Madonna Louise Ciccone was born on August 16, 1958, in Michigan, to Sylvio [a.k.a. Tony] Ciccone and Madonna Fortin. Madonna, the eldest Ciccone daughter, was named after her mother. Madonna then added "Veronica" as her confirmation name. Madonna is often referred to as "Nonnie" in order to distinguish her from her mother. Madonna's father, Italian Sylvio Ciccone, was an engineer at Chrysler. He was strict while nurturing his children and insisted they learn how to play a musical instrument and receive strict Catholic instruction. However, Madonna was allowed to take ballet lessons, as she was more interested in dancing. Madonna attended several Catholic schools including Saint Andrews, Saint Fredericks, and Academie Du Sacre Coeur. Furthermore, she attended church daily.
Madonna's mother, Madonna Fortin, of French-Canadian decent, died from breast cancer in 1963. Being close to her mother, Madonna shared. "One of the hardest thing I've faced in my life was the death of my mother and that's something I really haven't got over to this day." She also said, "She tried to keep her fear deep down inside and not let us know. She never complained."
Madonna learned to be tough and independent early in life. Her father employed several housekeepers after her mother's death until he married housekeeper Joan Gustafson. Madonna never learned to really love her stepmother and was in a constant struggle with Joan for her father's attention. The death of her mother and the mixed, love/hate relationship with her father, were determined to be strong drives behind Madonna's career.
Madonna's often sought attention by her eccentric dress and joining cheerleading at school. Eventually, her family moved to Rochester in N.Y. She graduated from Rochester Adams High School in 1976 and decided to attend an audition for a scholarship. She won the scholarship and chose to study dance at the University of Michigan. Although use to a "dancer's discipline" since she had formally studied dance at the Rochester School of Ballet, she left the University of Michigan after three semesters and moved to New York City.
