The best images of Madonna's looks, life, and career

While Madonna may now be in her sixties, she remains a pop culture icon and at the cutting edge of fashion. Anything but subtle, her looks over the decades are marked by their strength, daring, and constant evolution, as seen at the 2023 Grammys. Here's how she's changed over the years.

Madonna was born on August 16, 1958 in Bay City, Michigan. This is one of her school photos.

At the age of 20, Madonna moved to New York to study contemporary dance. "No YouTube, no Vine, no The Voice, no American Idol, no Disney," she recalls on Instagram. "Just 35 dollars and a dream."

Madonna started out as a model and a dancer in other artists' shows. She toured with Patrick Hernandez, singer of the hit 'Born to Be Alive.'

The singer also auditioned for a role in the famous TV series 'Fame.' She didn't get the part.

While performing with a band called 'Emmy,' Madonna managed to reach fame as a solo artist. In 1982, she released her first album - 'Madonna' - which included one of her first hits: 'Holiday'.

Madonna has always been a striking appearance and a fashion icon pushing boundaries.

In the 1980s, the world fell in love with the talented singer and her ever-changing looks.

In terms of lyrics, Madonna also moved boundaries. One of her early hits was the spicy 'Like a Virgin,' and one of her most memorable songs is 'Like a Prayer.' It's a gospel-inspired pop song with church scenes and burning crosses in the video, referring to Madonna's strict upbringing as a Catholic girl as well as to racism in the U.S.

Madonna's fashion and music trajectory includes tributes to powerful women of the past. At some point, she began recreating Marilyn Monroe's style. She called herself "the blonde ambition."

Madonna became part of the celebrity universe, in which Michael Jackson was also a steady presence. She often met Jackson at parties and music events, still unaware of the scandals that would affect him some time later.

As stars often do, Madonna made the leap to another art besides singing and dancing. She acted in the film 'Desperately Seeking Susan' along with Rosanna Arquette. Coming out in 1985, the film was quite successful and became somewhat of a cult hit.

In 1986, Madonna starred in the film 'Shanghai Surprise' next to Sean Penn. The movie was a flop, but Penn would become her boyfriend in real life.

And do you remember this film and soundtrack from 1987? 'Who's that Girl' starred Griffin Dunne alongside the superstar.

Madonna always managed to deliver a complete package. If the movie didn't become a blockbuster, she'd always have the album with a couple of hit songs on it.

Madonna's Blond Ambition World Tour was marked by high notes, high art and even higher ponytails. This is an iconic look from what Rolling Stone magazine ranked as one of the greatest tours of the last 50 years.

Madonna continued to look for novelty. In the '90s, she constantly surprised people, going from her scandalous 'Erotica' shows, book, and film, to the mainstream musical 'Evita.'

Her looks varied over time. In the late '90s, Madonna began to use oriental influences in her music and performances. Her unique identity always remained recognizable though.

The passing of the years has not stolen a drop of energy and style from Madonna.

She has shown how experience can help overcome risks. The 2005 album 'Confessions on a Dance Floor' had some music videos with explicit and energetic choreographies of which nearly-fifties' Madonna was not afraid at all.

Going through physical changes and dealing with a stormy private life - four children, two of whom adopted, and relationships, one of them with director Guy Ritchie - Madonna continued to adapt effortlessly to the latest trends in style and music.

The MTV Awards 2003 made history with the kiss between Madonna, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera. Besides giving an excellent show, they left everyone speechless with an unexpected kiss on stage.

Madonna's eldest daughter Lourdes Leon was born in 1996. Over the years, she brought out a side of the superstar that we had not seen before: a loving and concerned mother.

In the 2010s, Madonna worked on groundbreaking performances and released four albums. She broke viewers' records at the 2012 Super Bowl halftime show.

Her net worth is estimated at $850 million by publications like 'Forbes,' making her one of the best paid singers in the world.

To keep looking young in her 60s, Madonna has turned to several cosmetic procedures.

Here's Madonona in Sept. 2022 at a fashion show, though her look may have been the one that got people talking he most. With bleached eyebrows, pink hair and an strappy black number, she continues to surprise.

The icon also shows no sign of slowing down. Here she's seen in 2023 announcing her upcoming World Tour in a raunchy video where she's talking with an eclectic table of her A-list celebrity pals.

Image: Madonna - The Celebration Tour Announcement / YouTube

Despite all changes, Madonna continues to be an icon that has occupied the covers of the most important magazines in the world. As an artist, she continues to shine.