Like A Boss: How Madonna Became The Biggest Pop Brand On The Planet

Three decades after exploding on the scene, Madge's star continues to shine bright—and being lucky is only part of the reason why.

She went from wide-eyed new New Yorker with only $35 in her pocket to the biggest pop star on the planet. Along the way, she pissed off everyone from Sean Penn to the Pope. There is and always will be only one Madonna. Here's how she got into her career groove—and why she's staying there forever.