Madonna is an American singer, songwriter, actress, director, writer, and philanthropist. She has sold over 300 million records across the globe throughout her decades-long career and is considered one of the most influential and successful female music artists of all time. She first gained recognition within the music industry when her debut single, “Everybody,” hit the charts in 1982. Madonna went on to have incredible success with many of her albums, including Like a Virgin, True Blue, Like a Prayer and Ray of Light. She has also starred in several films such as Desperately Seeking Susan, A League of Their Own, Evita, and Swept Away. In addition to her musical accomplishments, Madonna is known for her charity work, particularly her highly acclaimed "Raising Malawi" charity