1. Madonna's first communion

Who could have guessed this angelic little girl was going to become one of the world's most famous and controversial women?

2. Madonna

Madonna at the beginning of her career

3. Madonna and Sean Penn

Described as the "love of her life" Madonna met first husband Sean Penn on the set of the 'Material Girl' video. Madonna even dedicated her 'True Blue' album to him, yet it wasn't to last as the couple's volatile marriage ended in divorce, just as Madonna's career went stellar.

4. Madonna: The Virgin tour

Tickets for Madonna's show at Madison Square Garden in New York sold out in just 34 minutes. Support on the tour came from rappers, The Beastie Boys.

5. Like A Virgin

A fresh-faced Madonna, as she looked when she burst onto the music scene in 1984.

6. Madonna's Past Lovers

Madonna and ex best friend, comedienne Sandra Bernhard in the 80s

7. Short-haired Madonna

Madonna in 1986

8. Madonna

9. Madonna: Who's That Girl tour

Madonna's first world tour, the 'Who's That Girl' tour was considered at the time to be the largest and highest grossing concert tour ever.

10. Madonna: Through The Years

A more demure looking Madonna at a press conference for film Shanghai Surprise in 1986.

11. Dick Tracy

Madonna in Dick Tracy with Warren Beatty

12. Madonna and Warren Beatty

Having divorced Sean Penn, Madonna set her sights on another Hollywood legend, big screen lothario Warren Beatty. Having won the coveted role of Breathless Mahony in Beatty's Dick Tracy, the couple enjoyed a whirlwind romance, captured on screen in Madonna's reveal-all documentary, 'In Bed With Madonna'. Madonna's brother, Christopher Ciccone, recently revealed that Warren proposed to Madonna, and her refusal marked the end of the relationship.

13. Madonna

Doesn't this look a bit like Lady Gaga's Hello Kitty costume?

14. Madonna: Blond Ambition tour

This tour saw Madonna sport her infamous cone brassiere, designed by Jean-Paul Gaultier.

15. Madonna: Blond Ambition tour

Blond Ambition was Madonna's second world tour and saw her play 57 shows in 27 cities. It was immortilised in her documentary film, 'Truth Or Dare' (also known as 'In Bed With Madonna'). The Pope called for a boycott of the show in Italy due to its overtly sexual nature and use of Catholicism.

16. Madonna and Dennis Rodman

Madonna entered a relationship with basketball superstar Dennis Rodman soon after the release of her 'Erotica' album and 'Sex' book. Rodman would later include saucy details of the liaison in his kiss-and-tell memoirs.

17. Madonna

Madonna

18. Dark haired Madonna

More toned and muscular, here's how Madge looked at the Grammys in 1999, when she picked up multiple trophies for her 'Ray Of Light' album.

19. Madonna's yoga

Madonna fell for yoga and everything Eastern

20. Madonna and Rupert Everett

British actor Rupert Everett worked with Madonna on the box office bomb, 'The Next Best Thing' and quickly formed an interesting friendship that Rupert bitched about in his top-selling autobiography.

21. Madonna and Guy Ritchie

Having been introduced to each other by Sting and his wife Trudie Styler, British film director quickly ended his relationship with TV presenter Tania Strycker, marking the start of Madonna's love for all things British. Madonna soon fell pregnant with second child, Rocco, and the pair married in December 2001.

22. Madonna and Guy Ritchie

The couple have newborn son Rocco christened

23. Madonna as Evita

24. Hippy Madonna

25. Madonna

26. Madonna: Through The Years

Madonna wowed the crowds at Live 8 in Hyde Park in 2005 with her stunning live rendition of 'Like A Prayer'.

27. Madonna

Madonna around the time of "Hung Up"

28. Madonna and Britney Spears

The infamous kiss that shocked America

29. Madonna and Stuart Price

Madonna plays the guitar live with producer Stuart Price

30. Madonna the author

Demure and a bit mumsy too at the launch of her children book The English Roses

31. Madonna

A young looking Madonna attends a screening of her directorial debut 'Filth and Wisdom' in New York City.

32. Madonna & Guy Ritchie

Guy and Madonna just before they announced they were divorcing

33. Madonna and Jesus Luz

Madonna with boyfriend Jesus and her adopted children Mercy and David Banda

34. Madonna

Madonna looks a little tired and puffy Pic: Getty

35. Madonna and Lourdes

Madonna and daughter Lourdes Leon attend the 'Material Girl' collection launch at Macy's Herald Square in New York.

36. Madonna

Madonna

37. Madonna on the set of 'We'

Madonna on location for the film 'We' on August 1, 2010 in Paris.