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Last year, when Madonna turned 50, there was a great furore about her age and her divorce from Guy Ritchie. The British tabloids foamed at the mouth as they quoted various sources concerning the increasingly bitter war between Ms Ciccone and her British husband. Perhaps Madonna's vast wealth will be of some comfort to her as she faces a life alone, or maybe she will be helped by the African child which she managed to 'rescue' a while ago. Madonna is a tough lady. She was smart enough to know, way back in the 1980s, how to get to the top, and built an empire and a fortune by using her brains, talent her sex appeal. A pastmaster at media manipulation, her videos (like the one for Like A Prayer) caused tremendous controversy, boosting her international profile. She has become one of the most famous women on the planet. On one of the songs on 'American Life', Madonna lists her personal staff who help to make her life run smoothly : "I got a lawyer and a manager, and agent and a chef. Three nannies, an assistant and a driver and a jet. A trainer and a butler and a bodyguard or five, a gardener and a stylit. Do you think I'm satisfied ?" Maybe Madonna would feel a greater sense of personal satisfaction if she used her fame, power and wealth for some more noble cause. But she's never really done this. Whilst some hold her up as a figurehead for women's rights, she has arguably done nothing to change the perspective that women are worth little without beauty and glamour. Her book, Sex, was full of pictures which only boosted the suggestion that women are sex objects. Although Madonna has given to charities (and should be applauded for doing so), one can't help wondering how much more she could have done. Bono, U2's frontman, is often written off as irritating due to his constant badgering on behalf of good causes, but he has used his position and fame in a positive way. Madonna could have done the same, but hasn't. Perhaps as she grows older, she will want to be less self-centred and look at worthy causes with more intent. |
 Miles Salter, Freelance Writer /
Reflectable Ltd
2010
Miles Salter is a freelance journalist, poet and creative writing tutor. He lives in York, UK.
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