Madonna - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

A: Madonna's most recent studio album is Madame X, released on June 14, 2019. Find out the lyrics, tracklist, and release info here.

Madonna is not yet working on a follow-up to Madame X.

A: You can find information on her studio albums, movie soundtracks, compilations and collaborations in our discography section. For each Madonna song, you'll also find the lyrics, release info and chart figures in our song list.

A: The exact number is unknown but it is estimated that Madonna has sold more than 300 million records worldwide. Guinness World Records officially recognizes her as the best selling female artist in the world.

A: You can find all chart positions on our Charts page.

A: Madonna signed her first record deal with Seymour Stein from Warner Music. Her albums were released under Sire Records, which was part of the Warner Brothers Records group.

In 1992, Madonna and her then-manager Freddie DeMann created the label Maverick (co-owned by Warner) and signed artists like Alanis Morissette and The Prodigy. Her own records remained under Sire Records. In 2004, Madonna was bought out of Maverick after a Warner lawsuit, which was also a sign for the upcoming split with her label.

In 2007, Madonna left Warner and signed a 360° deal worth $120 million with Live Nation for the next 10 years. The contract included 3 studio albums and 4 tours (the first being the Sticky & Sweet Tour).

Since Live Nation is not a regular record label, Madonna signed a new deal with Interscope (a label under the Universal group) for the distribution of 3 albums (which was used for MDNA, Rebel Heart and Madame X).

In August 2021, it was announced that Madonna returned to Warner Music for a new partnership. It allowed to celebrate Madonna's 40 years' career, with the release of remastered singles on digital streaming platforms, and the upgrade to HD versions of her music videos on YouTube.

A: Madonna arrived in New York City in the late 70s. After several small jobs (among which serving in Dunkin' Donuts and nude modelling for art classes) and playing in some bands (the Breakfast Club and Emmy & The Emmies), she landed her first single Everybody in 1982 under Sire Records.

A: Madonna has toured with the Virgin Tour (1985), Who's That Girl Tour (1987), Blond Ambition Tour (1990), Girlie Show (1993), Drowned World Tour (2001), Re-Invention Tour (2004), Confessions Tour (2006), Sticky & Sweet Tour (2008-2009), MDNA Tour (2012), Rebel Heart Tour (2015-2016), Madame X Tour (2019-2020), and Celebration Tour (2023-2024).

You can find more information on all of Madonna's world tours in our Tours section. You'll find the tour schedules, setlist, crew members, tour books, tour pictures, and tour recordings.

A: Madonna is currently on her Celebration Tour. It will hit arenas and stadiums in Europe until December. From mid December until the end of April 2024, Madonna will have tour dates across North America. Check the full schedule here.

A: The following tours are available on physical format:

The show in Turin, Italy of the Who's That Girl Tour is available on the DVD "Ciao Italia: Live from Italy".

The show in Sydney, Australia of the Girlie Show is available on the DVD "The Girlie Show - Live Down Under".

The show in Detroit, US of the Drowned World Tour is available on the DVD "Madonna - Drowned World Tour 2001".

The show in London, UK of the Confessions Tour is available on the DVD "Madonna - The Confessions Tour".

The show in Buenos Aires, Argentina of the Sticky & Sweet Tour is available on the CD/DVD/Blu-ray "Madonna - Sticky & Sweet Tour".

The show in Miami, Florida of the MDNA Tour is available on the CD/DVD/Blu-ray "Madonna - The MDNA World Tour".

The show in Sydney, Australia of the Rebel Heart Tour is available on the CD/DVD/Blu-ray "Madonna - Rebel Heart Tour".

The shows in Lisbon, Portugal of the Madame X Tour were recorded. Since October 8, 2021, it is available for streaming on Paramount+. In countries that don't have Paramount+, the show was broadcast by MTV. It's currently not known if there will be a physical release.

What about the other tours?

The Virgin Tour was released on VHS but was never converted to DVD.

The Blond Ambition Tour was released on laser disc but was never converted to DVD. The only DVD quality tour footage can be found on the documentary Truth or Dare. Some sources say quality footage exists but it was never released. Every now and then, rumours about a possible release re-appear, but after all those years it's becoming ever less likely.

The Lisbon, Portugal show of the Re-Invention Tour was planned to be recorded by Hamish Hamilton for a DVD release. However, due to a dispute between him and Madonna, it is believed that this recording never happened (though other sources claim it did). This explains why the show was never broadcast on TV. There's some footage of the Lisbon show, shot by Christian Lamb, but this was mainly meant for the venue screens and is not sufficient for a DVD release.

Instead, there was the DVD release of the documentary I'm Going To Tell You A Secret, which includes tour footage by Jonas Akerlund, mostly from the show in Paris, France.

So will this show ever be released on DVD? We don't know. Due to the many fan requests, Madonna's manager Guy Oseary said in January 2009 that there are currently no plans to release a DVD, but it will come out "some day". In January 2010, a professional recording of the Lisbon show (most likely the one by Christian Lamb) surfaced online.

A: You can find the names of Madonna's tour dancers in the Tours section. That section also has many pictures that include her dancers.

A: Madonna acted in 20 movies, and did two tour documentaries. She also directed two films. Check her full filmography here.

A: Madonna is currently managed by Guy Oseary and Sara Zambreno. Past managers were Freddie DeMann (1983-1996), Caresse Henry (1996-2004) and Angela Becker (2004-2008).

A: Over the years, Madonna has started many other business ventures, often named after one of her songs or albums.

M by Madonna: in March 2007, Madonna created a fashion line in collaboration with H&M. The collection consisted of leather trench coats, sequined shift dresses, cream-colored calf-length pants and matching cropped jackets. 

MDG: In March 2010, Madonna produced a range of sun glasses with her friends and fashion designers Dolce & Gabbana. The eyewear line was named after their initials.

Material Girl: Also in 2010, Madonna and her daughter Lola started a teenage clothing line, which was distributed by Macy's. Together they selected several faces to represent the brand of apparel, jewelry, handwags and footwear, including Taylor Momsen, Kelly Osbourne, Rita Ora and Zendaya.

Hard Candy Fitness: Madonna and her manager Guy Oseary partnered with New Evolution Ventures (NEV) to create a chain of fitness centres. In November 2010, the first club opened in Mexico City. The chain had centres in Berlin, Mexico City, Moscow, Rome, Santiago, St. Petersburg, and Sydney. Most of these centres closed in 2016, after failing to bring in sufficient gym memberships. The only club remaining in operation was in Santiago, Chile, which rebranded as Energy Sport Club in May 2019.
In 2012, Madonna and her then personal trainer Nicole Winhoffer released the fitness DVD series Addicted To Sweat.

Truth or Dare: In November 2011, Madonna and Macy's collaborated on another lifestyle brand, named after her 1991 documentary. While the brand also includes footwear, lingerie, handbags and accessories, it is mostly known for its fragrances Truth or Dare by Madonna (2011) and Truth or Dare by Madonna: Naked (2012).

MDNA Skin: In February 2014, Madonna launched a skincare line on the Japanese market. In September 2017, the products, which include a serum, a chrome induced clay mask and a skin rejuvenator, were launched in the US.

Madame X: In September 2020, Madonna announced a new fragrance, named after her 2019 album Madame X.

A: Madonna was born on August 16, 1958 in Bay City, Michigan.

A: Her birth name is Madonna Louise Ciccone. She added the name Veronica at 12y. Her child nickname was (Little) Nonnie. Her Kabbalah name is Esther.

During her marriage to Guy Ritchie, she often called herself Mrs. Ritchie. Guy himself called her 'the Missus'.

Collaborators often refer to her as 'M'. Finally, the British press calls her Madge (or Her Madgesty) but she's not too fond of that nickname.

A: Her father (of Italian origin) is Sylvio -Tony- Ciccone. Her mother (of French-Canadian origin) is Madonna Fortin. They had 3 sons (Martin, Anthony, Christopher) and 3 daughters (Madonna, Paula, Melanie).

Madonna's mother died when Madonna was 5 years old. Her father remarried with the former housekeeper Joan Gustavson, with whom he had two more children: Mario and Jennifer.

A: In November 2008, Madonna divorced British film director Guy Ritchie, to whom she was married since December 2000. She was married once before, to actor Sean Penn, from August 1985 till January 1989.

A: In November 2008, Madonna divorced British film director Guy Ritchie, to whom she was married since December 2000. She was married once before, to actor Sean Penn, from August 1985 till January 1989.

Madonna has two biological and four adopted children:
Lourdes Maria Leon, also called Lola (born October 14, 1996; father is her former partner and fitness trainer Carlos Leon)
Rocco Ritchie (born August 11, 2000; father is ex-husband Guy Ritchie)
David Banda (born September 24, 2005 in Malawi; father is Yihane Banda; adopted by Madonna and Guy Ritchie in 2006)
Chifundo -Mercy- James Kambewa (born January 22, 2006 in Malawi; father is James Kambewa; adopted by Madonna in 2009)
Twins Esther and Stella Mwale (born on August 24, 2012 in Malawi; father is Adam Mwale; adopted by Madonna in 2017)

A: Madonna currently spends most of her time in the Upper East Side of New York City. She also has houses in LA, Lisbon and London.