Madonna was born in 1958 in Bay City, Michigan to a poor family with 8 children. Her mother died when she was 5 and her father remarried. She started dancing at age 7 and moved to New York City at 19 with only $35, dancing shoes, and a teddy bear. Some of Madonna's most famous songs include "Like a Prayer", "Take a Bow", "Live to Tell", "Open Your Heart", and "Papa Don't Preach". The author admires Madonna for her talents as a singer, dancer, writer and actress, her high intelligence with an IQ of 140%, helping poor people, and maintaining an amazing appearance at age 61.