By Maurice Gravelle

1997

  • Jan (3) Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon is baptized at St. Jude Melkite Catholic Church, Miami, FL. Evita is released in 20 US cities.
  • (5) Evita hits #20 at the US box-office with $2.22 million during its limited weekend release.
  • (9) Madonna guests on CBS-TV’s The Rosie O’Donnell Show.
  • (9,10) Madonna is featured in a 2-part interview with Matt Lauer on NBC-TV’s Today.
  • (10) Evita is released nationwide.
  • (12) Evita hits #2 at the US box-office with $8.4 million on its nationwide opening weekend (704 theatres).
  • (13) Madonna is interviewed on CBS-TV’s This Morning.
  • (14) Madonna is #3 on Mr. Blackwell’s 37th annual list of the best-dressed women of 1996.
  • (15) Evita wins Best Motion Picture, Musical Or Comedy at the 1st annual Golden Satellite Awards in Los Angeles, CA.
  • (19) Madonna wins Best Actress In A Motion Picture, Musical Or Comedy in Evita at the 54th annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA; Evita wins Best Motion Picture, Musical Or Comedy and “You Must Love Me” wins Best Original Song, Motion Picture (Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice).
  • (24) Evita: The Complete Motion Picture Music Soundtrack is certified 1x platinum (1 million units).
  • Feb (1) Evita: The Complete Motion Picture Music Soundtrack hits US #2.
  • (11) “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” (from Evita) is released as a maxi-single in US.
  • (16) Madonna makes a special appearance at Elizabeth Taylor’s 65th birthday party at The Pantages Theatre, Los Angeles, CA.
  • (24) Happy Birthday Elizabeth: A Celebration Of Life premieres on ABC-TV.
  • Mar (1) “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” hits US #8.
  • (3) Madonna is named Most Successful International Female Artist at the 6th annual Echo Awards in Hamburg, Germany.
  • (14) Madonna wins the American Moviegoer Award for Outstanding Performance By A Female Actor in Evita.
  • (18) “Another Suitcase In Another Hall” (from Evita) is released as a UK single.
  • (24) Madonna performs “You Must Love Me” from Evita at the 69th annual Academy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA and it wins the Oscar for Best Original Song by Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice.
  • (29) “Another Suitcase In Another Hall” hits UK #7.
  • Apr (8) Evita: The Complete Motion Picture Music Soundtrack is certified 2x platinum (2 million units).
  • (19) Madonna is featured in a special pre-taped video at the 10th annual Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards in Los Angeles, CA.
  • (27) Evita has grossed $49 million US and a global total of $140.9 million.
  • (29) Madonna contributes “Freedom” (recorded in 1994) to the Rainforest Foundation benefit CD Carnival!.
  • May (15) Like A Prayer is named one of the “200 Best Albums Ever Made” by Rolling Stone magazine.
  • (19) “You’ll See” is honored as one of the Most Performed Songs Of 1996 at the 14th annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA.
  • (20) “Madonna: The Girlie Show – Live Down Under” (1994) is released on DVD.
  • Jun (28) Madonna attends the Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield heavyweight fight at the MGM Grand Garden, Las Vegas, NV.
  • (30) Madonna begins recording a new album with producer William Orbit at Larrabee Studios North, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Jul (16) Like A Prayer is certified 4x platinum (4 million units).
  • (28) Madonna writes a one-page tribute to Time magazine in memory of the late Gianni Versace, who was murdered on July 15.
  • (29) Evita: Music From The Motion Picture CD (highlights from Evita soundtrack) is released in US.
  • Aug (5) Evita is released on home video.
  • (19) “Buenos Aires” (from Evita) is released only to club DJs and radio stations in US to promote Evita on video.
  • (26) Truth Or Dare (1991) is released on DVD.
  • (30) Evita: Music From The Motion Picture hits US #167.
  • Sep (3) In an interview with The London Times, Madonna speaks about the death of Princess Diana, who was killed in a car accident in Paris, France on Aug 31, 1997.
  • (4) Madonna makes a special appearance to introduce a live performance by Prodigy at the 14th annual MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY.
  • (8) Madonna attends a memorial service for Gianni Versace at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Manhattan, NY.
  • (9) A League Of Their Own (1992) is released on DVD.
  • Nov (1) “Buenos Aires” hits #3 on US Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.
  • (3) Madonna attends Marc Jacobs fashion show at the opening of New York City’s 7th On 6th annual Fashion Week.
  • (13) Madonna, Tina Turner and Courtney Love are photographed on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine’s 30th anniversary issue.
  • Dec (8) Madonna attends the Gianni Versace tribute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, Manhattan, NY.

1998

  • Jan (7) Madonna begins filming “Frozen” video in the Mojave Desert, CA, directed by Chris Cunningham.
  • (13) Madonna is #3 on Mr. Blackwell’s 38th annual list of the worst-dressed women of 1997.
  • (18) Madonna presents the award for Best Actor In A Motion Picture, Musical Or Comedy to Jack Nicholson in As Good As It Gets at the 55th annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA.
  • Feb (14) Madonna performs a surprise mini-concert at 2:00 am to a sold-out crowd of 2,500 at The Roxy Club, New York, NY to promote her new CD Ray Of Light – it is her first club performance in 14 years.
  • (16) “Frozen” video premieres on MTV.
  • (17) Madonna arrives in London, England to begin her European promotional tour for Ray Of Light.
  • (21) Madonna performs “Frozen” on BBC1-TV’s National Lottery Show in London, England.
  • (24) Madonna performs “Frozen” at the San Remo Song Festival in San Remo, Italy.
  • (27) Madonna performs “Frozen” and is interviewed on TF1′s Les Années Tubes TV show in Paris, France.
  • (28) Madonna performs “Frozen” on Wetten Dass TV show in Duisberg, Germany.
  • Mar (1) Inside Madonna TV special premieres on MTV.
  • (2) Madonna completes her European promotional tour for Ray Of Light in Madrid, Spain.
  • (3) Ray Of Light CD and “Frozen” single are released.
  • (6) Madonna visits Toronto, ON, Canada to promote Ray Of Light: she attends a press conference at The Sutton Place Hotel and is interviewed live at 6:00 pm on MuchMusic TV.
  • (10) “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” wins Favorite Song From A Movie (Evita) at the 4th annual Blockbuster Entertainment Awards at the Pantages Theatre, Los Angeles, CA.
  • (13) Madonna guests and performs “Frozen” on NBC-TV’s The Rosie O’Donnell Show.
  • (15) Madonna attends the New York premiere of film Wide Awake (starring Rosie O’Donnell) at the Ziegfeld Theatre.
  • (21) Ray Of Light hits US #2.
  • (23) Madonna presents the Oscar for Best Original Song to James Horner and Will Jennings for “My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic at the 70th annual Academy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA.
  • (24) Evita is released on DVD.
  • (25) Madonna begins filming “Ray Of Light” video in Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY, directed by Jonas Akerlund.
  • Apr (1) Madonna attends the premiere of film Mercury Rising in Beverly Hills, CA.
  • (4) Madonna presents the Kids’ Choice Blimp Award for favorite movie to Titanic and introduces a live performance by Cleopatra at the 11th annual Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards at the UCLA Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA. “Frozen” hits US #2.
  • (12) Madonna Rising TV special premieres on VH1.
  • (22) Madonna attends the New York premiere party of film Two Girls And A Guy at the club Moomba. Ray Of Light is certified 2x platinum (2 million units).
  • (27) Madonna performs “Frozen” with the East Harlem Violin Project at the 9th annual Rainforest Foundation Benefit Concert at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY, and also joins Elton John, Sting, James Taylor, Billy Joel, Herbie Hancock, Roberta Flack, Emmylou Harris and Joe Cocker in a rendition of The Beatles’ “With A Little Help From My Friends” and “Twist & Shout”.
  • (28) Madonna attends the New York premiere of film Artemisia.
  • (30) “Frozen” single is certified gold (500,000 units).
  • May (8) Madonna is signed to co-star with Rupert Everett in Paramount Pictures film The Next Best Thing.
  • (12) “Ray Of Light” video premieres on MTV.
  • (18) “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” is honored as one of the Most Performed Songs Of 1997 at the 15th annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA.
  • (21) Like A Virgin is certified 10x platinum (10 million units).
  • (29) Madonna guests on CBS-TV’s The Oprah Winfrey Show: she performs “Ray Of Light” and “Little Star”.
  • Jun (23) “Ray Of Light” single and video single are released.
  • (25) Madonna begins filming “Drowned World/Substitute For Love” video in London, England, directed by Walter Stern.
  • (30) Madonna – BIOrhythm TV special premieres on MTV.
  • Jul (1) Madonna and Lourdes attend a Spice Girls concert at Madison Square Garden, New York, NY.
  • (7) Madonna is the centre of a controversy when The London Daily Mirror accuses her of exploiting the late Princess Diana’s tragic death in “Drowned World/Substitute For Love” video; a spokeswoman for Madonna releases a statement explaining that the video has nothing to do with Princess Diana and her life or her death.
  • (11) “Ray Of Light” hits US #5. “Ray Of Light” video single hits US #4 on Top Music Videos chart.
  • (25) “Drowned World/Substitute For Love” video premieres in Europe. “Ray Of Light” wins Video Of The Year at the 1998 VH1 Viewer’s Vote Awards.
  • Aug (1) Madonna is named VH1′s Artist Of The Month.
  • (8) Madonna begins filming “The Power Of Good-Bye” video in Los Angeles, CA, directed by Matthew Rolston.
  • (12) Madonna is interviewed on ABC TV’s Entertainment Tonight.
  • (14) Madonna wins Best International Act at the German VIVA Comet Media Awards at the Akropolis in Cologne, Germany.
  • (16) Madonna celebrates her 40th birthday. Madonna: Behind The Music documentary premieres on VH1.
  • (24) “Drowned World/Substitute For Love” is released as a UK single.
  • (25) Madonna reads the poem “Bittersweet” on Deepak Chopra’s 2-CD set A Gift Of Love – Deepak & Friends Present Music Inspired By The Love Poems Of Rumi.
  • (31) Madonna is interviewed on the set of “The Power Of Good-Bye” video on ABC-TV’s Entertainment Tonight.
  • Sep (5) “Drowned World/Substitute For Love” hits UK #10.
  • (10) Madonna performs “Shanti/Ashtangi” and “Ray Of Light” at the 15th annual MTV Video Music Awards at the Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles, CA; “Ray Of Light” wins Best Video, Best Female Video, Best Direction, Best Choreography, Best Editing and “Frozen” wins Best Special Effects. “Ray Of Light” single is certified gold (500,000 units).
  • (9,10) Madonna is featured in a 2-part interview on ABC-TV’s Good Morning America.
  • (11) “The Power Of Good-Bye” video premieres on MTV.
  • (16) The World Vaishnava Association (WVA) condemns Madonna’s performance of “Shanti/Ashtangi” at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sept 10 as sacrilegious in which she wore a holy facial marking and a see-through blouse. The New York Post announces that Madonna is dating 29-year-old British film director Guy Ritchie.
  • (17) Madonna releases a statement against the WVA’s criticism of her MTV performance: “The essence of purity and divinity is non-judgement… they should practice what they preach… if they’re so pure, why are they watching MTV?”
  • (24) Madonna accepts the Best International Video award for “Ray Of Light” via taped message at the 9th annual MuchMusic Video Awards at the Chumcity Building, Toronto, ON, Canada.
  • (27) Madonna is guest of honor at the 14th annual AIDS Walk Los Angeles at Paramount Studios, Hollywood, CA.
  • (28) Madonna narrates a chapter of “The Emperor’s New Clothes” story on the Starbright Foundation benefit CD The Emperor’s New Clothes: An All-Star Retelling Of The Classic Fairy Tale.
  • (29) “The Power Of Good-Bye” single is released.
  • Oct (15) Madonna is featured in book Ladies Home Journal’s 100 Most Important Women Of The 21st Century.
  • (21) Madonna presents the Man Of The Year Award to Sting at GQ’s Men Of The Year Awards at Radio City Music Hall, New York.
  • (22) “Borderline”, “Papa Don’t Preach”, “True Blue” and “You Must Love Me” singles are certified gold (500,000 units).
  • (23) Madonna performs “The Power Of Good-Bye” at the 4th annual VH1 Fashion Awards at the Theatre in Madison Square Garden, New York, NY; she is honored with the Gianni Versace Tribute Award and wins Most Fashionable Artist.
  • (30) Madonna begins a European promotional tour for “The Power Of Good-Bye” single.
  • Nov (1) Madonna makes a surprise appearance in London, England to present a lifetime achievement award to film director Alan Parker (Evita) at the Directors’ Guild of Great Britain dinner in his honor on a boat on the River Thames.
  • (7) Madonna performs “The Power Of Good-Bye” on Wetten Dass TV show in Linz, Austria.
  • (9) Madonna is interviewed on NRJ Radio Show in Paris, France.
  • (10) Madonna performs “The Power Of Good-Bye” and “Drowned World” on TF1′s Les Années Tubes TV show in Paris, France.
  • (12) Madonna performs “The Power Of Good-Bye” at the 5th annual MTV Europe Music Awards at the Fila Forum in Milan, Italy and wins 2 awards: Best Female and Best Album (Ray Of Light).
  • (14) Madonna attends a press conference at the Grand Hotel in Stockholm, Sweden – her first visit to Sweden in 8 years.
  • (15) Madonna performs “The Power Of Good-Bye” and is interviewed on Luuk TV show in Stockholm, Sweden.
  • (17) Madonna performs “The Power Of Good-Bye” and “Drowned World” on El Septimo De Caballeria TV show in Madrid, Spain.
  • (19) Madonna performs “The Power Of Good-Bye” on BBC1-TV’s Top Of The Pops in London, England.
  • (20) Madonna is interviewed by Johnny Vaughan on his BBC-TV show in London, England.
  • (28) “The Power Of Good-Bye” hits US #11.
  • Dec (6) Madonna narrates “The Camel Dances” story on animated HBO-TV special Rosie O’Donnell’s Kids Are Punny.
  • (7) Madonna congratulates Tony Bennett on his 50th anniversary in show business via taped message during his A&E-TV special Tony Bennett – Live By Request: An All-Star Tribute.
  • (9) Madonna attends the 9th annual Fire & Ice Ball at Universal Studios, Los Angeles, CA.
  • (11) Ray Of Light is certified 3x platinum (3 million units).
  • (26) Madonna wins 2 Billboard Music Awards: Top Dance Club Play Artist and Top Dance Club Play Single (“Ray Of Light”).
  • (30) In Denmark, Madonna and Ray Of Light are named the most popular artist and album of 1998.

1999

  • Jan (1) Madonna is voted Artist Of The Year by readers of the music internet website Rock On The Net.
  • (4) Ray Of Light is voted Favorite Album Of The Year by Billboard magazine.
  • (5) Madonna and Ray Of Light are nominated for 6 Grammy Awards: Album Of The Year, Record Of The Year, Best Pop Album, Best Dance Recording, Best Recording Package and Best Short-Form Music Video.
  • (9) Madonna begins filming “Nothing Really Matters” video in New York, NY, directed by Johan Renck.
  • (12) Madonna is #2 on Mr. Blackwell’s 39th annual list of the worst-dressed women of 1998.
  • (18) Madonna guests on CNN-TV’s Larry King Live.
  • (21) Madonna wins Best Female Artist and Best Dance/Electronica Artist in Rolling Stone magazine’s 23rd annual Readers Poll.
  • (29) Ray Of Light is voted Pop/Rock Album Of The Year by Playboy magazine.
  • Feb (2) Madonna signs a long-term licensing and marketing contract with Sony Signatures: she will lend her name and image to fashion designers and manufacturers of fragrances, cosmetics and collectibles, and Swiss watchmaker Ebel.
  • (5) Madonna is interviewed on ABC-TV’s Entertainment Tonight.
  • (6) Madonna wins Best International Female Artist and Best International Album (Ray Of Light) at the 10th annual Dansk Grammy Awards at Tivoli’s Garden Concert Hall in Copenhagen, Denmark.
  • (8) Madonna wins Female Artist Of The Year at the 1st annual NRJ Radio Awards at Cirkus in Stockholm, Sweden.
  • (10) Madonna attends a reception at Astra in the D&D Building, New York, for the unveiling of Esquire magazine’s March 1999 issue about the AIDS crisis in which she is featured on the cover with other AIDS activists.
  • (13) “Nothing Really Matters” video premieres on MTV.
  • (16) Madonna attends the Los Angeles premiere of Guy Ritchie film Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels.
  • (22) Max Factor announces a $6.5 million agreement with Madonna to collaborate on a line of several new cosmetic products, and she will also appear in TV commercials and ad campaigns which will run in Europe, Japan and Asia.
  • (24) Madonna performs “Nothing Really Matters” at the 41st annual Grammy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA; Ray Of Light wins Best Pop Album, Best Dance Recording, Best Recording Package and Best Short-Form Music Video.
  • Mar (2) Maverick Recording Company and Warner Bros. Inc. announce a long-term extension of their joint venture which also includes a new long-term contract with Maverick partners Madonna, Guy Oseary and Ronnie Dashev.
  • (3) Madonna is voted Electronic Artist Of The Year and Ray Of Light is voted Electronic Album Of The Year in the 2nd annual Sonicnet / Addicted To Noise Readers Poll.
  • (4) Madonna wins Best International Female Artist at the 39th annual Edison Music Awards in Amsterdam, Holland.
  • (9) “Madonna – Ciao Italia: Live From Italy” (1988) is released on DVD.
  • (15) Madonna is named one of People magazine’s “25 Legends Of The Past 25 Years”.
  • (17) Madonna wins Best Dance Artist – Solo and Best Dance Video (“Ray Of Light”) at the 14th annual International Dance Music Awards at the Winter Music Conference in Miami, FL.
  • (19) Madonna attends Sony Music’s pre-Academy Awards party at Mondrian Hotel’s Asia de Cuba restaurant, Los Angeles, CA.
  • (20) Madonna begins filming Max Factor commercial in Los Angeles, CA, directed by Alek Keshishian.
  • (21) Madonna attends the Vanity Fair post-Academy Awards party at Morton’s restaurant, West Hollywood, CA.
  • (29) Evita: The Complete Motion Picture Music Soundtrack is certified 5x platinum (5 million units).
  • Apr (5) Madonna is voted the Most Positive & Influential Sexual Voice Of The Past 35 Years in a USA Today online survey.
  • (9) “Ray Of Light” wins Pop Video Of The Year and “Frozen” wins Best Special Effects In A Music Video at the 8th annual Music Video Production Association (MVPA) Awards at the Egyptian Theatre, Los Angeles, CA.
  • (13) “Nothing Really Matters” single is released.
  • (14) Ray Of Light wins Best Foreign Album Of The Year at the Fryderyk Music Awards in Warsaw, Poland.
  • (20) Four Rooms (1995) is released on DVD.
  • (23) Madonna begins filming The Next Best Thing, starring Rupert Everett and Benjamin Bratt, directed by John Schlesinger.
  • (25) Madonna is featured in various photographs in The UK Sunday Times for the Max Factor campaign.
  • (30) The Max Factor commercial premieres on TV in Europe.
  • May (1) Madonna begins filming “Beautiful Stranger” video at Universal Studios, Los Angeles, CA, directed by Brett Ratner.
  • (2) Madonna wins Best International Pop/Rock Album (Ray Of Light) and Best International Music Video (“Frozen”) at the 6th annual Croatian Porin Music Awards in Makarska, Croatia.
  • (8) “Nothing Really Matters” hits US #93.
  • (11) Madonna & Ricky Martin duet “Cuidado Con Mi Corazon (Be Careful With My Heart)” is featured on his CD Ricky Martin.
  • (13) Ray Of Light is named one of Rolling Stone magazine’s “Essential Recordings Of The 90s”.
  • (17) “Frozen” is honored as one of the Most Performed Songs Of 1998 at the 16th annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA.
  • (19) “Beautiful Stranger” video premieres on MTV. Madonna is interviewed by Charlie Rose on CBS-TV’s 60 Minutes II.
  • (23) Guinness Book of Records – Top 100 Singles includes “Crazy For You” #16 and “Holiday” #33.
  • (26) “Ray Of Light” is honored as Top ASCAP Dance Song at the 12th annual ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards in the Hammerstein Ballroom at Manhattan Center, New York, NY.
  • Jun (1) “Beautiful Stranger” single (from film Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me) is released.
  • (8) “The Immaculate Collection” (1990) is released on DVD.
  • (10) Madonna and Rupert Everett attend the Los Angeles premiere of his film An Ideal Husband.
  • (16) Madonna is interviewed on ABC-TV’s Entertainment Tonight.
  • (29) Madonna files a $2.5 million lawsuit against her ex-financial advisors, Padell, Nadell, Fine, Weinberger & Co. for malpractice and breach of contract: she claims to have paid $2 million in New York state income taxes in 1992 after the firm prepared her taxes saying she was a California resident; Madonna seeks $2 million in compensatory damages and $500,000 in punitive damages.
  • (30) Madonna completes filming The Next Best Thing in Los Angeles, CA.
  • Jul (15) “Beautiful Stranger” is the most-played song on radio ever in UK: it was played 2,462 times in only one week.
  • (17) During a 2-week vacation in Europe, Madonna attends the Versace Fashion Couture party at Man Ray Club in Paris, France.
  • (24) “Beautiful Stranger” hits US #19.
  • (26) “Beautiful Stranger” wins Best Pop Song Of The Year on BBC2-TV’s Gaytime TV Awards in London, England.
  • Aug (2) Madonna attends the Talk magazine launch party on Liberty Island, Manhattan, NY.
  • Sep (9) Madonna wins Best Video From A Film for “Beautiful Stranger” and co-presents with Paul McCartney the Best Video Of The Year award to Lauryn Hill for “Doo Wop (That Thing)” at the 16th annual MTV Video Music Awards at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York, NY. (Madonna is crowned Most Honored Artist Of The 20th Century in the 15-year history of the MTV Video Music Awards with a career total of 18 awards).
  • (12) Madonna and Lourdes attend the Versace Spring 2000 Show at the Roseland Ballroom, New York, NY.
  • (30) “Blond Ambition Tour” is named The Greatest Concert Of The 1990s by Rolling Stone magazine.
  • Oct (7) Madonna wins Favorite Female Artist at the 1st annual ARTIST Direct Online Music Awards in Los Angeles, CA.
  • (13) Madonna attends the Details magazine party at the Metropolitan Pavilion, New York, NY.
  • (17) Madonna receives death threats from a telephone caller on her way to London, England to begin work on a new album; upon their arrival at Heathrow Airport, Madonna and Lourdes are escorted by police but there are no incidents.
  • Nov (1) Guinness World Records: Madonna is the most successful female solo artist for selling 120 million albums worldwide.
  • (7) Madonna is #5 on “Top Entertainers Of The Half-Century (1950-2000)” list by Entertainment Weekly magazine.
  • (9) “Madonna: The Video Collection 1993-99″ is released on home video and DVD. Madonna is named Top-Selling Female Rock Artist Of The Century by the Recording Industry Association Of America (RIAA).
  • (13) In UK, Madonna is voted Female Performer Of The Millenium on Channel 4′s Music Of The Millenium Poll.
  • (17) Madonna is voted Favorite Female Music Artist Of The 80s (37.8% votes) on AccessHollywood.com – Millenium Poll.
  • (27) “Madonna: The Video Collection 1993-99″ hits US #3 on Top Music Videos chart.
  • (30) MTV & TV Guide’s Top 100 Videos Ever Made includes “Vogue” #2, “Express Yourself” #10 and “Lucky Star” #50.
  • Dec (1) Madonna is crowned Artist Of The Millenium by MTV Asia. Madonna is voted #3 Artist Of The Decade and “Beautiful Stranger” is #2 Song Of The Decade in RollingStone.com and TDK’s “90s Music Time Capsule” Online Survey.
  • (5) Madonna presents the Male Celebrity Style Award to Rupert Everett at the 5th annual VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards at the Lexington Avenue Armory, Manhattan, NY.
  • (12) Madonna is #8 on The Detroit Free Press newspaper’s “100 Greatest Artists & Entertainers Of Michigan’s Century”.
  • (14) Madonna is voted Female Artist Of The Century by readers of SongLink International, a UK songwriters and music magazine.
  • (18) Madonna is #3 on VH1-UK’s “Millenium Honors List” of the top 100 greatest artists of the millenium.
  • (25) Madonna is featured in Billboard magazine’s “Totally 90s – Diary Of A Decade”: Top Pop Artist Of The Decade #6, Top Pop Female Artist Of The Decade #4, Hot 100 Singles Of The Decade “Take A Bow” #24 and “Vogue” #93.
  • (28) Madonna is honored as Female Artist Of The Millenium by Radio Tel Aviv in Israel.
  • (30) In Australia, Madonna is voted #1 “Female Music Star Of The Millenium” in a Virtual Time Capsule by 2DayFM radio station.
  • (31) MuchMusic: Top 100 Videos Of The Century includes “Express Yourself” #3, “Ray Of Light” #8 and “Like A Prayer” #47.

2000

  • Jan (1) Madonna and Guy Ritchie celebrate the new millenium at Donatella Versace’s party at the Versace Mansion in Miami, FL.
  • (3) In Israel, Madonna is named Female Artist Of The Decade by listeners of Galgalatz radio station.
  • (4) Madonna is nominated for 2 Grammy Awards: Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Best Song Written For A Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media (“Beautiful Stranger”).
  • (10) Madonna begins filming “American Pie” video in London, England, directed by Phillip Stolzl.
  • (14) “Beautiful Stranger” wins Best Song at the 3rd annual Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards in Las Vegas, NV.
  • (18) “Beautiful Stranger” is named the most-played song on UK radio in the year 1999: it was played 44,483 times to an audience of 1,468,204 radio listeners which makes Madonna the first female solo artist to top the Radio Airplay chart in England.
  • Feb (2) Madonna is interviewed on ABC-TV’s Entertainment Tonight.
  • (4) Madonna and Benjamin Bratt (co-star of The Next Best Thing) guest on NBC-TV’s The Rosie O’Donnell Show.
  • (5) Madonna is a special guest at the 27th annual Evening Standard British Film Awards at the Savoy Hotel, London, England.
  • (11) “American Pie” video premieres on MTV.
  • (14) Madonna attends the London premiere of film The Talented Mr. Ripley at the Empire Theatre, Leicester Square.
  • (22) The Next Best Thing: Music From The Motion Picture soundtrack CD is released and includes 2 new songs by Madonna: “American Pie” (a remake of 1971 Don McLean classic) and “Time Stood Still”.
  • (23) “Beautiful Stranger” wins Best Song Written For A Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media at the 42nd annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA.
  • (26) MTV – Top 25 Most Played Music Videos includes “Like A Virgin” #8 and “Vogue” #18.
  • (28) “American Pie” single (from The Next Best Thing) is released.
  • (29) Madonna and Guy Ritchie attend the New York premiere of The Next Best Thing at the Loews Cineplex Theatre. Madonna Exposed – The Next Best Thing Movie Special premieres on VH1.
  • Mar (1) Madonna guests on MTV’s Total Request Live (TRL) at the MTV Building in Times Square, New York, NY.
  • (2,3) Madonna is interviewed by Matt Lauer on NBC-TV’s Today.
  • (3) The Next Best Thing is released nationwide. Madonna is featured in an interview on MTV’s Fanatic.
  • (4) “American Pie” hits US #29.
  • (5) The Next Best Thing hits #2 at the US box-office with $5.8 million on its opening weekend.
  • (16) The Immaculate Collection is certified 9x platinum (9 million units), Ray Of Light is certified 4x platinum (4 million units).
  • (20) Madonna announces she is 3-months pregnant with her second child and the father is Guy Ritchie.
  • (23) Madonna and Guy attend the re-opening of the Tate Britain Gallery, London, England.
  • (25) Madonna wins a Razzie Award for Worst Actress Of The Century at the 20th annual Golden Raspberry Awards at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel Academy Room, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Apr (7) “Beautiful Stranger” wins Best Cinematography In A Music Video at the 9th annual Music Video Production Association (MVPA) Awards at the Directors Guild of America, Los Angeles, CA.
  • (20) Madonna begins filming “Music” video in Los Angeles, CA, directed by Jonas Akerlund.
  • (25) “Beautiful Stranger” is honored as one of the Most Performed Songs From A Motion Picture at the 15th annual ASCAP Film & Television Music Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA.
  • May (21) The Next Best Thing has grossed a total of $14.9 million US at the box-office.
  • (25) “Beautiful Stranger” wins PRS (Performing Rights Society) Most Performed Work at the 45th annual Ivor Novello Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, England.
  • (31) A copy of Madonna’s new single “Music” is illegally downloaded on the internet by Napster months before its release date and her record company is threatening legal action.
  • Jun (1) Madonna attends a charity dinner hosted by HRH Prince Charles at his Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire, England.
  • (6) Madonna attends the London premiere of The Next Best Thing at the Odeon West End Theatre, Leicester Square.
  • (7) “Nothing Really Matters” is honored as one of the Most Performed Dance Songs Of 1999 at the 13th annual ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards in the Hammerstein Ballroom at Manhattan Center, New York, NY.
  • (13) Desperately Seeking Susan (1985) is released on DVD.
  • (18) In Singapore, Madonna is named Best Female Artist at the 1st annual Radio Music Awards at the Harbour Pavilion.
  • Aug (1) The official website www.MadonnaMusic.com is launched by Warner Bros Records.
  • (2) “Music” video premieres on MTV.
  • (11) Madonna gives birth to a 5-lb, 9-oz boy, Rocco Ritchie, at 11:59 am at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre, Los Angeles, CA.
  • (22) “Music” single is released.
  • (24) Madonna files a complaint with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) of the United Nations for ownership of the internet address www.madonna.com, a pornographic website presently owned by New Jersey entrepreneur Dan Parisi.
  • (26) Madonna becomes the first female solo artist to have 10 No. 1 singles in UK with “Music”.
  • (29) The Next Best Thing is released on home video and DVD.
  • Sep (5) “Music” DVD video single is released.
  • (16) “Music” hits US #1 for four consecutive weeks – it is her 12th No. 1 and 33rd Top 10 single in US.
  • (18) Madonna participates in her first live online chat on America Online (AOL).
  • (19) Music CD is released. Madonna attends the Music launch party at the club Catch One, Los Angeles, CA.
  • (22) Madonna makes a surprise in-store appearance at the Virgin Megastore, West Hollywood, CA, to sign copies of Music CD.
  • (23) “Music” DVD hits US #3 on Top Music Videos chart.
  • (24) Music has sold 420,000 US copies in one week and hits #1 in 23 countries such as: Austria, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US.
  • (26) Madonna announces she will perform mini-concerts in New York and London clubs in Nov 2000.
  • Oct (3) Madonna is certified 5x platinum (5 million units), Something To Remember is certified 3x platinum (3 million units).
  • (7) Music hits US #1 for one week – her first No. 1 album in 11 years.
  • (10) VH1 – 100 Greatest Dance Songs includes “Vogue” #4 and “Into The Groove” #40.
  • (16) Madonna wins her case for ownership of the internet address www.madonna.com and the World Intellectual Property Organization orders businessman Dan Parisi to transfer the site back to her.
  • (17) Madonna begins filming “Don’t Tell Me” video in Los Angeles, CA, directed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino.
  • (24) Madonna contributes “Shanti/Ashtangi” to all-star Tibetan benefit CD Mantra Mix.
  • (25) Music is certified 2x platinum (2 million units), “Music” single is certified 1x platinum (1 million units).
  • (26) RIAA Top Selling Artists: Madonna is #10 with 57 million certified units in US.
  • Nov (1) Guinness World Records: Madonna is the most successful female solo artist for selling 130 million records (singles and albums) and having 35 Top 10 singles and 12 Top 10 albums in US with a UK total of 47 Top 10 singles and 14 Top 10 albums.
  • (3) Madonna guests and performs “Don’t Tell Me” on CBS-TV’s Late Show With David Letterman.
  • (5) Madonna performs a mini-concert at the Roseland Ballroom, New York, NY.
  • (7) Madonna announces she will perform at Brixton Academy, London on Nov 28 – her first UK concert in 7 years.
  • (10) “Music” wins Best Pop Clip Of The Year at the 22nd annual Billboard Video Awards at the Universal Hilton, Los Angeles, CA.
  • (11) Madonna guests and performs “Don’t Tell Me” on Wetten Dass TV show in Freiburg, Germany.
  • (12) Madonna is interviewed on CNN-TV’s World Beat.
  • (13) Madonna is named Best International Female Artist at the 4th annual Premios Amigo Awards in Madrid, Spain.
  • (16) Madonna performs “Music” at the 7th annual MTV Europe Music Awards at the Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden and wins 2 awards: Best Female and Best Dance Act.
  • (17) “Don’t Tell Me” video world premieres on BBC1-TV’s Top Of The Pops in London, England.
  • (18) Madonna is interviewed on NRJ Radio Show at the Champs Elysées in Paris, France.
  • (19) Madonna performs “Music” and “Don’t Tell Me” and is interviewed on Nulle Part Ailleurs TV show in Paris, France.
  • (20) Madonna is interviewed on TF1′s Journal de 20 Heures in Paris, France.
  • (24) Madonna performs “Don’t Tell Me” on BBC1-TV’s Top Of The Pops in London, England.
  • (25) Rolling Stone & MTV: The 100 Greatest Pop Songs includes “Like A Virgin” #4, “Vogue” #19 and “Papa Don’t Preach” #62.
  • (27) “Don’t Tell Me” video premieres on VH1.
  • (28) Madonna performs a mini-concert at Brixton Academy, London, England, which is webcast live on the internet on Microsoft Network (MSN) at 8:00 pm GMT and seen by 9 million viewers in UK, US and Europe – it is the biggest live webcast ever and breaks the record of 3 million set by Paul McCartney’s online concert at Liverpool’s The Cavern Club in 1999.
  • (30) In UK, Madonna’s house is burglarized while she and her family are asleep: reports confirm that thieves stole her boyfriend’s Range Rover and various other items; the vehicle is recovered and the matter is being investigated by police.
  • Dec (2) Madonna performs “Don’t Tell Me” on Carramba Che Fortuna TV show in Rome, Italy.
  • (7) Madonna announces her engagement to Guy Ritchie and that they will marry in Scotland on Dec 22, 2000.
  • (15) Madonna purchases an $8 million estate in London, England. “Music” is named Single Of The Year by People magazine.
  • (17) “Music” is voted Best Pop Single and Best Pop Album in Dotmusic.com Records Of The Year Readers Poll.
  • (18) Madonna and her family arrive in Scotland to begin wedding preparations; upon her arrival at Inverness Airport, she is greeted by journalists, fans and a bagpiper who welcomes her with a rendition of “Like A Virgin”.
  • (21) Rocco Ritchie is baptized at Dornoch Cathedral, Dornoch, Scotland.
  • (22) Madonna and Guy Ritchie are married at Skibo Castle in Dornoch, Sutherland, Scotland with Gwyneth Paltrow, Stella McCartney, Sting, George Clooney, Jon Bon Jovi, Celine Dion, Bryan Adams, Rupert Everett and others in attendance.
  • (23) Madonna and Guy leave Scotland for their honeymoon: it is reported that they will spend Christmas with Sting and his wife Trudi Styler at their holiday-weekend estate in Wiltshire, England.
  • (25) Madonna performs “Music” on a special Christmas episode of BBC1-TV’s Top Of The Pops in London, England.
  • (29) Madonna is named Woman Of The Year, Hype Of The Year (Madonna at Brixton) and “Music” is named Best Promo Video Of The Year by the writers of Dotmusic.com.
  • (30) Madonna wins Top Hot Dance Club Play Artist, Top Hot Dance Club Play Single (“Music”) and Top Hot Dance Maxi-Singles Sales (“Music”) in Billboard magazine’s The Year In Music survey.

2001

  • Jan (3) Madonna is nominated for 4 Grammy Awards: Record Of The Year, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance (“Music”), Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Recording Package (Music).
  • (4) VH1 – 100 Greatest Albums Of Rock N Roll includes Like A Prayer at #100.
  • (9) Madonna contributes “Lucky Star” (1984) to Snatch: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack CD. Madonna is #4 on Mr. Blackwell’s 41st annual list of the worst-dressed women of 2000.
  • (14) In Canada, “Music” and “American Pie” are named the No. 1 and No. 2 Top Singles Of The Year 2000 – it is the first time in Canadian chart history that an artist holds both the top 2 positions on the year-end music charts.
  • (16) “Don’t Tell Me” single (which includes a bonus CD-ROM video) is released.
  • (18) Madonna and Guy attend the Los Angeles premiere of his film Snatch at the Directors Guild of America. Madonna wins Best Single (“Music”), Best Video (“Music”) and Best-Dressed Artist in Rolling Stone magazine’s 25th annual Readers Poll.
  • (20) Madonna wins Best International Female Artist and Best International Album (Music) at the 2nd annual NRJ Music Awards at the Midem Music Conference, Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France.
  • Feb (3) “Don’t Tell Me” hits US #4 – it is her 34th Top 10 US single and surpasses The Beatles to become the second artist behind Elvis Presley with the most Top 10 hits on the US charts.
  • (7) Madonna is named Best International Female Artist at the 3rd annual NRJ Radio Awards in Heron City, Stockholm, Sweden.
  • (11) Madonna begins filming “What It Feels Like For A Girl” video in Los Angeles, CA, directed by Guy Ritchie.
  • (18) Madonna writes a letter to the Los Angeles Times newspaper in defense of controversial rap artist Eminem over the public and media criticism of his offensive song lyrics and Grammy Award nominations: “What is the big deal about Eminem? Since when is offensive language a reason for being unpopular? I find the language of George W. much more offensive. I find the hypocritical nature of most popular figures in our culture much more offensive. I like the fact that Eminem is brash and angry and politically incorrect. At least he has an opinion. He’s stirring things up, he’s provoking a discussion, he’s making people’s blood boil. He’s reflecting what’s going on in society right now. That is what art is supposed to do. And after all he’s just a boy. Thank God he’s rebellious and not well-groomed. He gets my vote. Yours truly, Mrs. Ritchie”.
  • (21) Madonna performs “Music” at the 43rd annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA.
  • (23) Madonna announces she is planning her first concert tour in 8 years and rehearsals are scheduled to begin in April 2001.
  • (25) “The First Los Angeles Madonna Convention” is held at The Palace Theatre, Los Angeles, CA.
  • (26) Madonna wins Best International Female Solo Artist at the 20th annual Brit Awards at Earl’s Court, London, England.
  • (27) “Music” video is certified gold (50,000 units). Madonna wins Best International Female Artist at the 41st annual Edison Music Awards at the Amsterdam Convention Factory in Amsterdam, Holland.
  • Mar (3) Madonna wins Best International Album (Music) and Best International Hit (“Music”) at the 12th annual Danish Music Awards at the Forum in Copenhagen, Denmark.
  • (5) Robert Podesta, 51, pleads guilty for having secretly filmed the baptism of Madonna and Guy’s son Rocco on Dec 21, 2000 in Dornoch, Scotland and the court orders the destruction of the videotape; Podesta is to appear in court on March 29.
  • (7) “Material Girl” (1985) is #161 on the list of “365 Songs Of The Century” by The Recording Industry Assocation Of America (RIAA) and the National Endowment For The Arts (NEA).
  • (9) In Hungary, Madonna wins Best International Pop Album Of The Year (Music) at the Golden Giraffe Awards.
  • (13) Music is named Best Selling Dance Recording Of The Year at NARM’s 43rd annual Best Seller Awards in Orlando, FL.
  • (14) Madonna holds open auditions for dancers for her world tour at Musical Theatre Works, New York, NY.
  • (16) MTV and VH1 networks announce that Madonna’s new video “What It Feels Like For A Girl” will be broadcast only once on March 20 at 11:30 pm amid controversy over its violent content.
  • (20) “What It Feels Like For A Girl” video world premieres on America Online (AOL), MTV, VH1 and MuchMusic at 11:30 pm EST.
  • (22) In Canada, MuchMusic network announces it will continue to broadcast “What It Feels Like For A Girl” video.
  • (24) Madonna wins a Razzie Award for Worst Actress in The Next Best Thing at the 21st annual Golden Raspberry Awards at the Radisson-Huntley Hotel’s Garden Room, Santa Monica, CA.
  • (25) Madonna is signed to star in a $1.4 million, 7-minute commercial for BMW car company to be directed by Guy Ritchie.
  • (28) Madonna begins filming BMW commercial “Star” in Los Angeles, CA, co-starring Clive Owen and directed by Guy Ritchie. “Don’t Tell Me” single is certified gold (500,000 units). Madonna wins Best Dance Artist – Solo, Best Dance Video (“Music”) and Best Pop 12-Inch Dance Record (“Music”) at the 16th annual International Dance Music Awards in Miami Beach, FL.
  • (29) Robert Podesta is fined $1,440 for having filmed the baptism of Madonna and Guy’s son.
  • Apr (5) Madonna begins tour rehearsals at Sony Pictures Studios, Culver City, CA. In Switzerland, Madonna is named the most successful singles artist of all time in Swiss music history: she has spent 497 weeks on the singles charts.
  • (11) Madonna wins Favorite International Solo Artist at the Capital FM Awards at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London, England.
  • (16) Madonna announces 18 official dates for “Drowned World Tour 2001″ which will begin on June 5 at the Cologne Arena, Cologne, Germany and will end Sept 9 at the Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA.
  • (22) Madonna and Guy Ritchie are #6 on The UK Sunday Times list of Britain’s richest people with a joint fortune of $260 million.
  • (24) “What It Feels Like For A Girl” DVD video single is released.
  • (26) In UK, Madonna breaks box-office records for the fastest-selling concerts at Earl’s Court, London, England: 16,000 tickets for July 4 concert are sold-out in only 15 minutes and 80,000 tickets for 5 extra dates (July 6,7,9,10,12) are sold-out in only six hours.
  • (27) Madonna sets more box-office records as tickets for 2 concerts in Germany and France are sold-out in only 30 minutes.
  • May (1) “What It Feels Like For A Girl” is released as a maxi-single in US.
  • (2) Madonna wins Best Music Web Event for Brixton Academy webcast at the 1st annual NetSounds Awards at the NetSounds Online Music Conference at the Hilton Hotel, London, England.
  • (3) America Online (AOL) announces it will sponsor “Drowned World Tour 2001″.
  • (4) Madonna cancels her first 2 concerts at the Cologne Arena, Cologne, Germany (June 5,6) due to technical problems and the tour will instead begin on June 9 at Palau Sant Jordi, Barcelona, Spain.
  • (7) VH1 – 100 Greatest Videos Of All Time includes “Like A Prayer” #2, “Justify My Love” #7, “Ray Of Light” #40, “Material Girl” #54, “Like A Virgin” #61 and “Borderline” #84.
  • (10) Madonna is #2 on The Lycos 50 list of the “Top 25 Most Popular Celebrity Moms Online” based on web user searches.
  • (12) “What It Feels Like For A Girl” DVD hits US #2 on Top Music Videos chart.
  • (14) Madonna sets more box-office records as 100,000 tickets for the US leg of her tour are sold-out within hours.
  • (15) “American Pie” is honored as one of the Most Performed Songs Of 2000 at the 49th annual BMI Pop Awards at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA.
  • (16) “Don’t Tell Me” wins Video Of The Year and Best Direction Of A Female Artist for its director Jean-Baptiste Mondino at the 10th annual Music Video Production Association (MVPA) Awards at the Directors Guild of America, Los Angeles, CA.
  • (17) Madonna is named one of Britain’s “Worst Dressed Celebrity” at Prima magazine’s Fashion Awards in London, England.
  • (19) “What It Feels Like For A Girl” hits US #23.
  • (21) VH1 – Top 100 Most Shocking Moments In Rock N Roll includes Madonna’s Sex book at #11 and “Like A Prayer” video at #87.
  • (22) Madonna, Like A Virgin and True Blue are re-released on CD with re-mastered sound and bonus dance mixes.
  • (24) HBO-TV announces it will broadcast Madonna’s concert live from The Palace Of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, MI on Aug 26.
  • (27) Madonna continues rehearsals for “Drowned World Tour 2001″ at the Great Western Forum, Inglewood, CA.
  • (29) Lucrezia’s remake of “Live To Tell” (1986) is released as a maxi-single.
  • (30) Madonna sets box-office records as 3 concerts at Madison Square Garden, New York, NY sell-out in less than 35 minutes.
  • (31) A trailer for Madonna’s BMW commercial “Star” is available to download on the internet at www.bmwfilms.com.
  • Jun (4) Madonna arrives in Barcelona, Spain with family and tour crew for “Drowned World Tour 2001″.
  • (5) Shadows And Fog (1992) is released on DVD.
  • (7) “Star” commercial premieres on the internet at www.bmwfilms.com. “Music” is honored as Top Dance Song at the 14th annual ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Atlanta, GA.
  • (9,10) “Drowned World Tour 2001″ opens with 2 sold-out concerts at Palau Sant Jordi, Barcelona, Spain.
  • (13,14,15) Madonna performs at the Fila Forum, Milan, Italy.
  • (18) In Germany, a 26-year-old man named Aaron wins “In Bed For Madonna” contest sponsored by German online tabloid Thema1 for a ticket to Madonna’s concert in Berlin on June 22 in exchange for sex with the website’s columnist.
  • (19,20,22,23) Madonna performs 4 sold-out concerts at Max-Schmeling-Halle, Berlin, Germany.
  • (24) In Berlin, Madonna makes a silent visit to ex-Nazi concentration camp Sachsenhausen with actress Gwyneth Paltrow.
  • (26,27,29,30) Madonna performs at Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, Paris, France.
  • Jul (1) “The Virgin Tour 1985″ is voted #4 in Spin magazine’s list of “Top 10 Tours That Changed The World”.
  • (4,6,7,9,10,12) Madonna performs 6 sold-out concerts at Earl’s Court, London, England.
  • (21,22) Madonna opens the 12-city North American leg of “Drowned World Tour 2001″ at First Union Center, Philadelphia, PA.
  • (25,26,28,30,31) Madonna performs 5 sold-out concerts at Madison Square Garden, New York, NY.
  • Aug (1) Madonna: An Intimate Biography, by J. Randy Taraborrelli, is released. MTV – 20th Anniversary: Top 100 Best Videos Poll includes “Ray Of Light” #4, “Frozen” #50, “Justify My Love” #76 and “Like A Prayer” #88.
  • (2) Madonna performs at Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ.
  • (3) Madonna cancels a second scheduled concert at Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ, due to laryngitis.
  • (7,8) Madonna performs at the Fleet Center, Boston, MA.
  • (10,11) Madonna performs 2 sold-out concerts at MCI Center, Washington, DC.
  • (11) Rocco Ritchie celebrates his 1st birthday.
  • (14) Madonna performs at the National Car Rental Center, Sunrise, FL. Madonna is #2 in Billboard magazine’s “Top Ten Concert Grosses” for 2 concerts at the Fleet Center, Boston, MA with sold-out crowds of 29,886 and gross sales of $3,503,520.
  • (15) During a second sold-out concert at the National Car Rental Center, Sunrise, FL, Madonna is surprised by husband Guy Ritchie when he appears onstage to present her a chocolate cake for her 43rd birthday.
  • (19,20) Madonna performs at Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA.
  • (21) Madonna is #1 in Billboard magazine’s “Top Ten Concert Grosses” for 5 concerts at Madison Square Garden, New York, NY with sold-out crowds of 79,401 and gross sales of $9,297,105.
  • (25) Madonna performs at The Palace Of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, MI and is profiled on CNN-TV’s People In The News.
  • (26) Madonna Live! Drowned World Tour 2001 is broadcast live on HBO-TV from The Palace Of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, MI and seen by 5.7 million viewers – it is the network’s third highest rated prime-time concert special since 1997.
  • (28,29) Madonna performs at the United Center, Chicago, IL.
  • Sep (1,2) Madonna performs 2 sold-out concerts at the MGM Grand Garden, Las Vegas, NV.
  • (5,6) Madonna performs at Oakland Arena, Oakland, CA.
  • (9) Madonna performs a sold-out concert at the Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA.
  • (11) Madonna postpones a scheduled concert at the Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA due to terrorist airplane attacks on the World Trade Center, New York, NY and the Pentagon, Washington, DC. (The concert is re-scheduled for Sept 15).
  • (13) Madonna donates proceeds from her concert at the Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA to victims of terrorist attacks.
  • (14) During a third sold-out concert at the Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA, Madonna leads a prayer for peace and urges President George W. Bush to show restraint in retaliating for terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
  • (15) “Drowned World Tour 2001″ ends at the Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA.
  • (18) “Impressive Instant” is released only to club DJs in US. Madonna is #1 in Billboard magazine’s “Top Ten Concert Grosses” for 4 concerts at the Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA with sold-out crowds of 61,464 and gross sales of $8,303,165.
  • (27) Madonna wins Best Online Live Music Event for Brixton Academy webcast at the 1st annual UK Online Music Awards at the Ocean Music Venue, London, England.
  • (28) In Malta, Madonna begins filming Love, Sex, Drugs And Money (a remake of 1975 Italian film Swept Away), co-starring Adriano Giannini, Bruce Greenwood and Jeanne Tripplehorn, directed by Guy Ritchie.
  • Oct (5) Warner Bros Records announces that Madonna will release GHV2, a new greatest hits album of 15 songs from 1991-2001 and will also release “Drowned World Tour 2001″ concert video and DVD on Nov 13.
  • (10) Microsoft announces it has licensed “Ray Of Light” for $15 million as the official theme song in their advertising campaign for the new operating system Microsoft Windows XP.
  • (11) The Immaculate Collection is certified 10x platinum (10 million units) – the best-selling greatest hits album by a female artist.
  • (15) Microsoft Windows XP commercial with “Ray Of Light” premieres on TV.
  • (20) Madonna arrives in Sardinia, Italy to continue film production on Love, Sex, Drugs And Money.
  • (21) Evolution: Madonna TV special premieres on VH1.
  • (30) Madonna launches Maverick Musica, a new Latin record label by Maverick Records.
  • Nov (2) “GHV2 Megamix” video world premieres on MTV.
  • (4) Madonna is named Britain’s highest-earning woman with an annual income of 30 million pounds ($43.8 million).
  • (5) “GHV2 Megamix” video premieres on VH1.
  • (6) The books Madonna by Andrew Morton and Goddess: Inside Madonna by Barbara Victor are released.
  • (12) Madonna is honored by the Recording Industry Association Of America (RIAA) with a Diamond Award for sales of more than 10 million units of The Immaculate Collection.
  • (13) GHV2: Greatest Hits Volume 2 CD is released. “Drowned World Tour 2001″ is released on home video and DVD.
  • (15) Madonna completes filming Love, Sex, Drugs And Money in Sardinia, Italy.
  • (17) “Impressive Instant” hits #1 on US Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. A real estate group from Ohio purchases Madonna’s childhood home in Rochester Hills, MI for $331,000 in a 12-minute property auction.
  • (20) “GHV2 Megamix” single is released only to club DJs in US to promote GHV2: Greatest Hits Volume 2 CD.
  • (24) “GHV2 Megamix” video hits #11 on VH1.
  • (28) Madonna is #3, #4, #5 and #8 on Top 10 Grossing Concert Events Of 2001 by Amusement Business.
  • Dec (1) GHV2: Greatest Hits Volume 2 hits US #7 and “Drowned World Tour 2001″ hits US #1 on Top Music Videos chart. Madonna wins Outstanding Creative Achievement, Record Production/Single for “Music” at the 17th annual Technical Excellence & Creativity (TEC) Awards at the Marriott Marquis, New York, NY.
  • (3) Madonna is voted the #2 Greatest Female Rock And Pop Artist Of All Time by readers of Q magazine.
  • (9) Madonna presents the Turner Prize of $28,600 to artist Martin Creed for his controversial work “The Lights Going On And Off” at a ceremony at the Tate Britain Gallery in London, England. During the live telecast, Madonna causes a controversy when she says: “At a time when political correctness is valued over honesty, I would like to say, right on motherfuckers, everyone is a winner!” Her strong language prompts Channel 4 TV network to issue an immediate apology to its viewers.
  • (11) GHV2 (Limited Edition) CD is released in US.
  • (12) Madonna participates in a live webchat on MSN. GHV2: Greatest Hits Volume 2 is certified 1x platinum (1 million units).
  • (18) Madonna and Guy attend the premiere of film Mean Machine at the Odeon in London, England.
  • (18,19) Madonna is featured in a 2-part interview on NBC-TV’s Today.
  • (20) Madonna is named the Most Influential Person In The World by Euro RSCO Worldwide, an advertising agency network.
  • (21) Madonna is #4 on Top 10 List Of Biggest Concert Grossers Of 2001 with $74 million (47 dates).
  • (22) Madonna is honored with her own plaid tartan by the Scottish Highland Tourist Board in recognition of her contribution to Scottish tourism and as a first wedding anniversary present.
  • (27) In UK, Madonna is #5 on Top 10 Pop Idols Of All Time poll conducted by Vizzavi. Madonna is #6 on the list of Top 40 North American Concert Tours Of 2001 by Pollstar ($54.7 million US for 28 concerts).
  • (28) “Don’t Tell Me” is #6 in USA Today newspaper’s list of the “Best Singles Of 2001″.
  • (29) Madonna wins Top Hot Dance Club Play Artist in Billboard magazine’s The Year In Music annual survey.
  • (31) Madonna is named one of the “25 Most Intriguing People Of 2001″ by People magazine.

Check out the rest of Madonna’s Career Diaries: