Madonna

Arguably the most accomplished female music entertainer of all-time, Madonna has also been one of the most controversial entertainer’s throughout her long career. Madonna’s musical career broke out in 1983 with her successful self-titled debut album. She went on to produce three consecutive number one studio albums in the 1980s and has had four more since 2000. Surprisingly, it was a different art form that prompted the young Madonna to move from her birthplace and home in Michigan to New York City. Her early interest was in modern dance.

There is no questioning that Madonna made the right choice from a professional and financial standpoint. The “Queen of Pop” is the second best selling female rock artist of the 20^th century and the top selling female artist in the US. With over 200 million record sales worldwide, Madonna’s net worth is estimated at around $490 million.

Madonna has proven to be a woman willing to take risks from her early beginnings in entertainment. According to her, she had never been on a plane before she left home for New York, with just $35 in her pocket. She has taken plenty of risks in her career as well. Her pokes at religion and sexual themes have been part of her staple as an artist, which has sometimes drawn the ire of leading political authorities, including the Vatican. She has also acted in 22 films, though most have been critical and commercial failures. Her most successful film work was most certainly the 1996 musical Evita, which earned her a Golden Globe.

Risk taking is a character trait of virtually everyone who has reached the pinnacle in any career or profession. Entrepreneurs, business people, and entertainers must be willing to take chances to earn the greatest rewards. As Madonna has shown, there are failures that come with risk, but her biggest accomplishments would never have happened if she had not been willing to step out and go after what she wanted.