in the US, it became her sixth number-two single, setting another record for Madonna as the artist with the most number-two hits.<ref name="ach" /><ref>{{harvnb|Metz|Benson|1999|p=167}}</ref> The second single, "[[Ray of Light (song)|Ray of Light]]", debuted at number five on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref>{{cite web|title=Madonna.com > Discography > Ray of Light |url=http://madonna.com/discography/index/album/albumId/7/ |publisher=Madonna.com |access-date=September 2, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100102021650/http://madonna.com/discography/index/album/albumId/7/ |archive-date=January 2, 2010}}</ref> The 1998 edition of ''[[Guinness World Records|Guinness Book of World Records]]'' documented that "no female artist has sold more records than Madonna around the world".<ref>{{harvnb|Glenday|1998|p=228}}</ref>

Madonna founded [[Ray of Light Foundation]] which focused on women, education, global development and humanitarian.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/glitzy-giving/madonna.html|title=Madonna|work=[[Inside Philanthropy]]|access-date=August 27, 2018|archive-date=August 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827075601/https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/glitzy-giving/madonna.html|url-status=live}}</ref> She recorded the single "[[Beautiful Stranger]]" for the 1999 film ''[[Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me]]'', which earned her a [[Grammy Award for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media]].<ref name="grammy">{{cite web|url=http://www.grammy.com/nominees/search?artist=Madonna&title=&year=All&genre=All|title=Grammy Award Winners – Madonna|publisher=[[National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences]]|access-date=May 27, 2008|archive-date=July 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711123539/http://www.grammy.com/nominees/search?artist=madonna&title=&year=All&genre=All|url-status=live}}</ref> Madonna starred in the 2000 [[comedy-drama]] film ''[[The Next Best Thing]]'', directed by [[John Schlesinger]]. The film opened at number two on the US box office with $5.9&nbsp;million grossed in its first week, but this quickly diminished.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=nextbestthing.htm|title=The Next Best Thing|publisher=Box Office Mojo|access-date=April 11, 2014|archive-date=April 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140401091040/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=nextbestthing.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> She also contributed two songs to the film's soundtrack—a cover of [[Don McLean]]'s 1971 song "[[American Pie (song)|American Pie]]" and an original song "Time Stood Still"—the former became her ninth UK number-one single.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/soldonsong/songlibrary/americanpie.shtml|title=Top 100 47: American Pie|publisher=[[BBC Radio 2]]|access-date=June 9, 2008|archive-date=May 21, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080521160606/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/soldonsong/songlibrary/americanpie.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>[[File:MadonnaDrownedWorld8 cropped.jpg|upright|thumb|right|Madonna performing at the 2001 [[Drowned World Tour]], the highest-grossing tour of the year by a solo artist|alt=A blond woman sitting on a block of hay. She is playing a guitar and singing in front of a standing microphone. She has short hair and wears gray-colored cowboy clothes.]]

Madonna released her eighth studio album, ''[[Music (Madonna album)|Music]]'', in September 2000.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Hé |first=Kristen S. |date=March 24, 2020 |title=Madonna in 2000: Reinventing Pop 'Music' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/madonna-in-2000-reinventing-pop-music-9341347/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=May 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519163943/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/madonna-in-2000-reinventing-pop-music-9341347/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It featured elements from the [[electronic dance music|electronica]]-inspired ''Ray of Light'' era, and like its predecessor, received acclaim from critics. Collaborating with French producer [[Mirwais Ahmadzaï]], Madonna commented: "I love to work with the weirdos that no one knows about—the people who have raw talent and who are making music unlike anyone else out there. ''Music'' is the future of sound."<ref name="bronmusic">{{harvnb|Bronson|2002|p=989}}</ref> [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] from [[AllMusic]] felt that "''Music'' blows by in a kaleidoscopic rush of color, technique, style and substance. It has so many depth and layers that it's easily as self-aware and earnest as ''Ray of Light''."<ref>{{harvnb|Erlewine|Bogdanov|Woodstra|2002|p=245}}</ref> The album took the number-one position in more than 20 countries worldwide and sold four million copies in the first ten days.<ref name="madonnasecret" /> In the US, ''Music'' debuted at the top, and became her first number-one album in eleven years since ''Like a Prayer''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/news/after-11-year-absence-madonnas-back-876212.story|title=After 11 Year Absence, Madonna's Back At No. 1|date=September 28, 2000|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 20, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111110063144/http://www.billboard.com/news/after-11-year-absence-madonnas-back-876212.story|archive-date=November 10, 2011}}</ref> It produced three singles: the Hot 100 number-one "[[Music (Madonna song)|Music]]", "[[Don't Tell Me (Madonna song)|Don't Tell Me]]", and "[[What It Feels Like for a Girl]]".<ref name="ach" /> The music video of "What It Feels Like for a Girl" depicted Madonna committing acts of crime and vandalism, and was banned by MTV and [[VH1]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2001/TECH/internet/03/23/madonna.video.idg/index.html?_s=PM:TECH|title=Controversial new Madonna video airs on the Web|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=March 23, 2001|access-date=June 9, 2008|last=Lee|first=Hann C.|archive-date=December 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201033010/http://edition.cnn.com/2001/TECH/internet/03/23/madonna.video.idg/index.html?_s=PM%3ATECH|url-status=live}}</ref>

Madonna met director [[Guy Ritchie]] in mid-1998, and gave birth to their son Rocco John Ritchie in Los Angeles on August 11, 2000.<ref>{{Cite news|date=August 11, 2000|title=Madonna Gives Birth to Baby Boy|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=116318&page=1|access-date=February 2, 2022|agency=ABC News|archive-date=February 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202031435/https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=116318&page=1|url-status=live}}</ref> Rocco and Madonna suffered complications from the birth due to her experiencing [[placenta praevia]].{{Sfn|Cross|2007|p=88}} He was christened at [[Dornoch Cathedral]] in [[Dornoch]], Scotland, on December 21, 2000.<ref>{{Cite news|date=December 21, 2000|title=Madonna's Son Baptized|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=111609&page=1|access-date=February 2, 2022|agency=ABC News|archive-date=October 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007094453/http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=111609&page=1|url-status=live}}</ref> Madonna married Ritchie the following day at nearby [[Skibo Castle]].<ref>{{harvnb|Cross|2007|pp=xix; 88–89}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Madonna's wedding will be the Highlands' biggest fling|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1377478/Madonnas-wedding-will-be-the-Highlands-biggest-fling.html?mobile=true|first1=Hugh|last1=Davies|first2=Philip|last2=Aldrick|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|location=London|date=December 8, 2000|access-date=May 8, 2014|archive-date=August 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805071510/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1377478/Madonnas-wedding-will-be-the-Highlands-biggest-fling.html?mobile=true|url-status=live}}</ref> After an eight-year absence from touring, Madonna started her [[Drowned World Tour]] in June 2001.<ref name="showstealer" /> The tour visited cities in the US and Europe and was the highest-grossing concert tour of the year by a solo artist, earning $75&nbsp;million from 47 sold-out shows.<ref name=grossdwt>{{cite magazine|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=December 29, 2001|title=The Year in Touring|magazine=Billboard|volume=113|issue=52|page=44|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> She also released her second greatest-hits collection, ''[[GHV2]]'', which compiled 15 singles during the second decade of her recording career. The album debuted at number seven on the ''Billboard'' 200 and sold seven million units worldwide.<ref name="allmusicghv2">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r559135|title=Madonna – GHV2|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|date=November 12, 2001|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=May 26, 2009|archive-date=November 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107150821/https://www.allmusic.com/album/ghv2-mw0001777679|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=https://business.highbeam.com/411456/article-1G1-170226619/warner-finds-solace-farewell-cd|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224000116/https://business.highbeam.com/411456/article-1G1-170226619/warner-finds-solace-farewell-cd|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 24, 2015|last=Arthington|first=Mirra|date=October 7, 2007|title=Warner finds solace in farewell CD|journal=Music Week|page=21|access-date=February 5, 2016}}</ref>

Madonna starred in the film ''[[Swept Away (2002 film)|Swept Away]]'', directed by Ritchie. Released [[direct-to-video]] in the UK, the film was a commercial and critical failure.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2426783.stm|title=Madonna flop goes straight to video|publisher=BBC|date=November 8, 2002|access-date=June 3, 2008|archive-date=September 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915210359/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2426783.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2002 she appeared in London in the [[West End theatre|West End]] play ''[[Up for Grabs (play)|Up for Grabs]]'' at the [[Wyndhams Theatre]] (billed as 'Madonna Ritchie'), to universally bad reviews and was described as "the evening's biggest disappointment" by one.<ref>{{cite news|first=Michael|last=Billington|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2002/may/24/theatre.artsfeatures2|title=Up for Grabs, Wyndham's Theatre, London Stage|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=December 7, 2012|date=May 25, 2002|archive-date=December 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216191855/http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2002/may/24/theatre.artsfeatures2|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/upforgrabs-rev|title=Theatre review: Up for Grabs at Wyndham's|publisher=Britishtheatreguide.info|access-date=December 7, 2012|archive-date=December 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222122039/http://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/upforgrabs-rev|url-status=live}}</ref> That October, she released "[[Die Another Day (song)|Die Another Day]]", the title song of the [[James Bond (film series)|James Bond]] film ''[[Die Another Day]]'', in which she also had a [[Cameo appearance|cameo role]], described by [[Peter Bradshaw]] from ''[[The Guardian]]'' as "incredibly wooden".<ref>{{cite news|first=Peter|last=Bradshaw|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2002/nov/15/artsfeatures.jamesbond|title=Film: Die Another Day|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=December 7, 2012|date=September 13, 2006|archive-date=December 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206215037/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2002/nov/15/artsfeatures.jamesbond|url-status=live}}</ref> The song reached number eight on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and was nominated for both a [[Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song]] and a [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Original Song]].<ref name="ach" />

=== 2003–2006: ''American Life'' and ''Confessions on a Dance Floor'' ===
[[File:ReInventionJason_(cropped2).jpg|thumb|left|upright|Madonna performing at the 2004 [[Re-Invention World Tour]], the highest-grossing tour of the year|alt=Madonna and her backup dancers in military constumes performing onstage with their right hands held upright into a fist.]]
In 2003, Madonna collaborated with fashion photographer [[Steven Klein (artist)|Steven Klein]] for an exhibition installation named X-STaTIC Pro=CeSS, which ran from March to May in New York's [[Deitch Projects]] gallery, and also traveled the world in an edited form.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Lieberman|first=Rhonda|title=Weighty Madonna: Rhonda Lieberman on 'X-STaTIC PRo=CeSS'|url=https://www.questia.com/magazine/1G1-101779141/weighty-madonna-rhonda-lieberman-on-x-static-pro-cess|date=May 9, 2003|magazine=Artforum International|publisher=[[BNET]]|access-date=January 5, 2017|url-access=subscription|archive-date=December 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201033056/https://www.questia.com/magazine/1G1-101779141/weighty-madonna-rhonda-lieberman-on-x-static-pro-cess|url-status=live}}</ref> The same year, Madonna released her ninth studio album, ''[[American Life]]'', which was based on her observations of American society.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/american-life|title=American Life by Madonna: Review|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=December 30, 2007|archive-date=April 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405221740/http://www.metacritic.com/music/american-life|url-status=live}}</ref> She explained that the record was "like a trip down memory lane, looking back at everything I've accomplished and all the things I once valued and all the things that were important to me." Larry Flick from ''[[The Advocate (LGBT magazine)|The Advocate]]'' felt that "''American Life'' is an album that is among her most adventurous and lyrically intelligent", while also condemning it as "a lazy, half-arsed effort to sound and take her seriously."<ref name="mtvamerican">{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/madonna/news_feature_042203/ |title=Madonna: Her American Life|date=April 9, 2003|access-date=May 26, 2010|last=Norris|first=John|publisher=[[MTV News]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030605140124/http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/madonna/news_feature_042203/ |archive-date=June 5, 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Flick|first=Larry|date=March 2003|title=All-American Girl |magazine=[[The Advocate (LGBT magazine)|The Advocate]]|issue=887|page=45|issn=0001-8996}}</ref> The original music video of its [[American Life (song)|title track]] caused controversy due to its violence and [[Anti-war movement|anti-war]] imagery, and was withdrawn after the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]] started. Madonna voluntarily censored herself for the first time in her career due to the political climate of the country, saying that "there was a lynch mob mentality that was going on that wasn't pretty and I have children to protect."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=124267|title=EXCLUSIVE: Madonna's Latest Makeover|date=January 6, 2006|publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|access-date=January 18, 2021|archive-date=January 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122184357/https://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=124267|url-status=live}}</ref> The song stalled at number 37 on the Hot 100,<ref name="ach" /> while the album became her lowest-selling album at that point with four million copies worldwide.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hastings|first=Chris |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1500733/Thank-you-for-the-music-How-Madonnas-new-single-will-give-Abba-their-greatest-ever-hit.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1500733/Thank-you-for-the-music-How-Madonnas-new-single-will-give-Abba-their-greatest-ever-hit.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Thank You For the Music! How Madonna's New Single Will Give Abba Their Greatest-Ever Hit|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=October 16, 2005|access-date=January 7, 2008|location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Madonna gave another provocative performance later that year at the [[2003 MTV Video Music Awards]], when she kissed singers [[Britney Spears]] and [[Christina Aguilera]] while singing the track "[[Hollywood (Madonna song)|Hollywood]]".<ref>{{cite news|last=Moss|first=Corey|date=August 28, 2003|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1477729/madonna-smooches-with-britney-and-christina-justin-coldplay-win-big-at-vmas/|title=Madonna Smooches With Britney And Christina|publisher=MTV|access-date=January 5, 2017|archive-date=July 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704163407/http://www.mtv.com/news/1477729/madonna-smooches-with-britney-and-christina-justin-coldplay-win-big-at-vmas/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Gardner|first=Elysa|date=August 28, 2003|title=Madonna, Spears, Aguilera shock at MTV Awards|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/awards/mtvmusicawards/2003-08-28-mtv-vma_x.htm|work=USA Today|access-date=January 5, 2017|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035434/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/awards/mtvmusicawards/2003-08-28-mtv-vma_x.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2003, she provided guest vocals on Spears' single "[[Me Against the Music]]".<ref>{{harvnb|Taraborrelli|2002|p=233}}</ref> It was followed with the release of ''[[Remixed & Revisited]]''. The EP contained remixed versions of songs from ''American Life'' and included "Your Honesty", a previously unreleased track from the ''Bedtime Stories'' recording sessions.<ref>{{harvnb|Brackett|Hoard|2004|p=304}}</ref> Madonna also signed a contract with [[Callaway Arts & Entertainment]] to be the author of five children's books. The first of these books, titled ''[[The English Roses]]'', was published in September 2003. The story was about four English schoolgirls and their envy and jealousy of each other.<ref>{{harvnb|Cross|2007|p=97}}</ref> The book debuted at the top of [[The New York Times Best Seller list|''The New York Times'' Best Seller list]], and became the fastest-selling children's picture book of all time.<ref name="womenworld">{{harvnb|Horton|Simmons|2007|pp=196–198}}</ref> Madonna donated all of its proceeds to a children's charity.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2003/09/26/why-madonnas-new-book-worth-checking-out/|title=Why Madonna's new book is worth checking out|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|first=Missy|last=Schwartz|date=September 26, 2003|access-date=June 14, 2020|archive-date=June 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614023952/https://ew.com/article/2003/09/26/why-madonnas-new-book-worth-checking-out/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The next year Madonna and Maverick sued [[Warner Music Group]] and its former parent company Time Warner, claiming that mismanagement of resources and poor bookkeeping had cost the company millions of dollars. In return, Warner filed a countersuit alleging that Maverick had lost tens of millions of dollars on its own.<ref name=labelsuit>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3570563.stm |title=Madonna's label sues record giant |publisher=BBC |date=March 26, 2004 |access-date=June 7, 2008 |archive-date=October 17, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017094500/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3570563.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/madonna-421-1337028|title=Madonna sells record company|magazine=[[NME]]|date=August 26, 2007 |archive-date= November 19, 2007|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071119022613/http://www.nme.com/news/madonna/30546|url-status=live|access-date= January 5, 2017}}</ref> The dispute was resolved when the Maverick shares, owned by Madonna and Ronnie Dashev, were purchased by Warner. Madonna and Dashev's company became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Warner Music, but Madonna was still signed to Warner under a separate recording contract.<ref name=labelsuit />

In mid-2004, Madonna embarked on the [[Re-Invention World Tour]] in the US, Canada and Europe. It became the highest-grossing tour of 2004, earning around $120&nbsp;million and became the subject of her documentary ''[[I'm Going to Tell You a Secret]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/65316/madonna-heads-list-of-years-top-tours|title=Madonna Heads List Of Year's Top Tours|date=January 2, 2005|access-date=March 29, 2014|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=August 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823202619/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/65316/madonna-heads-list-of-years-top-tours|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/im-going-to-tell-you-a-secret-r834380|title=Madonna – I'm Going to Tell You a Secret|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|date=June 12, 2006|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=October 30, 2009|archive-date=October 22, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022062115/http://www.allmusic.com/album/im-going-to-tell-you-a-secret-r834380|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2004, she was inducted into the [[UK Music Hall of Fame]] as one of its five founding members, along with [[the Beatles]], [[Elvis Presley]], [[Bob Marley]] and [[U2]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/cliff-richard-and-robbie-williams-join-british-musics-hall-of-fame-19889.html|title=Cliff Richard and Robbie Williams join British music's Hall of Fame|work=The Independent|first=Louise|last=Jury|date=November 12, 2004|access-date=March 12, 2014|location=London|archive-date=October 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017093947/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/cliff-richard-and-robbie-williams-join-british-musics-hall-of-fame-19889.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'' ranked her at number 36 on its special issue of the [[Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Artists of All Time|100 Greatest Artists of All Time]], featuring an article about her written by Britney Spears.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Immortals: The First Fifty|magazine=Rolling Stone|volume=1092|issue=22|issn=0035-791X |date=November 9, 2006}}</ref> In January 2005, Madonna performed a cover version of the [[John Lennon]] song "[[Imagine (John Lennon song)|Imagine]]" at [[Tsunami Aid]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-01-16/hollywood-music-stars-join-forces-in-tsunami/619556|title=Hollywood, music stars join forces in tsunami telethon|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Company]]|access-date=June 14, 2008|date=January 16, 2005|archive-date=September 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920095810/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-01-16/hollywood-music-stars-join-forces-in-tsunami/619556|url-status=live}}</ref> She also performed at the [[Live 8]] benefit concert in London in July 2005.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/thelive8event/|publisher=BBC|title=The Live 8 Event|access-date=June 14, 2008|archive-date=June 13, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050613234653/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/thelive8event/|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Quote box|width=25%|align=right|quote=When I wrote ''American Life'', I was very agitated by what was going on in the world around me, ... I was angry. I had a lot to get off my chest. I made a lot of political statements. But now, I feel that I just want to have fun; I want to dance; I want to feel buoyant. And I want to give other people the same feeling. There's a lot of madness in the world around us, and I want people to be happy.|source=—Madonna talking about ''Confessions on a Dance Floor''.<ref name="dq">{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/madonna/news_feature_051107/ |title=Madonna: Dancing Queen |last=Vineyard |first=Jennifer |date=November 7, 2005 |publisher=[[MTV News]] |access-date=July 1, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017015126/http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/madonna/news_feature_051107/ |archive-date=October 17, 2014 }}</ref>}}
[[File:HungUpFresno (cropped).jpg|alt=Madonna wearing sunglasses and a disco-inspired bodysuit performing|left|thumb|196x196px|Madonna at the [[Confessions Tour]] in 2006]]
Her tenth studio album, ''[[Confessions on a Dance Floor]]'', was released in November 2005. Musically the album was structured like a club set composed by a DJ. It was acclaimed by critics, with Keith Caulfield from ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' commenting that the album was a "welcome return to form for the Queen of Pop."<ref name="bbalbum">{{cite magazine|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=November 19, 2005|title=Albums: Confessions on a Dance Floor|magazine=Billboard|volume=117|issue=47|page=45|issn=0006-2510|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5RQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA45|access-date=July 27, 2009|archive-date=November 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107150814/https://books.google.com/books?id=5RQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA45#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> The album won a [[Grammy Award for Best Electronic/Dance Album]].<ref name="grammy" /> ''Confessions on a Dance Floor'' and its lead single, "[[Hung Up]]", went on to reach number one in 40 and 41 countries respectively, earning a place in ''Guinness World Records''.<ref name="guinness">{{harvnb|Glenday|2007|p=187}}</ref> The song contained a sample of [[ABBA]]'s "[[Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)]]", only the second time that ABBA has allowed their work to be used. ABBA songwriter [[Björn Ulvaeus]] remarked "It is a wonderful track—100 per cent solid pop music."<ref>{{cite news|title=Madonna 'begged' Abba for sample|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4354028.stm|publisher=BBC|access-date=September 2, 2012|date=October 18, 2005|archive-date=August 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805103920/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4354028.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> "[[Sorry (Madonna song)|Sorry]]", the second single, became Madonna's twelfth number-one single in the UK.<ref name="BBC" />

Madonna embarked on the [[Confessions Tour]] in May 2006, which had a global audience of 1.2&nbsp;million and grossed over $193.7&nbsp;million, becoming the highest-grossing tour to that date for a female artist.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/57197/madonnas-confessions-tour-sets-record|title=Madonna's 'Confessions' Tour Sets Record|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=September 4, 2006|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 24, 2010|archive-date=July 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712034331/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/57197/madonnas-confessions-tour-sets-record|url-status=live}}</ref> Madonna used religious symbols, such as the [[crucifix]] and [[Crown of Thorns]], in the performance of "Live to Tell". It caused the [[Russian Orthodox Church]] and the [[Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia]] to urge all their members to boycott her concert.<ref>{{cite news|title=Boycott of Madonna Moscow concert urged|work=[[J. The Jewish News of Northern California]]|date=August 18, 2006|access-date=January 21, 2008|url=http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/30080/boycott-of-madonna-moscow-concert-urged/|publisher=The Emanu-El|last=Khyam|first=Omar|archive-date=August 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811015418/http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/30080/boycott-of-madonna-moscow-concert-urged/|url-status=live}}</ref> At the same time, the [[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry]] (IFPI) announced officially that Madonna had sold over 200&nbsp;million copies of her albums alone worldwide.<ref name="ifpi.org">{{Cite press release|url=http://www.ifpi.org/content/section_news/plat_month_20060913.html |title=Keane, Shakira, Coldplay and Madonna scoop summer Platinum Awards|publisher=[[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry]]|date=September 13, 2006|access-date=November 10, 2017|archive-date=November 4, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061104041040/http://www.ifpi.org/content/section_news/plat_month_20060913.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

While on tour, Madonna founded the charitable organization [[Raising Malawi]], and partially funded an orphanage in and traveling to that country.<ref>{{Cite news|date=October 9, 2006|title=Madonna In Malawi|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/madonna-in-malawi/|access-date=April 27, 2021|publisher=CBS News|archive-date=April 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427221119/https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/madonna-in-malawi/|url-status=live}}</ref> While there, she decided to adopt a boy named David Banda in October 2006.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6039380.stm|title=Madonna 'adopts child in Africa'|date=October 11, 2006|publisher=BBC|access-date=December 31, 2014|archive-date=October 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017094624/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6039380.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> The adoption raised strong public reaction, because Malawian law requires would-be parents to reside in Malawi for one year before adopting, which Madonna did not do.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/05/04/madonna.adoption/index.html|title=Madonna's adoption appeal begins in Malawi|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=April 4, 2009|access-date=February 24, 2010|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304041504/http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/05/04/madonna.adoption/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Kate Kainja]], Malawi's Minister of Women and Child Development had prevented a civil servant from travelling to see Madonna and Guy Ritchie as prospective adopters.<ref name=katek>{{Cite news |date=August 2007 |title=Madonna's adoption of Malawi boy hits snag |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyle/madonnas-adoption-of-malawi-boy-hits-snag-idUSL05459475/ |access-date=7 May 2025 |work=Reuters}}</ref> Madonna addressed this on ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]'', saying that there were no written adoption laws in Malawi that regulated foreign adoption. Madonna described how Banda had been suffering from [[pneumonia]] after surviving [[malaria]] and [[tuberculosis]] when they first met.<ref>{{cite news|first=Ed|last=Pilkington|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/oct/26/arts.usa|title=Confessions on a TV show: Oprah hears Madonna's side of the story|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=June 9, 2008|date=October 26, 2006|archive-date=October 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017093830/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/oct/26/arts.usa|url-status=live}}</ref> Banda's biological father, Yohane, commented: "These so-called human rights activists are harassing me every day, threatening me that I am not aware of what I am doing ... They want me to support their court case, a thing I cannot do for I know what I agreed with Madonna and her husband." The adoption was finalized in May 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-10-23-madonna-oprah_x.htm?csp=27|title=Madonna speaks out over furor|newspaper=USA Today|last=Thomas|first=Karen|date=October 26, 2006|access-date=June 14, 2008|archive-date=March 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327234745/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-10-23-madonna-oprah_x.htm?csp=27|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/12/court-rules-that-madonna-may-adopt-malawi-girl/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0|title=Court Rules That Madonna May Adopt Malawi Girl|last=Itzkoff|first=David|date=June 12, 2009|access-date=March 29, 2014|newspaper=The New York Times|archive-date=January 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112210954/http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/12/court-rules-that-madonna-may-adopt-malawi-girl/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2007–2011: Filmmaking, ''Hard Candy'', and business ventures ===
Madonna released and performed the song "[[Hey You (Madonna song)|Hey You]]" at the [[Live Earth concert, London|London Live Earth concert]] in July 2007.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Mark|last=Sutherland|date=July 7, 2007|title=Live Earth London Wraps With Madonna Spectacular|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1051072/live-earth-london-wraps-with-madonna-spectacular|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 31, 2016|archive-date=December 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161216124605/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1051072/live-earth-london-wraps-with-madonna-spectacular|url-status=live}}</ref> She announced her departure from Warner Bros. Records, and declared a new $120&nbsp;million, ten-year [[360 deal]] with [[Live Nation]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1048045/update-madonna-confirms-deal-with-live-nation|title=Update: Madonna Confirms Deal With Live Nation|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=October 16, 2007|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 25, 2010|archive-date=February 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130211095738/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1048045/update-madonna-confirms-deal-with-live-nation|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2008, Madonna produced and wrote ''[[I Am Because We Are]]'', a documentary on the problems faced by Malawians; it was directed by Nathan Rissman, who worked as Madonna's gardener.<ref name=iabwa>{{cite news|first=Mark|last=Brown|date=May 23, 2008|title=Acclaim for Madonna's Malawi documentary|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/may/23/cannesfilmfestival.popandrock|location=London|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=December 31, 2016|archive-date=October 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017093827/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/may/23/cannesfilmfestival.popandrock|url-status=live}}</ref> She also directed her first film, ''[[Filth and Wisdom]]''. The plot of the film revolved around three friends and their aspirations. ''The Times'' said she had "done herself proud" while ''The Daily Telegraph'' described the film as "not an entirely unpromising first effort [but] Madonna would do well to hang on to her day job."<ref>{{cite web|last=Christopher|first=James|date=February 14, 2008|title=Review: Madonna's Filth and Wisdom |url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/film_reviews/article3364108.ece |access-date=December 31, 2016 |url-access=subscription |location=London|work=[[The Times]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510113457/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/film_reviews/article3364108.ece|archive-date=May 10, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Filth and Wisdom: Don't give up the day job, Madonna|work=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/3671154/Filth-and-Wisdom-Dont-give-up-the-day-job-Madonna.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/3671154/Filth-and-Wisdom-Dont-give-up-the-day-job-Madonna.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=June 14, 2008 |last=Johnston|first=Sheila|location=London|date=February 14, 2008}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On March 10, 2008, Madonna was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in her first year of eligibility.<ref name="rsinducted">{{cite magazine|date=September 27, 2007|first=Jonathan|last=Cohen|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1048851/madonna-beasties-mellencamp-up-for-rock-hall|title=Madonna, Beasties, Mellencamp Up For Rock Hall|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 31, 2016|archive-date=December 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161216013847/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1048851/madonna-beasties-mellencamp-up-for-rock-hall|url-status=live}}</ref> She did not sing at the ceremony but asked fellow Hall of Fame inductees and Michigan natives [[the Stooges]] to perform her songs "Burning Up" and "Ray of Light".<ref>{{cite news|title=Madonna Has Her Say At Rock Hall Ceremony|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/madonna-has-her-say-at-rock-hall-ceremony/|date=March 10, 2008|publisher=[[CBS News]]|access-date=December 31, 2016|archive-date=December 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223064734/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/madonna-has-her-say-at-rock-hall-ceremony/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:HumanNature2009 (cropped) 2.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Madonna performing on the 2009 leg of the [[Sticky & Sweet Tour]] which held the record for the highest-grossing tour for a female artist for 15 years|alt=Madonna playing a guitar onstage singing in front of a microphone. She wears a black leotard and white hat with boots.]]
Madonna released her eleventh studio album, ''[[Hard Candy (Madonna album)|Hard Candy]]'', in April 2008. Containing [[contemporary R&B|R&B]] and [[Urban contemporary|urban pop]] influences, the songs on ''Hard Candy'' were autobiographical in nature and saw Madonna collaborating with [[Justin Timberlake]], [[Timbaland]], [[Pharrell Williams]] and [[Danja (record producer)|Nate "Danja" Hills]].<ref name="timbalandhot">{{cite news|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|date=August 8, 2007|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1566579/timbaland-talks-about-his-and-justin-timberlakes-hot-collabo-with-madonna/|title=Timbaland Talks About His And Justin Timberlake's 'Hot' Collabo With Madonna|publisher=MTV|archive-date=October 1, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001063705/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1566579/20070807/timbaland.jhtml|url-status=dead|access-date=December 31, 2016}}</ref> The album debuted at number one in 37 countries and on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=4909856&page=1|title=Madonna's Latest Transformation: Crusading Filmmaker|last1=McFadden|first1=Cynthia|last2=Sherwood|first2=Roxanna|last3=Escherich|first3=Katie|date=May 23, 2008|access-date=March 6, 2021|publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516115209/https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=4909856&page=1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045488/madonna-leads-busy-billboard-200-with-7th-no-1|title=Madonna Leads Busy Billboard 200 with 7th #1|magazine=Billboard|last=Hasty|first=Katie|date=May 7, 2008|access-date=January 1, 2017|archive-date=May 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523062750/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045488/madonna-leads-busy-billboard-200-with-7th-no-1|url-status=live}}</ref> Caryn Ganz from ''Rolling Stone'' complimented it as an "impressive taste of her upcoming tour",<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/madonna-debuts-hard-candy-with-justin-timberlake-at-new-york-club-show-20080501|title=Madonna Debuts ''Hard Candy'' With Justin Timberlake at New York Club Show|magazine=Rolling Stone|first=Caryn|last=Ganz|date=May 1, 2008|access-date=December 31, 2016|archive-date=April 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422144459/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/madonna-debuts-hard-candy-with-justin-timberlake-at-new-york-club-show-20080501|url-status=dead}}</ref> while BBC correspondent Mark Savage panned it as "an attempt to harness the urban market".<ref>{{cite news|last=Savage|first=Mark|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7336448.stm|title=Review: Madonna's Hard Candy|publisher=BBC|date=April 8, 2008|access-date=January 1, 2017|archive-date=April 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414214003/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7336448.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

"[[4 Minutes]]" was released as the album's lead single and peaked at number three on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. It was Madonna's 37th top-ten hit on the chart and pushed her past [[Elvis Presley]] as the artist with the most top-ten hits.<ref name="mariahmadonna">{{cite magazine|date=April 2, 2008|first=Silvio|last=Pietroluongo|title=Mariah, Madonna Make Billboard Chart History|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045998/mariah-madonna-make-billboard-chart-history|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 31, 2016|archive-date=June 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629212719/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045998/mariah-madonna-make-billboard-chart-history|url-status=live}}</ref> In the UK she retained her record for the most number-one singles for a female artist; "4 Minutes" becoming her thirteenth.<ref>{{cite news|last=Schmidt|first=Veronica|date=April 21, 2008|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article3789058.ece|title=Madonna Goes to No. 1 For the 13th Time|location=London|website=The Times|access-date=December 31, 2016|url-access=subscription|archive-date=July 19, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719031639/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article3789058.ece|url-status=dead}}</ref> To further promote the album, she embarked on the [[Sticky & Sweet Tour]], her first major venture with Live Nation. With a total gross of $408&nbsp;million, it ended up as the second [[List of highest-grossing concert tours|highest-grossing tour of all time]], behind [[the Rolling Stones]]'s [[A Bigger Bang Tour]].<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Ray|last=Waddell|date=January 30, 2009|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/269509/madonna-resuming-sticky-sweet-tour-this-summer|title=Madonna Resuming Sticky & Sweet Tour This Summer|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 31, 2016|archive-date=December 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161216100733/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/269509/madonna-resuming-sticky-sweet-tour-this-summer|url-status=live}}</ref> It remained the highest-grossing tour by a solo artist until [[Roger Waters]]' [[The Wall Live (2010–2013)|the Wall Live]] surpassed it in 2013.<ref name="The Wall Live">{{cite magazine|first=Bob|last=Allen|date=October 4, 2013|title=Roger Waters Passes Madonna For Solo Boxscore Record With 459&nbsp;m Wall Live|url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/5748070/roger-waters-passes-madonna-for-solo-boxscore-record-with-459m-wall-live|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 31, 2016|archive-date=June 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190614073359/https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/5748070/roger-waters-passes-madonna-for-solo-boxscore-record-with-459m-wall-live|url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2008, [[Christopher Ciccone]] released a book titled ''[[Life with My Sister Madonna]]'', which caused a rift between Madonna and him, because of unsolicited publication.<ref>{{cite news|title=Madonna's brother's book explores Guy Ritchie marriage|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/2279132/Madonnas-brothers-book-explores-Guy-Ritchie-marriage.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/2279132/Madonnas-brothers-book-explores-Guy-Ritchie-marriage.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=July 10, 2008|access-date=January 1, 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> By fall, Madonna filed for divorce from Ritchie, citing irreconcilable differences.<ref>{{cite news|title=Madonna and Ritchie Confirm Split|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7672083.stm|work=BBC News|date=October 16, 2008|access-date=November 15, 2008|archive-date=September 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918093615/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7672083.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2008, Madonna's spokesperson announced that Madonna had agreed to a divorce settlement with Ritchie, the terms of which granted him between [[List of most expensive divorces|£50–60&nbsp;million]] (${{to USD|50|GBR}}–{{to USD|60|GBR}}&nbsp;million), a figure that included the couple's [[The Punch Bowl (Mayfair)|London pub]] and residence and [[Ashcombe House, Wiltshire|Wiltshire estate]] in England.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7784519.stm|title=Madonna gives Guy £50m in divorce|work=BBC News|date=December 15, 2008|access-date=March 19, 2010|archive-date=February 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215095900/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7784519.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> The marriage was dissolved by District Judge Reid by ''[[decree nisi]]'' at the clinical Principal Registry of the Family Division in [[High Holborn]], London. They entered a compromise agreement for Rocco and David, then aged eight and three respectively, and divided the children's time between Ritchie's London home and Madonna's in New York, where the two were joined by Lourdes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/nov/22/madonna-guy-ritchie-divorce|title=Madonna and Ritchie granted quickie divorce|first=Jo|last=Adetunji|newspaper=The Guardian|date=November 22, 2008|access-date=March 19, 2010|archive-date=July 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729175438/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/nov/22/madonna-guy-ritchie-divorce|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/11/21/madonna.ritchie.divorce/?iref=hpmostpop|title=Madonna, Ritchie granted quick divorce|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=December 15, 2008|access-date=March 19, 2010|archive-date=May 22, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522170101/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/11/21/madonna.ritchie.divorce/?iref=hpmostpop|url-status=live}}</ref> Soon after, Madonna applied to adopt Chifundo "Mercy" James from Malawi in May 2009, but the country's High Court rejected the application because Madonna was not a resident there.<ref name="mercyjames">{{cite news|first1=Mabvuto|last1=Banda|first2=Michael|last2=Georgy|date=May 25, 2009|editor-first=Louise|editor-last=Ireland|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/269052/madonna-loses-adoption-bid-in-malawi|title=Madonna Loses Adoption Bid in Malawi|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|agency=Reuters|access-date=January 1, 2017|archive-date=December 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161216073758/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/269052/madonna-loses-adoption-bid-in-malawi|url-status=live}}</ref> She re-appealed, and on June 12, 2009, the Supreme Court of Malawi granted her the right to adopt Mercy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/madonna-wins-adoption-battle/|title=Madonna Wins Adoption Battle|publisher=[[CBS News]]|date=June 12, 2009|access-date=January 1, 2017|archive-date=January 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170125213331/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/madonna-wins-adoption-battle/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Madonna concluded her contract with Warner by releasing her third greatest-hits album, ''[[Celebration (Madonna album)|Celebration]]'', in September 2009. It contained the new songs "[[Celebration (Madonna song)|Celebration]]" and "[[Revolver (song)|Revolver]]" along with 34 hits spanning her musical career with the label.<ref name="celebraterelease">{{cite magazine|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=July 23, 2009|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267968/madonnas-celebration-hits-collection-to-feature-two-new-songs|title=Madonna's ''Celebration'' Hits Collection to Feature Two New Songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 23, 2009|archive-date=June 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629175333/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267968/madonnas-celebration-hits-collection-to-feature-two-new-songs|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Celebration'' reached number one in several countries, including Canada, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Sexton|first=Paul|date=October 2, 2009|title=Madonna's ''Celebration'' Tops Euro Chart|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267210/madonnas-celebration-tops-euro-chart|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 20, 2016|archive-date=March 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313203949/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267210/madonnas-celebration-tops-euro-chart|url-status=live}}</ref> She appeared at the [[2009 MTV Video Music Awards]] to speak in tribute to deceased pop singer [[Michael Jackson]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Crosley|first1=Hillary|first2=Gil|last2=Kaufman|date=September 13, 2009|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1621390/madonna-pays-tearful-tribute-to-michael-jackson-at-2009-vmas/|title=Madonna Pays Tearful Tribute To Michael Jackson At 2009 VMAs|publisher=[[MTV News]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091004084438/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1621390/20090913/jackson_michael.jhtml|archive-date=October 4, 2009|access-date=January 1, 2017}}</ref> Madonna ended the 2000s as the bestselling single artist of the decade in the US and the most-played artist of the decade in the UK.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/decadeendcharts/2009/singles-sales-artists|title=Decade End Charts: Singles Sales Artists|magazine=Billboard|year=2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121227231038/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/decadeendcharts/2009/singles-sales-artists|archive-date=December 27, 2012|access-date=January 1, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8603409.stm|title=Madonna 'most played' artist of decade|work=BBC News|date=April 5, 2010|access-date=November 13, 2010|archive-date=December 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201033746/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8603409.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Billboard'' also announced her as the third top-touring artist of the decade—behind only the Rolling Stones and [[U2]]—with a gross of over $801&nbsp;million, 6.3&nbsp;million attendance and 244 sell-outs of 248 shows.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Top Touring Artists of the Decade|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266415/top-touring-artists-of-the-decade|magazine=Billboard|date=December 11, 2009|access-date=January 1, 2017|archive-date=March 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316061805/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266415/top-touring-artists-of-the-decade|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File: Madonna @ 69th Annual Golden Globes Awards cropped (cropped).jpg|thumb|Madonna receiving the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song]] in 2012|alt=Madonna in a gown, holding an award statue in her left hand, talking to a standing microphone.]]
Madonna performed at the [[Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief]] concert in January 2010.<ref>{{cite news|last=Johnston|first=Maura|author-link=Maura Johnston |date=January 22, 2010|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1630335/madonna-brings-classic-like-a-prayer-to-hope-for-haiti-now-telethon/|title=Madonna Brings Classic 'Like A Prayer' To ''Hope for Haiti Now'' Telethon|publisher=[[MTV News]]|access-date=January 1, 2017|archive-date=September 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923023954/http://www.mtv.com/news/1630335/madonna-brings-classic-like-a-prayer-to-hope-for-haiti-now-telethon/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Her third live album, ''[[Sticky & Sweet Tour (album)|Sticky & Sweet Tour]]'', was released in April, debuting at number ten on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref name="bbalbums" /> It also became her 20th top-ten on the [[Oricon Albums Chart]], breaking the Beatles' record for the most top-ten album by an international act in Japan.<ref name="japanrecord">{{cite news|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/75011/full/|title=マドンナ、TOP10入り獲得数20作でザ・ビートルズ抜き歴代単独1位|language=ja|publisher=[[Oricon]]|date=April 6, 2010|access-date=January 1, 2017|archive-date=May 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521060952/http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/75011/full/|url-status=live}}</ref> Madonna granted American television show, ''[[Glee (TV series)|Glee]]'', the rights to her entire catalog of music, and the producers created [[The Power of Madonna|an episode]] featuring her songs exclusively.<ref name="EW">{{cite magazine|last=Stack|first=Tim|date=October 21, 2009|url=https://ew.com/article/2009/10/21/glee-exlcusive-madonna-is-in-is-adam-lambert-next/|title=''Glee'' Exclusive: Madonna is on board! Is Adam Lambert next?|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=January 1, 2017|archive-date=March 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323100815/http://www.ew.com/article/2009/10/21/glee-exlcusive-madonna-is-in-is-adam-lambert-next|url-status=live}}</ref> She also collaborated with Lourdes and released the [[Madonna fashion brands|Material Girl]] clothing line, inspired by her punk-girl style when she rose to fame in the 1980s.<ref name="mgclothing">{{cite news|first=Jill|last=Serjeant|editor-first=Bob|editor-last=Tourtellotte|date=August 20, 2010|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-madonna-idUSTRE67J3YP20100820|title=Madonna sued over 'Material Girl' clothing line|work=[[Reuters]]|access-date=January 1, 2017|archive-date=January 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102081443/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-madonna-idUSTRE67J3YP20100820|url-status=live}}</ref> In October, she opened a series of fitness centers around the world named [[Hard Candy Fitness]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Lee|first=Joyce|date=October 26, 2010|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/madonna-to-open-hard-candy-gym-chain/|title=Madonna to Open ''Hard Candy'' Gym Chain|access-date=January 1, 2017|publisher=[[CBS News]]|archive-date=September 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916095708/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/madonna-to-open-hard-candy-gym-chain/|url-status=live}}</ref> and three months later unveiled a second fashion brand called [[Truth or Dare by Madonna|Truth or Dare]] which included footwear, perfumes, underclothing, and accessories.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.madonna.com/news/title/madonna-and-mg-icon-announce-the-launch-of-the-truth-or-dare-by-madonna-brand-|title=Madonna And MG Icon Announce The Launch of The 'Truth or Dare by Madonna' Brand|date=November 3, 2011|publisher=Madonna.com|access-date=January 1, 2017|archive-date=April 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404032134/http://www.madonna.com/news/title/madonna-and-mg-icon-announce-the-launch-of-the-truth-or-dare-by-madonna-brand-|url-status=live}}</ref>

Madonna directed her second feature film, ''[[W.E.]]'', a [[biographical film|biographical account]] about the affair between [[Edward VIII of the United Kingdom|King Edward VIII]] and [[Wallis, Duchess of Windsor|Wallis Simpson]]. Co-written with [[Alek Keshishian]], the film was premiered at the [[68th Venice International Film Festival]] in September 2011.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2010/film/markets-festivals/madonna-directing-w-e-1118015190/|title=Madonna directing 'W.E.'|last=Jafaar|first=Ali|date=February 13, 2010|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=February 15, 2010|archive-date=November 26, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126224408/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118015190?refCatId=16|url-status=live}}</ref> Critical and commercial response to the film was negative.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/we|title=W.E. Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic|publisher=Metacritic|date=December 9, 2011|access-date=May 13, 2012|archive-date=May 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514012038/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/we|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/we_2011/|title=W.E.|website=Rotten Tomatoes|date=May 2, 2012|access-date=May 13, 2012|archive-date=May 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120507151242/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/we_2011/|url-status=live}}</ref> Madonna contributed the ballad "[[Masterpiece (Madonna song)|Masterpiece]]" for the film's soundtrack, which won her a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1677336/golden-globes-2012-madonna-best-original-song-masterpiece.jhtml|title=Madonna's 'Masterpiece' Wins The Golden Globe|access-date=January 16, 2012|date=January 15, 2012|publisher=[[MTV News]]|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|archive-date=May 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130519170133/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1677336/golden-globes-2012-madonna-best-original-song-masterpiece.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== 2012–2016: Super Bowl XLVI halftime show, ''MDNA'', and ''Rebel Heart'' ===
[[File:2012 Super Bowl halftime show (6844800645).jpg|thumb|left|Madonna, joined by [[Cee Lo Green]] and a [[marching band]], performing during the [[Super Bowl XLVI halftime show]] on February 5, 2012|alt=A groupe of performers onstage, with Madonna and Cee Lo Green at the front. They are all wearing black costumes with red and white stripes.]]
In February 2012, Madonna headlined the [[Super Bowl XLVI halftime show]] at the [[Lucas Oil Stadium]] in [[Indianapolis]], Indiana.<ref name="nfl12">{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/super-bowl-xlvi-halftime-show-will-feature-madonna-09000d5d824bf8ea|title=Super Bowl XLVI Halftime show featured Madonna|date=December 4, 2011|publisher=[[National Football League]]|access-date=December 5, 2011|archive-date=January 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107053712/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d824bf8ea/article/super-bowl-xlvi-halftime-show-will-feature-madonna|url-status=live}}</ref> Her performance was visualized by [[Cirque Du Soleil]] and [[Jamie King]], and featured special guests [[LMFAO]], [[Nicki Minaj]], [[M.I.A. (rapper)|M.I.A.]] and [[CeeLo Green]]. It became the then most-watched Super Bowl halftime show in history with 114&nbsp;million viewers, higher than the game itself.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bauder|first=David|url=https://vancouversun.com/sports/football/super-bowl/Super+Bowl+most+watched+show+history+draws+record+million+viewers/6109753/story.html|title=Super Bowl most watched TV show in U.S. history, draws record 111.3 million viewers|work=Vancouver Sun|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208221945/http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/football/super-bowl/Super%2BBowl%2Bmost%2Bwatched%2Bshow%2Bhistory%2Bdraws%2Brecord%2Bmillion%2Bviewers/6109753/story.html|archive-date=February 8, 2012|date=February 6, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> During the event, she performed "[[Give Me All Your Luvin']]", the lead single from her twelfth studio album, ''[[MDNA (album)|MDNA]]''. It became her record-extending 38th top-ten single on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/505114/madonna-scores-record-extending-38th-hot-100-top-10|title=Madonna Scores Record-Extending 38th Hot 100 Top 10|magazine=Billboard|date=September 14, 2009|access-date=February 26, 2012|archive-date=March 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329105138/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/505114/madonna-scores-record-extending-38th-hot-100-top-10|url-status=live}}</ref>

''MDNA'' was released in March 2012 and saw collaboration with various producers, including William Orbit and [[Martin Solveig]].<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-material-girl-is-back-on-the-dance-floor-138285024.html|title=The Material Girl is Back on the Dance Floor|publisher=Interscope Records|agency=[[PR Newswire]]|date=January 29, 2012|access-date=January 29, 2012|archive-date=September 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906230647/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-material-girl-is-back-on-the-dance-floor-138285024.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It was her first release under her three-album deal with [[Interscope Records]], which she signed as a part of her 360 deal with Live Nation.<ref name="InterscopeDeal">{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/madonna-interscope-live-nation-deal-273943|title=Madonna's Interscope-Live Nation Deal Worth $40 Million; Album Due Out in March|author=Halperin, Shirley|date=December 15, 2011|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=December 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107195417/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/madonna-interscope-live-nation-deal-273943|archive-date=January 7, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> She was signed to the record label since Live Nation was unable to distribute music recordings.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7385849/live-nation-michael-rapino-upselling-360-deals|title=Live Nation's Michael Rapino Wants to Upsell You, Talks Streaming and Madonna-Like 360 Deals|date=May 26, 2016|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 28, 2018|archive-date=May 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529135107/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7385849/live-nation-michael-rapino-upselling-360-deals|url-status=live}}</ref> ''MDNA'' became Madonna's fifth consecutive studio record to debut at the top of the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/497329/madonna-debuts-at-no-1-on-billboard-200-lionel-richie-at-no-2|title=Madonna Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200, Lionel Richie at No. 2|magazine=Billboard|date=September 14, 2009|access-date=April 7, 2012|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|archive-date=March 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330220114/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/497329/madonna-debuts-at-no-1-on-billboard-200-lionel-richie-at-no-2|url-status=live}}</ref> The album was mostly promoted by [[the MDNA Tour]], which lasted from May to December 2012.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Cadan|first=Dan|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/madonna-kicks-off-mdna-tour-in-tel-aviv-20120601|title=Madonna Kicks Off 'MDNA' Tour in Tel Aviv|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=June 1, 2012|access-date=June 7, 2012|archive-date=October 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025132401/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/madonna-kicks-off-mdna-tour-in-tel-aviv-20120601|url-status=dead}}</ref> The tour featured controversial subjects such as violence, firearms, human rights, nudity and politics. With a gross of $305.2&nbsp;million from 88 sold-out shows, it became the highest-grossing tour of 2012 and then-tenth highest-grossing tour of all time.<ref name="mdna boxscore">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1526267/madonnas-mdna-tour-makes-billboard-boxscores-all-time-top-10|title=Madonna's 'MDNA' Tour Makes Billboard Boxscore's All-Time Top 10|magazine=Billboard|first=Ray|last=Waddell|date=January 24, 2013|access-date=May 19, 2013|archive-date=February 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201084714/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1526267/madonnas-mdna-tour-makes-billboard-boxscores-all-time-top-10|url-status=live}}</ref> Madonna was named the top-earning celebrity of the year by ''[[Forbes]],'' earning an estimated $125&nbsp;million.<ref name="earning2013">{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/gossip/la-et-mg-madonna-top-earning-celebrity-2013-forbes-mdna-20130828,0,2147727.story|title=Madonna is Forbes' top-earning celebrity thanks to MDNA tour|first=Nardine|last=Saad|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=August 28, 2013|access-date=August 31, 2013|archive-date=August 31, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130831002536/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/gossip/la-et-mg-madonna-top-earning-celebrity-2013-forbes-mdna-20130828,0,2147727.story|url-status=live}}</ref>

Madonna collaborated with Steven Klein and directed a 17-minute film, ''[[secretprojectrevolution]]'', which was released on [[BitTorrent (company)|BitTorrent]] in September 2013.<ref name="Hive">{{cite web|title=BitTorrent and Madonna join forces for free speech|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/2048892/bittorrent-and-madonna-join-forces-for-free-speech.html|work=[[PC World]]|access-date=September 23, 2013|first=Caitlin|last=McGarry|date=September 17, 2013|archive-date=January 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124132810/http://www.pcworld.com/article/2048892/bittorrent-and-madonna-join-forces-for-free-speech.html|url-status=live}}</ref> With the film she launched the Art for Freedom initiative, which helped to promote "art and free speech as a means to address persecution and injustice across the globe". The website for the project included over 3,000 art related submissions since its inception, with Madonna regularly monitoring and enlisting other artists like [[David Blaine]] and [[Katy Perry]] as guest curators.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/madonna-names-katy-perry-art-for-freedom-guest-curator-20140107|title=Madonna Names Katy Perry Art for Freedom Guest Curator|last=Blistein|first=John|date=January 7, 2014|access-date=May 23, 2014|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612163423/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/madonna-names-katy-perry-art-for-freedom-guest-curator-20140107|url-status=dead}}</ref>

By 2013, Madonna's [[Raising Malawi]] had built ten schools to educate 4,000 children in Malawi at a value of $400,000.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Goldstein |first1=Sasha |title=Madonna sends Malawi president an error-filled handwritten letter, leaves the country without meeting Joyce Banda |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/madonna-leaves-malawi-charity-visit-article-1.1310137 |website=Daily News|location=New York |access-date=March 22, 2021 |date=April 7, 2013 |archive-date=April 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415170353/https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/madonna-leaves-malawi-charity-visit-article-1.1310137 |url-status=live }}</ref> When Madonna visited the schools in April 2013, [[President of Malawi]] [[Joyce Banda]] accused her of exaggerating the charity's contribution.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22103748|title=Malawi labels Madonna a 'bully' after recent visit|publisher=BBC|date=April 11, 2013|access-date=April 11, 2013|archive-date=April 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130411013747/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22103748|url-status=live}}</ref> Madonna was saddened by Banda's statement, but clarified that she had "no intention of being distracted by these ridiculous allegations". It was later confirmed that Banda had not approved the statement released by her press team.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/apr/12/malawi-president-attack-madonna-goof|title=Malawi president's attack on Madonna said to be a 'goof'|date=April 12, 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=April 15, 2013|first1=Godfrey|last1=Mapondera|first2=David|last2=Smith|archive-date=August 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827004300/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/apr/12/malawi-president-attack-madonna-goof|url-status=live}}</ref> Madonna also visited her hometown Detroit during May 2014, and donated funds to help with the city's [[Detroit bankruptcy|bankruptcy]].<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Madonna Aims to Help Detroit Hometown by Funding Charities|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/madonna-aims-to-help-detroit-hometown-by-funding-organizations-20140630|last=Grow|first=Kory|date=June 30, 2014|access-date=July 1, 2014|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|archive-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004191615/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/madonna-aims-to-help-detroit-hometown-by-funding-organizations-20140630|url-status=dead}}</ref> The same year, her business ventures extended to [[skin care]] products with the launch of [[Madonna fashion brands#MDNA Skin|MDNA Skin]] in Tokyo, Japan.<ref name="skin">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-hook/5901239/madonna-premiering-skin-care-brand-in-japan|title=Madonna Premiering Skin Care Brand in Japan|last=Rutherford|first=Kevin|date=February 14, 2014|access-date=February 14, 2014|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=March 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302044928/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-hook/5901239/madonna-premiering-skin-care-brand-in-japan|url-status=live}}</ref>

Madonna's thirteenth studio album, ''[[Rebel Heart]]'', was released in March 2015, three months after its thirteen [[Demo (music)|demos]] leaked onto the internet.<ref name="ggtheft">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/dec/21/madonna-album-hack-living-state-terror|title=Madonna: I did not say, 'Hey, here's my music, and it's finished.' It was theft|last=Petridis|first=Alexis|date=December 21, 2014|access-date=December 22, 2014|newspaper=The Guardian|archive-date=December 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221231056/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/dec/21/madonna-album-hack-living-state-terror|url-status=live}}</ref> Unlike her previous efforts, which involved only a few people, Madonna worked with a large number of collaborators, including [[Avicii]], [[Diplo (producer)|Diplo]] and [[Kanye West]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/my-seven-minute-speed-date-interview-with-madonna/article16897104/|title=My seven-minute, speed-date interview with Madonna|first=Sarah|last=Hampson|date=February 14, 2014|access-date=March 1, 2014|work=[[The Globe and Mail]]|location=Toronto|archive-date=March 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317111230/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/my-seven-minute-speed-date-interview-with-madonna/article16897104/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Madonna hits studio with Kills|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/music/news/madonna-hits-studio-with-kills-30177378.html|work=[[The Belfast Telegraph]]|date=November 4, 2014|access-date=April 15, 2014|archive-date=April 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416191756/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/music/news/madonna-hits-studio-with-kills-30177378.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Introspection was listed as one of the foundational themes prevalent on the record, along with "genuine statements of personal and careerist reflection".<ref name="slant3">{{cite news|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/house/article/madonna-releases-three-more-songs-from-rebel-heart-joan-of-arc-iconic-hold-tight|title=Madonna Releases Three More Songs from Rebel Heart: 'Joan of Arc', 'Iconic', & 'Hold Tight'|last=Mac|first=Sam C.|work=Slant Magazine|access-date=February 26, 2015|date=February 9, 2015|archive-date=February 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211100550/http://www.slantmagazine.com/house/article/madonna-releases-three-more-songs-from-rebel-heart-joan-of-arc-iconic-hold-tight|url-status=live}}</ref> Madonna explained to [[Jon Pareles]] of ''The New York Times'' that, although she has never looked back at her past endeavors, reminiscing about it felt right for ''Rebel Heart''.<ref name="nytint">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/06/arts/music/madonna-talks-about-rebel-heart-her-fall-and-more.html|title=Madonna Talks About 'Rebel Heart,' Her Fall and More|first=Jon|last=Pareles|date=March 6, 2015|access-date=March 7, 2015|author-link=Jon Pareles|work=The New York Times|archive-date=March 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150306211620/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/06/arts/music/madonna-talks-about-rebel-heart-her-fall-and-more.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Music critics responded positively towards the album, calling it her best effort in a decade.<ref>{{cite web|title=Reviews for Rebel Heart|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/rebel-heart/madonna|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=March 20, 2015|archive-date=March 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315160531/http://www.metacritic.com/music/rebel-heart/madonna|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Rebel Heart Tour 2016 - Brisbane 1 (26194050412) (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Madonna performing at the [[Rebel Heart Tour]] in 2016|alt=Madonna looking to her right while singing onstage, with her right hand on her waist.]]
From September 2015 to March 2016, Madonna embarked on the [[Rebel Heart Tour]] to promote the album. The tour traveled throughout North America, Europe and Asia and was Madonna's first visit to Australia in 23 years, where she also performed a [[Madonna: Tears of a Clown|one-off show]] for her fans.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Spanos|first1=Brittany |title=Madonna Plots Rebel Heart Tour for North America, Europe|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=March 2, 2015|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/madonna-plots-rebel-heart-tour-for-north-america-europe-20150302|access-date=March 2, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304174410/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/madonna-plots-rebel-heart-tour-for-north-america-europe-20150302|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Madonna completes her Rebel Heart tour in Sydney amid criticism |last=Bhandari |first=Subel |magazine=[[Borneo Bulletin]] |date=March 22, 2015 |url=http://borneobulletin.com.bn/madonna-completes-her-rebel-heart-tour-in-sydney-amid-criticism/ |access-date=March 22, 2015|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227150407/http://borneobulletin.com.bn/madonna-completes-her-rebel-heart-tour-in-sydney-amid-criticism/ |archive-date=February 27, 2017}}</ref> The Rebel Heart Tour grossed a total of $169.8&nbsp;million from the 82 shows, with over 1.045&nbsp;million ticket sales.<ref name="rebelheartgross">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7271843/madonna-extends-record-highest-grossing-solo-touring-artist|title=Madonna Extends Record as Highest-Grossing Solo Touring Artist: $1.31 Billion Earned|last=Allen|first=Bob|date=March 24, 2016|access-date=March 24, 2016|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=December 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204051754/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7271843/madonna-extends-record-highest-grossing-solo-touring-artist|url-status=live}}</ref> While on tour, Madonna became engaged in a legal battle with Ritchie, over the custody of their son Rocco. The dispute started when Rocco decided to continue living in England with Ritchie when the tour had visited there, while Madonna wanted him to travel with her. Court hearings took place in both New York and London. After multiple deliberations, Madonna withdrew her application for custody and decided to resolve the matter privately.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35862049|title=Judge rules on Madonna custody dispute|last=Savage|first=Mark|date=March 21, 2016|access-date=March 22, 2016|work=BBC News|archive-date=March 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321185626/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35862049|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2016, ''Billboard'' named Madonna its [[Billboard Women in Music#Woman of the Year Award|Woman of the Year]]. Her "blunt and brutally honest" speech about ageism and sexism at the ceremony received widespread coverage in the media.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Madonna Is Billboard's 2016 Woman of the Year|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/events/women-in-music/7541832/madonna-2016-woman-of-the-year|access-date=October 14, 2016|magazine=Billboard|date=October 14, 2016|archive-date=October 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014204125/http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/women-in-music/7541832/madonna-2016-woman-of-the-year|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="woman2016">{{cite magazine|title=Madonna Delivers Her Blunt Truth During Fiery, Teary Billboard Women In Music Speech|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/events/women-in-music/7616927/madonna-billboard-woman-of-the-year-labrinth|access-date=January 24, 2017|magazine=Billboard|date=December 9, 2016|last=Lynch|first=Joe|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202072939/http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/women-in-music/7616927/madonna-billboard-woman-of-the-year-labrinth|url-status=live}}</ref> The next month Madonna, who actively supported [[Hillary Clinton]] during the [[2016 United States presidential election|2016 US presidential election]], performed an impromptu acoustic concert at [[Washington Square Park]] in support of [[Hillary Clinton 2016 presidential campaign|Clinton's campaign]].<ref name="impromptu">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7565917/madonna-surprise-performance-washington-square-park-new-york|title=Madonna Gives Surprise Performance in New York's Washington Square Park in Support of Hillary Clinton|last=Shouneyia|first=Alexa|date=November 7, 2016|access-date=November 8, 2016|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=November 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108023426/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7565917/madonna-surprise-performance-washington-square-park-new-york|url-status=live}}</ref> Upset that [[Donald Trump]] won the election, Madonna spoke out against him at the [[2017 Women's March|Women's March on Washington]], a day after [[First inauguration of Donald Trump|his inauguration]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7662586/watch-madonna-drop-f-bomb-womens-march-on-washington-donald-trump-protest|title=Watch Madonna Drop F-Bomb on Live TV at Women's March on Washington|magazine=Billboard|date=January 20, 2017|access-date=January 21, 2017|archive-date=January 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170123071701/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7662586/watch-madonna-drop-f-bomb-womens-march-on-washington-donald-trump-protest|url-status=live}}</ref> She sparked controversy when she said that she "thought a lot about blowing up the White House".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/21/politics/madonna-speech-march/|title=In R-rated anti-Trump rant, Madonna muses about 'blowing up White House'|publisher=[[CNN]]|first=Eric|last=Levenson|date=January 21, 2017|access-date=January 22, 2017|archive-date=January 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170123213118/http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/21/politics/madonna-speech-march|url-status=live}}</ref> The following day, Madonna asserted she was "not a violent person" and that her words had been "taken wildly out of context".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/madonna-clarifies-out-of-context-remark-from-womens-march-w462373|date=January 22, 2017|access-date=January 22, 2017|title=Madonna Clarifies 'Out of Context' Remark From Women's March|first=Daniel|last=Krepps|magazine=Rolling Stone|archive-date=March 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327010827/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/madonna-clarifies-out-of-context-remark-from-womens-march-w462373|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== 2017–2021: Move to Lisbon and ''Madame X'' ===
In February 2017, Madonna adopted four-year-old twin sisters from Malawi named Estere and Stella,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mponda|first1=Félix|title=Madonna Adopts 4-year-old Twin Girls in Malawi|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/malawi-court-allows-madonna-adopt-twin-girls-official-005130179.html|access-date=February 7, 2017|publisher=[[Yahoo! News]]|date=February 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207192701/https://www.yahoo.com/news/malawi-court-allows-madonna-adopt-twin-girls-official-005130179.html|archive-date=February 7, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7694305/madonna-new-twins-singing-twinkle-twinkle-little-star-video|title=Madonna Shares Video of New Twins Singing 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'|last=Stutz|first=Colin|magazine=Billboard|date=February 20, 2017|access-date=February 20, 2017|archive-date=February 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220173722/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7694305/madonna-new-twins-singing-twinkle-twinkle-little-star-video|url-status=live}}</ref> and she moved to live in [[Lisbon]], Portugal, in mid-2017 with her adoptive children.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/05/entertainment/madonna-portugal/index.html|title=Madonna is happy she moved|first=Lisa|last=Respers|publisher=[[CNN]]|access-date=September 6, 2017|date=September 5, 2017|archive-date=September 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905221315/http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/05/entertainment/madonna-portugal/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In July, she opened the [[Mercy James Institute for Pediatric Surgery and Intensive Care]] in Malawi, a children's hospital built by her Raising Malawi charity.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-madonna/malawi-hails-madonnas-motherly-spirit-at-opening-of-new-hospital-idUSKBN19W1XX|title=Malawi hails Madonna's 'motherly spirit' at opening of new hospital|work=Reuters|first=Frank|last=Phiri|date=July 11, 2017|access-date=May 28, 2018|archive-date=June 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624232821/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-madonna/malawi-hails-madonnas-motherly-spirit-at-opening-of-new-hospital-idUSKBN19W1XX|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Rebel Heart Tour (album)|live album]] chronicling the Rebel Heart Tour was released in September 2017, and won Best Music Video for Western Artists at the 32nd [[Japan Gold Disc Award]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.golddisc.jp/award/32/Prize_2.html#gd32_24|title=The 32nd Japan Gold Disc Award|publisher=[[Japan Gold Disc Award]]|language=ja|access-date=February 27, 2018|archive-date=October 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004145125/http://www.golddisc.jp/award/32/Prize_2.html#gd32_24|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/rebel-heart-tour-mw0003080350|title=Rebel Heart Tour > Madonna|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=May 13, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612163654/https://www.allmusic.com/album/rebel-heart-tour-mw0003080350|url-status=live}}</ref> That month, Madonna launched MDNA Skin in select stores in the United States.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/beauty/7980721/madonna-skincare-line-everything-to-know-about-mdna-skin|title=Everything You Need to Know About Madonna's Newest Venture, MDNA Skin|last=Gray|first=Yasmin|date=September 26, 2017|access-date=May 13, 2018|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=May 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523043525/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/beauty/7980721/madonna-skincare-line-everything-to-know-about-mdna-skin|url-status=live}}</ref> A few months earlier, the auction house Gotta Have Rock and Roll had put up Madonna's personal items like love letters from [[Tupac Shakur]], cassettes, underwear and a hairbrush for sale. Darlene Lutz, an art dealer who had initiated the auction, was sued by Madonna's representatives to stop the proceedings. Madonna clarified that her celebrity status "does not obviate my right to maintain my privacy, including with regard to highly personal items". Madonna lost the case and the presiding judge ruled in favor of Lutz who was able to prove that in 2004 Madonna made a legal agreement with her for selling the items.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/04/24/madonna-loses-legal-battle-prevent-auction-tupac-letter-personal/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/04/24/madonna-loses-legal-battle-prevent-auction-tupac-letter-personal/ |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Madonna loses legal battle to prevent auction of Tupac letter and other personal items|date=April 24, 2018|access-date=May 13, 2018|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

While living in Lisbon, Madonna met [[Dino D'Santiago]], who introduced her to many local musicians playing [[fado]], [[Morna (music)|morna]] and [[samba music]]. They regularly invited her to their "living room sessions", thus she was inspired to make her 14th studio album, ''[[Madame X (album)|Madame X]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Madonna Talks Giving 'Zero You-Know-Whats' on New 'Madame X' Album at London 'Medellin' Video Premiere|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8508668/madonna-medellin-video-premiere-london-inside-interview-madame-x|magazine=Billboard|author=Smirke, Richard|access-date=September 11, 2019|date=April 24, 2019|archive-date=April 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425060614/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8508668/madonna-medellin-video-premiere-london-inside-interview-madame-x|url-status=live}}</ref> Madonna produced the album with several musicians, primarily her longtime collaborator [[Mirwais (musician)|Mirwais]] and [[Mike Dean (record producer)|Mike Dean]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8515947/madonna-madame-x-stream-it-now|title=Madonna's 'Madame X' Is Here: Stream It Now|date=June 14, 2019|magazine=Billboard|access-date=September 11, 2020|archive-date=September 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920183550/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8515947/madonna-madame-x-stream-it-now|url-status=live}}</ref> The album was critically well received, with ''[[NME]]'' deeming it "bold, bizarre, self-referential and unlike anything Madonna has ever done before."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/madonna-madame-x-review|title=Madonna – 'Madame X' review|work=[[NME]]|last=Hunt|first=El|date=June 5, 2019|access-date=June 6, 2019|archive-date=June 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605142330/https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/madonna-madame-x-review|url-status=live}}</ref> Released in June 2019, ''Madame X'' debuted atop the ''Billboard'' 200, becoming her ninth number-one album there.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8517120/madonna-madame-x-No1-debut-billboard-200-chart|title=Madonna Achieves Ninth No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'Madame X'|magazine=Billboard|first=Keith|last=Caulfield|date=June 23, 2019|access-date=June 23, 2019|archive-date=October 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022063058/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8517120/madonna-madame-x-No1-debut-billboard-200-chart|url-status=live}}</ref> All four of its singles—"[[Medellín (song)|Medellín]]", "[[Crave (Madonna and Swae Lee song)|Crave]]", "[[I Rise (song)|I Rise]]" and "[[I Don't Search I Find]]"—topped the ''Billboard'' Dance Club Songs chart, extending her record for most number-one entries on the chart.<ref name="DanceRecord" />

[[File:Madame x - London Palladium I (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|left|Madonna performing at the [[Madame X Tour]] in 2020|alt=Madonna singing onstage in front of a greenish backdrop, while wearing black costumes and an eye-patch.]]
The previous month, Madonna appeared as the interval act at the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2019]] and performed "Like a Prayer", and then "[[Future (Madonna and Quavo song)|Future]]" with rapper [[Quavo]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/may/19/madonna-was-excruciating-eurovision-2019|title=Madonna was excruciating: what we learned from Eurovision 2019|last=Belam|first=Martin|date=May 18, 2019|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=September 11, 2020|archive-date=September 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929085239/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/may/19/madonna-was-excruciating-eurovision-2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Her [[Madame X Tour]], an all-[[Theater (structure)|theatre]] tour in select cities across North America and Europe, began on September 17, 2019. In addition to much smaller venues compared to her previous tours, she implemented a no-phone policy to maximize the intimacy of the concert.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.papermag.com/madonna-madame-x-tour-2640455216.html|title=Madonna X-periments With the 'Madame X Tour'|last=Stern|first=Bradley|magazine=[[Paper (magazine)|Paper]]|date=September 20, 2019|access-date=November 12, 2019|archive-date=September 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920204700/https://www.papermag.com/madonna-madame-x-tour-2640455216.html|url-status=live}}</ref> According to ''[[Pollstar]]'', the tour earned $51.4&nbsp;million in ticket sales.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.pollstar.com/article/women-at-the-top-boxoffice-stars-in-pre-pandemic-2020-147666|title=Women At The Top: Boxoffice Stars In Pre-Pandemic 2020|magazine=[[Pollstar]]|date=March 23, 2021|first=Bob|last=Allen|access-date=July 11, 2021}}</ref> That December, Madonna started dating Ahlamalik Williams, a dancer who began accompanying her on the Rebel Heart Tour in 2015.<ref name="The Times of India 2021">{{cite news| title=Madonna packs on some PDA with boyfriend Ahlamalik Williams while celebrating her 63rd birthday | newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=August 22, 202 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/english/hollywood/news/madonna-packs-on-some-pda-with-boyfriend-ahlamalik-williams-while-celebrating-her-63rd-birthday/articleshow/85530879.cms | access-date=August 22, 2021|author=Asian News International (ANI)|author-link=Asian News International}}</ref><ref name="Nast 2021">{{cite magazine | last=Léger | first=Marie | title=Who is Ahlamalik Williams, Madonna's boyfriend? | magazine=[[Vogue France]]| date=August 20, 2021 | url=https://www.vogue.fr/wedding/article/ahlamalik-williams-madonnas-boyfriend | access-date=August 22, 2021}}</ref> However, the Madame X Tour faced several cancellations due to her recurring knee injury, and eventually ended abruptly on March 8, 2020, three days before its planned final date, after the French government banned gatherings of more than 1,000 people due to [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.spin.com/2020/03/madonna-cancels-paris-tour-date-after-stage-fall/|title=Madonna Cancels Paris Tour Date After Stage Fall|magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|date=March 2, 2020|access-date=September 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/madonna-coronavirus-madame-x-tour-cancelled-paris-dates-refund-a9389156.html|title=Madonna forced to end Madame X Tour early due to coronavirus restrictions|first=Clémence|last=Michallon|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|date=March 9, 2020|access-date=September 11, 2020}}</ref> She later revealed she had [[COVID-19 testing|tested positive]] for [[Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2|coronavirus]] antibodies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ew.com/music/madonna-coronavirus-antibodies/|title=Madonna reveals she tested positive for coronavirus antibodies, but is 'not currently sick'|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=September 11, 2020|first=Joey|last=Nolfi}}</ref> In April 2020, Madonna announced her financial support for the COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator led by the [[Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation]], [[Wellcome Trust]] and [[Mastercard]],<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Au-Yeung |first=Angel |date=April 3, 2020 |title=A Bill Gates-Backed Accelerator For COVID-19 Therapeutics Treatment Partners With Madonna And Mark Zuckerberg's Chan Zuckerberg Initiative |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/angelauyeung/2020/04/03/a-bill-gates-backed-accelerator-for-covid-19-coronavirus-therapeutics-treatment-partners-with-madonna-and-mark-zuckerbergs-chan-zuckerberg-initiative/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220118165740/https://www.forbes.com/sites/angelauyeung/2020/04/03/a-bill-gates-backed-accelerator-for-covid-19-coronavirus-therapeutics-treatment-partners-with-madonna-and-mark-zuckerbergs-chan-zuckerberg-initiative/?sh=54ee18948067 |archive-date=January 18, 2022 |access-date=September 10, 2023 |magazine=[[Forbes]]}}</ref> and donated an additional $1&nbsp;million to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to help fund research creating a new vaccine.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/madonna-donates-1-million-to-fund-hoping-to-create-coronavirus-vaccine-2640982|title=Madonna donates $1 million to fund hoping to create coronavirus vaccine|date=April 4, 2020|magazine=[[NME]]|access-date=September 11, 2020|first=Will|last=Richards}}</ref>

Madonna and Missy Elliott provided guest vocals on [[Dua Lipa]]'s single "[[Levitating (The Blessed Madonna Remix)|Levitating]]", from Lipa's 2020 remix album ''[[Club Future Nostalgia]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/dua-lipa-announces-levitating-remix-featuring-madonna-and-missy-elliott__30336|title=Dua Lipa announces new single ft. Madonna and Missy Elliott|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|last=White|first=Jack|date=July 27, 2020|access-date=August 1, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200801032934/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/dua-lipa-announces-levitating-remix-featuring-madonna-and-missy-elliott__30336/|archive-date=August 1, 2020}}</ref> She also started work on a film biopic about her life, which she intended to direct.<ref name = Grobar>{{cite news|url = https://deadline.com/2023/01/madonna-biopic-at-universal-not-moving-forward-1235239722/|title = Madonna Biopic At Universal Not Moving Forward|work = [[Deadline Hollywood]]|date = January 24, 2023|accessdate = January 24, 2023|last = Grobar|first = Matt}}</ref> [[Erin Cressida Wilson]] and [[Diablo Cody]] worked on the script at various points and [[Julia Garner]] was cast as Madonna before the project was postponed.<ref name = Grobar/><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/movies/madonna-biopic-diablo-cody-movie-screenplay/|title=Madonna reveals plot details for biopic movie: Andy Warhol, 'Vogue' dancers, Evita, more|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|first=Joey|last=Nolfi|date=September 11, 2020|access-date=September 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 25, 2023|title=Madonna biopic scrapped after singer's world tour announced|newspaper=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jan/25/madonna-biopic-scrapped-after-singers-world-tour-announced|access-date=January 25, 2023|first=Michael|last=Sun}}</ref> Madonna released ''[[Madame X (2021 film)|Madame X]]'', a documentary film chronicling the tour of the same name, on [[Paramount+]] in October 2021.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.it/musica/news-musica/madonna-il-film-sul-tour-di-madame-x-uscira-in-ottobre/570357/|title=Madonna, il film sul tour di 'Madame X' uscirà in ottobre|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] Italy|date=July 8, 2021|access-date=July 9, 2021|language=it}}</ref>

=== 2022–2024: ''Finally Enough Love'' and the Celebration Tour ===
On Madonna's 63rd birthday, she officially announced her return to Warner Bros. Records in a global partnership which granted the label rights to her entire recorded music catalog, including the last three albums released under Interscope. Under the contract, Madonna launched a series of catalog reissues beginning in 2022, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of her recording career. A remix album titled ''[[Finally Enough Love: 50 Number Ones]]'' was released on August 19, with a 16-track abridged edition being available for streaming since June 24.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/madonna-warner-music-career-spanning-reissue-campaign-partnership-1212466/|title=Madonna Partners With Warner Music for Career-Spanning Reissue Campaign|first=Daniel|last=Kreps|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=August 16, 2021|access-date=August 16, 2021}}</ref> Consisting of her 50 number-one songs on ''Billboard''{{'}}s Dance Club Songs chart, the remix album highlighted "how meaningful dance music has always been" to Madonna's career, and became her 23rd top-ten album on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://people.com/music/madonna-releases-finally-enough-love-50-number-ones-remix-album/|title=Madonna Unveils 'Finally Enough Love: 50 Number Ones', an Epic Career-Spanning Remix Compilation|first=Jack|last=Irvin|magazine=People|date=August 19, 2022|access-date=August 27, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/madonna-first-woman-with-billboard-200-top-10-albums-each-decade-1235132467/|title=Madonna Becomes First Woman to Earn Billboard 200 Top 10 Albums Each Decade Since the '80s|first=Keith|last=Caulfield|magazine=Billboard|date=August 29, 2022|access-date=September 12, 2022}}</ref>

Throughout 2022 to 2023, Madonna released a number of stand-alone tracks, including "Hung Up on Tokischa" (a remix of "Hung Up", featuring rapper [[Tokischa]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/pop/madonna-tokischa-hung-up-video/|title=Madonna Makes Out With Tokischa In Their 'Hung Up' Remix Video|website=[[Uproxx]]|last=Villa|first=Lucas|date=September 20, 2022|access-date=December 10, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2022-10-10/madonna-gay-tiktok-reaction-queerbaiting-support|title='Madonna is gay?' Fans and critics are hung up on the pop icon's cryptic TikTok|website=Los Angeles Times|last=Del Rosario|first=Alexander|date=October 10, 2022|access-date=December 10, 2022}}</ref> and a 2015 demo recorded during the ''Rebel Heart'' sessions called "[[Back That Up to the Beat]]" to all digital outlets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://retropopmagazine.com/madonna-releases-back-that-up-to-the-beat-demo-after-the-track-goes-viral-on-tiktok/|title=Madonna releases 'Back That Up To The Beat' demo after the track goes viral on TikTok|last=Grotto|first=Connor|date=December 30, 2022|accessdate=December 22, 2024|website=Retro Pop}}</ref> She also collaborated on three songs on [[Christine and the Queens]] album ''[[Paranoia, Angels, True Love|Paranoïa, Angels, True Love]]'' (2023)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Curto |first1=Justin |title=Madonna Is Christine's Newest Queen |url=https://www.vulture.com/2023/03/madonna-christine-and-the-queens-new-album.html |website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]|date=March 8, 2023 |access-date=March 8, 2023}}</ref> and with [[The Weeknd]] and [[Playboi Carti]] on the single "[[Popular (The Weeknd, Playboi Carti and Madonna song)|Popular]]", which was taken from the [[The Idol Vol. 1|soundtrack]] to the drama series ''[[The Idol (TV series)|The Idol]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/the-weeknd-madonna-playboi-carti-popular-the-idol-vol-1-soundtrack-listen-1235344191/|title=The Weeknd, Madonna & Playboi Carti Come Together on 'Popular' Track: Stream It Now|magazine=Billboard|last=Mamo|first=Heran|date=June 2, 2023|access-date=June 2, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-weeknd-teams-up-with-madonna-and-playboi-carti-for-new-track-popular-listen-here-3450944|title=The Weeknd teams up with Madonna and Playboi Carti for 'Popular'|magazine=NME|last=Dunworth|first=Liberty|date=June 2, 2023|access-date=June 2, 2023}}</ref>

[[File:Madonna - The Celebration tour live - London 15 10 2023 (53271210582).jpg|thumb|Madonna performing in 2023 during [[the Celebration Tour]]]] 
In January 2023, Madonna announced [[the Celebration Tour]], her first greatest hits concert tour, which was set to run from July 2023 to January 2024.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Paul |first1=Larisha |title=Madonna Unveils Ultimate Greatest Hits Show 'The Celebration Tour' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/madonna-the-celebration-tour-announcement-1234662120/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=July 19, 2023 |date=January 17, 2023}}</ref> However, on June 24, 2023, the singer was hospitalized after being found unresponsive in her New York City apartment.<ref name="auto">{{cite news|url=https://www.liherald.com/stories/madonnas-tour-postponed-after-long-days-at-coliseum,184403|title=Madonna's tour postponed after long days at Coliseum|first=Brandon|last=Cruz|date=July 10, 2023|newspaper=[[Nassau Herald]]|access-date=September 15, 2023}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{Cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/madonna-speaks-health-scare-left-140343767.html|title=Madonna Speaks Out After Health Scare Left Her Unresponsive|date=July 10, 2023|access-date=September 15, 2023|publisher=Yahoo! News|last=Cooper|first=Alex}}</ref> She was admitted for five days and received treatment in the intensive care unit under [[intubation]].<ref name="auto"/> Madonna later stated that she had been in a medically induced coma for 48 hours during her hospitalization<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/madonna-home-hospital-being-intubated-082107983.html|title=Madonna Home From The Hospital After Being Intubated For Serious Bacterial Infection|date=June 29, 2023|publisher=Yahoo}}</ref> for a "serious bacterial infection" following a low-grade fever. As a result, the initial North American leg of the tour was postponed.<ref>{{cite news|title=Madonna Officially Postpones Celebration Tour|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/10/arts/music/madonna-celebration-tour-postponed.html|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=July 19, 2023|date=July 10, 2023|last=Sisario|first=Ben}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/madonna-opens-health-scare-says-was-coma-48-hours-rcna130678|title=Madonna opens up about health scare, says she was in coma for 48 hours|date=December 20, 2023|publisher=NBC News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abc7chicago.com/madonna-induced-coma-health-update-brooklyn/14205603/|title=Madonna reveals she was in 'an induced coma' this summer, thanks friend who 'saved' her life|date=December 20, 2023|publisher=ABC7 Chicago}}</ref>

The Celebration Tour finally began in October 2023, at [[The O2 Arena|the O<sub>2</sub> Arena]] in London and garnered critical acclaim.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/music/article/madonna-celebration-tour-review-a-nightclub-performance-on-arena-scale-hs5sxbj3g|title=Madonna Celebration Tour review – a nightclub performance on arena scale|newspaper=The Times|last=Hodgkinson|first=Will|date=October 15, 2023|access-date=October 15, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-67098882|title=Madonna's Celebration Tour reviewed: The Queen of pop brings out her crown jewels|work=BBC News|last=Savage|first=Mark|date=October 15, 2023|access-date=October 15, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/oct/15/madonna-review-queen-of-pop-greatest-hits-o2-london-celebration|title=Madonna review – queen of pop dazzles with her greatest hits|newspaper=The Guardian|last=Petridis|first=Alexis|date=October 15, 2023|access-date=October 15, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/14/arts/music/madonna-celebration-tour-london.html|title=Madonna Celebrates Four Decades of Hits With Career-Spanning Spectacle|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 14, 2023|access-date=October 15, 2023}}</ref> It ended the following May with a free concert at [[Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro|Copacabana]] in Rio de Janeiro which was attended by 1.6&nbsp;million people, setting the record for [[List of most-attended concerts|the biggest standalone concert of all time]] and the most attended concert by a female artist.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2024/05/madonna-1-6million-crowd-rio-de-janeiro-copacabana-beach-final-night-celebration-tour-1235904728/ |title=Madonna Makes History With 1.6million Crowd In Rio On Final Night Of Tour |date=May 5, 2024 |access-date=May 5, 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood |first=Caroline |last=Frost }}</ref><ref name="record1" /> The Celebration Tour grossed $225.4&nbsp;million from 80 shows, making Madonna the first female artist to gross over $100&nbsp;million with six different concert tours.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Frankenberg|first=Eric|title=Madonna is only woman to achieve this boxscore feat as the Celebration Tour wraps |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/madonna-the-celebration-tour-225-million-1235674536/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510023201/https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/madonna-the-celebration-tour-225-million-1235674536/ |archive-date=May 10, 2024 |date=May 9, 2024}}</ref>

During these years, Madonna lost multiple family members, starting with her eldest brother Anthony dying in February 2023 at age 66.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-64779134|title=Madonna's older brother Anthony Ciccone dies aged 66|first=Nathan|last=Williams|publisher=BBC News|date=February 22, 2023|accessdate=October 6, 2024}}</ref> Her younger brother Christopher also died the following year on October 4, 2024, in [[Petoskey, Michigan]] at age 63 from [[pancreatic cancer]], according to a statement from his family. He died just two weeks after the death of their stepmother Joan.<ref name=relativesdie>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/madonna-brother-christopher-ciccone-dead-1235794103/|title=Madonna's Younger Brother Christopher Ciccone Dies at 63|first=Mitchell|last=Peters|magazine=Billboard|date=October 6, 2024|accessdate=October 6, 2024}}</ref> Madonna dedicated a lengthy Instagram post to him saying, "I admired him [...] We found our way back to each other. I did my best to keep him alive as long as possible. He was in so much pain towards the end [...] There will never be anyone like him".<ref name="GrdnAP2024">{{cite news |date=October 6, 2024 |title=Christopher Ciccone, artist and Madonna's brother, dies at age 63 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/oct/06/christopher-ciccone-dead-madonnas-brother |access-date=October 7, 2024 |work=The Guardian |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

=== 2024–present: Upcoming fifteenth studio album ===
Following the Celebration Tour, Madonna restarted work on her biographical film<ref name="WTGtitle">{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/madonna-returns-work-biopic-screenplay-reveals-title-whos-that-girl-8678656|title=Madonna returns to work on delayed biopic, reveals movie title ''Who's That Girl'' with Julia Garner still set to star|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|first= Joey |last=Nolfi|access-date=February 27, 2025|date=July 16, 2024}}</ref> and later complained of producers wanting her to "downsize-down scale-think smaller" with regard to the project. She considered reworking it into a television series as a result.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Nolfi |first1=Joey |title=Madonna 'struggling' over producers wanting to 'downsize' biopic, teases potential TV series instead: 'We cannot shrink' |url=https://ew.com/madonna-biopic-movie-potential-tv-series-8747273 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=December 16, 2024|date=November 18, 2024}}</ref> Madonna shifted her focus towards conceiving new music with [[Stuart Price]], writing in December 2024 that "these past few months has been medicine for my soul. Songwriting and making music is the one area where I don't need to ask anyone for their permission. I'm so excited to share it with you".<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Aniftos |first1=Rania |title=Madonna Reveals She's Working on New Music for 2025 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/madonna-working-on-new-music-2025-1235858019/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=December 16, 2024|date=December 16, 2024}}</ref> In February 2025, the singer revealed she was working on a sequel to 2005's ''Confessions on a Dance Floor'', which Price also produced.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Dailey |first1=Hannah |title=Madonna Says Her 'Valentine's Day Gift' to Fans Is New Music Coming Soon |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/madonna-working-new-music-valentines-day-gift-fans-1235901650/ |magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 13, 2025|date=February 13, 2025}}</ref> That May, ''[[Deadline Hollywood]]'' reported Madonna had partnered with video streaming service [[Netflix]] to produce a series about her life with [[Shawn Levy]]. The show is not related to the film in the works.<ref name="Mnetflix">{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title=Madonna Teams With Shawn Levy For Limited Series About Her Life In Works At Netflix |url=https://deadline.com/2025/05/madonna-shawn-levy-biopic-limited-series-netflix-1236390151/ |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=May 12, 2025|date=May 12, 2025}}</ref>