|  Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone Ritchie (born August 16, 1958), known as Madonna, is a Grammy[1] and Golden Globe award winning American dance-pop singer-songwriter, record and film producer, dancer, actress, author and fashion icon. She is noted for her ambitious music videos and stage performances as well as using political, sexual, and religious themes in her work.
In 2000, Guinness World Records listed Madonna as the most successful female recording artist of all time, with estimated worldwide sales of 120 million albums;[2] in 2005, her record company credited her as having sold over 200 million albums worldwide.[3] Madonna is the highest earning female singer of all time according to both the 2007 Guinness Book of Records,[4] and Billboard Magazine. Forbes magazine has estimated her net worth at $325 million.[5] In addition, Madonna holds the record for the top-grossing concert tour by a female artist.[6]
In January 2007, Forbes Magazine reported that Madonna was the 4th wealthiest woman with an active career in entertainment (behind Oprah Winfrey, J.K. Rowling and Martha Stewart) with a net worth Forbes conservatively estimated at $325 million. Her "Confessions Tour" in 2006, netted her with a paycheck of $65 million dollars. The tour itself cost $100 million and netted $260 million.
In March 2007, Madonna set her focus on fashion design, creating her own line of clothing for H&M, M by Madonna, launched in the United States, and internationally[24].
Madonna has started production on her next album, with an array of talent including, Timbaland, Stuart Price, Pharrell Williams, and Swizz Beatz. It has been announced that Madonna's entire back catalog is currently being remastered in 5.1 digital audio.[25]
On March 27, 2007 FOX News reported that Madonna has been confirmed as one of the artists taking part in the massive Live Earth concerts on July 7, 2007. [26]
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