In pictures: Madonna reaches 50

Madonna moved to New York from Michigan in 1977 and had her first hit six years later. Holiday made it to number 16 in the US charts with Like A Virgin her first number one single and album just a year later.

Between 1985 and 1990 Madonna released True Blue, Who's That Girl and Like A Prayer before going out on her infamous Blonde Ambition world tour. It featured conical-shaped bras and simulated sex.

Madonna picked up the acting bug after appearing in 1985's Desperately Seeking Susan. She featured in Shanghai Surprise with then husband Sean Penn before bagging the lead role in 1996's Evita.

The Material Girl released Erotica and Bedtime Stories before Ray Of Light in 1998. She also had her first child in October 1996, Lourdes, after a short relationship with fitness trainer Carlos Leon.

Madonna met future husband, the British film director Guy Ritchie, in 1999 through mutual friends Sting and Trudie Styler. The singer gave birth to their son Rocco in August 2000.

Madge released Music in 2000 before going out on the Drowned World tour, her first in eight years. She then starred in Guy Ritchie's Swept Away before appearing in Bond movie, Die Another Day in 2002.

Madonna hit the headlines again after French kissing Britney Spears at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2003 while singing Hollywood. She also brought out her ninth studio album, American Life, that year.

Madonna's 2004 Re-Invention world tour was the highest grossing tour four years ago taking the singer to North America and Europe. It was also filmed for documentary, I'm Going To Tell You A Secret.

In October 2006 the singer caused controversy by adopting Malawian orphan, David Banda. She hit the headlines again for using a crucifix and crown of thorns during a song on her Confessions World Tour.

In May 2008, Madonna headlined Radio 1's Big Weekend in Maidstone. She's now touring the world again supporting her 11th studio album, Hard Candy. Since 1983 she's sold more than 200 million records.

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