Madonna Then & Now: Photos Of The Music Icon’s Evolution

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Madonna Through The Years

Madonna Through The Years — There really is no one like Madonna. Whether it’s her fashion sense or her music, the talented Pop Queen has a style and sound all her own. Over the years, she’s continued to innovate, going from a dance music star in the 80s to one of the most recognized vocalists

Madonna first broke onto the scene in the early ‘80s with hit songs like “Holiday,” “Borderline” and more. It wasn’t before long that her 1984 album Like A Virgin made her an icon. The star never shied away from controversy, causing outrage with her music videos for “Like A Prayer” and later on in the 90s with “Justify My Love”.

From “Material Girl” to country pop cutie and disco diva, she’s done it all. And no matter what Madonna makes her persona, she really knows how to nail it. Through her decades in the spotlight, she’s played with so many different looks, each one for exciting than the last. And now that she’s headed back on tour, to celebrate her 40th anniversary on stage, we can’t wait top see what she wears.

There really is no one like Madonna. Check out the rest of the gallery to see more images of the singer and actress through the years!

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Madonna Performing

Madonna Performing — Actress and singer Madonna sings on stage at the JFK Stadium in Philadelphia during the Live Aid concert in 1985. She looked great on stage and belted out some of her biggest early hits at the show.

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Madonna Hanging Out In 1983

Madonna Hanging Out In 1983 — Madonna hanging out in 1983. Her fashion sense was perfect for the time, as she wore an off-the-shoulder top, high ponytail and headband.

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Madonna at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards

Madonna at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards — Madonna attends the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards. She wore this white, lace dress with belt that said “Boy Toy!” Of course, her hair was in the perfect curly updo for the times, and she completed the look with glamorous white gloves.

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Madonna In Promotional Photo for ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’

Madonna In Promotional Photo for ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’ — Madonna poses for a promotional photo for ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’ in 1985. She looked so ’80s, by even wearing a bow atop her head and a string of long necklaces.

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Madonna Smiles During Filming of ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’

Madonna Smiles During Filming of ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’ — Madonna shows off her smile while filming ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’ in 1985. She looked so great with her curly hair framing her face and a bandana headband across the top of her head.

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Madonna in ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’

Madonna in ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’ — Madonna in ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’ in 1985. She is as much an accomplished actress as she is a singer, and she put on a stellar performance in the film.

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Madonna in Concert 1987

Madonna in Concert 1987 — Madonna performs in concert in 1987. She belted out her hit tunes and looked like Marilyn Monroe as she took the stage for the buzzed-about show.

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Madonna with Warren Beatty

Madonna with Warren Beatty — Madonna and Warren Beatty arriving and leaving her end of tour party at the Palace Nightclub in New York in June 1990. Madonna showed off her fierce, thick eyebrows with her hair pulled back into a tight ponytail.

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Madonna Jams Out While Performing In London

Madonna Jams Out While Performing In London — Madonna performs during her ‘Blonde Ambition’ tour at Wembley Stadium in London in July 1990. She completely jammed out in her iconic costume, which featured a corset-style dress.

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Madonna performing in Los Angeles

Madonna performing in Los Angeles — Madonna belts out a song after removing her jacket during the opening night of her ‘Blonde Ambition’ tour concert in Los Angeles. She wore her iconic cone bra beneath and had her hair pulled back in a tight ponytail.

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Madonna During Her ‘Blonde Ambition’ tour

Madonna During Her ‘Blonde Ambition’ tour — Madonna performs during her ‘Blonde Ambition’ tour at Wembley Stadium, London in July 1990. She struck a pose during her set and wore an all black outfit with sheer slit across her stomach.

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Madonna at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 1998

Madonna at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 1998 — Madonna at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Milan on Nov. 12, 1998. She held her statuette with a lot of pride and debuted a much darker hairstyle at the event.

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Madonna’s Life Poses at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2005

Madonna’s Life Poses at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2005 — Madonna poses on the stage as she attends the 2005 MTV Europe Music Awards on November 3, 2005 in the Atlantic Pavillion in Lisbon Portugal Lisbon. She looked great in this purple leather jacket and her little leotard!

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Madonna at the ‘I’m Going To Tell You A Secret’ Film Premiere

Madonna at the ‘I’m Going To Tell You A Secret’ Film Premiere — Madonna attends the ‘I’m Going To Tell You A Secret’ film premiere in London on Nov. 29, 2005. Madonna glanced at photographers before departing the event.

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Madonna at the ‘Revolver’ Film Screening

Madonna at the ‘Revolver’ Film Screening — Madonna at the ‘Revolver’ film screening in New York on Dec. 2, 2007. She looked so regal in her coat and was caught by paparazzi as she left the winter event.

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Madonna in Concert In 2012

Madonna in Concert In 2012 — Madonna in concert at The MGM Grand Resort in Las Vegas on Oct. 13, 2012. She looked incredible in her outfit, which was a much different look from her onstage look in the 80s.

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Madonna Performing In Las Vegas

Madonna Performing In Las Vegas — Madonna in concert at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Oct. 24, 2015. She looked incredible during her performance while wearing a black dress and red coat.

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Madonna at the Billboard Women in Music Awards

Madonna at the Billboard Women in Music Awards — Madonna at the Billboard Women in Music awards in New York on Dec. 9, 2016. She wore this colorful blazer with a gold bow choker at the event, where she was honored as one of the most influential women in music.

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Madonna at the 2016 Met Gala

Madonna at the 2016 Met Gala — Madonna at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Benefit Celebrating the Opening of Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology on May 2, 2016. Madonna rocked this black ensemble with a number of cutouts.

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Madonna at the 2017 Met Gala

Madonna at the 2017 Met Gala — Madonna attends the The Costume Institute Benefit celebrating the opening of Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art of the In-Between on May 1, 2017. She rocked this colorful, structured gown designed by Moschino.

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Madonna at the 2018 Met Gala

Madonna at the 2018 Met Gala — Madonna at the The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Benefit celebrating the opening of Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination on May 7, 2018. She really went for the event’s theme!

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Madonna at the Met Gala in 2018

Madonna at the Met Gala in 2018 — Madonna at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Benefit celebrating the opening of Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination on May 7, 2018. Her entired out fit looked incredible.

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Madonna at the MTV Video Music Awards

Madonna at the MTV Video Music Awards — Madonna at the MTV Video Music Awards Press Room in New York on Aug. 20, 2018. She wore this Temperley London Kimono and a head piece that had everyone talking.

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Madonna at the Billboard Music Awards in 2019

Madonna at the Billboard Music Awards in 2019 — Madonna performs at the Billboard Music Awards in May 2019. She wore a custom made Erdem ensemble.

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Madonna In London In 2020

Madonna In London In 2020 — Party girl! Madonna hangs out in London on Feb. 15, 2020. She used a walking cane, following a knee injury.

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Madonna Goes to Craig’s

Madonna Goes to Craig’s — Madonna looks chic in blue as she is spotted leaving dinner with friends at celebrity hot spot Craig’s in West Hollywood on Apr. 30, 2021. The star was simply ageless in a blue 3-piece pants suit with black boots and a blue crocodile skin purse. She finished the look with a pair of trendy black glasses and necklaces around her neck.

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Madonna Heads To The Nice Guy

Madonna Heads To The Nice Guy — Madonna looks stylish as she enjoys a night out at The Nice Guy on May 17, 2022. She wore silky boxer shorts with fishnets, a trenchcoat, combat boots, and fishnet tights.

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Madonna After The 2021 VMAs

Madonna After The 2021 VMAs — Madonna wasn’t afraid to be over the top rocking a white wedding veil with a sexy black lace bodysuit as she left a VMA’s after-party hosted by Doja Cat at 1 Oak in New York on Sep. 13, 2021. Fishnets and heels completed the ensemble.

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Madonna & A Friend Get Dinner

Madonna & A Friend Get Dinner — Madonna looks stylish in pink shorts and a Balenciaga top as she enjoys a night out at The Nice guy with a friend in June of 2022. She wore pink shorts, tons of jewelry, and a Balenciaga sweater.

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Madonna & David In 2022

Madonna & David In 2022 — Madonna’s son David Banda towered over the pop star during a 2022 trip out of New York’s JFK airport. He rocked a black Tonight Show pullover and diamond chains which matched his mom’s.

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Madonna & David At JFK

Madonna & David At JFK — Madonna was flying in style in Aug. 2022, when she and son David Banda left JFK. She wore a mesh top and Adidas sweatpants while making her way through security.

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Madonna In South Beach

Madonna In South Beach — Madonna looked super sexy while out in South Beach, Miami for Art Basel in Dec. 2022. She wore a risqué black lace ensemble and edgy orange braids while partying with her daughter Lourdes Leon.

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