FILE PHOTO: Madonna performs "Nothing Compares 2 U" during her tribute to Prince at the 2016 Billboard Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., May 22, 2016. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File Photo

Home » Madonna Celebrates 60th Birthday With Major Fundraiser for Malawi

Madonna Celebrates 60th Birthday With Major Fundraiser for Malawi

The Queen of Pop celebrated her 60th birthday on Thursday 16 August by proving she’s no longer a ‘Material Girl’. Instead of asking for gifts, Madonna asked friends and fans to rather donate to her Facebook fundraiser which is benefiting her Raising Malawi foundation. The non-profit Foundation aims to benefit vulnerable children in the southern African […]

By Jenni Baxter
16-08-18 23:43
in Africa
FILE PHOTO: Madonna performs "Nothing Compares 2 U" during her tribute to Prince at the 2016 Billboard Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., May 22, 2016. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File Photo

The Queen of Pop celebrated her 60th birthday on Thursday 16 August by proving she’s no longer a ‘Material Girl’. Instead of asking for gifts, Madonna asked friends and fans to rather donate to her Facebook fundraiser which is benefiting her Raising Malawi foundation.

FILE PHOTO: Madonna performs “Nothing Compares 2 U” during her tribute to Prince at the 2016 Billboard Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., May 22, 2016. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File Photo

The non-profit Foundation aims to benefit vulnerable children in the southern African nation.

“I have an unwavering commitment to providing vulnerable children with a loving home. For my birthday, I can think of no better gift than connecting my global family with this beautiful country and the children who need our help most,” Madonna said in a statement last month.

Madonna, who has adopted four children from Malawi – including twin girls last year, promised: “Every dollar raised will go directly to meals, schools, uniforms and health care. I want to come together with my friends, fans and supporters to change the lives of Malawian children and let them know they are nurtured, protected and loved.”

Madonna carries her adopted son David at the Home of Hope orphanage in Mchinji village,135 km (84 miles) west of the capital Lilongwe April 17,2007. Malawi police and stone-throwing school students blocked journalists from covering pop star Madonna’s visit to an orphanage on Tuesday where the boy she is adopting was due to meet his biological father. At right is Madonna’s daughter Lourdes. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko (MALAWI)

Like many people celebrating their birthdays, Madonna – who has six children – teamed up with Facebook for the fundraiser.

It was launched on 30 July and will run until 31 August. The fundraising target was $60,000… but at the time of publishing this article, it had far surpassed that goal and was already at over $220,000!

Facebook said: “100% of every contribution goes directly to Raising Malawi’s work at Home of Hope orphanage, located in a rural, high-need area of Malawi. Also, the international payment firm Ripple has announced it will be matching all donations to Madonna’s fundraiser.”

Madonna’s fans, young and old, took to social media today – using the hashtag #MadonnaAt60 – to send her birthday wishes.

Australian singer Kylie Minogue tweeted: “Happy birthday to Lady @Madonna!!! I’m 14 years old, dancing and singing in my bedroom and she was just WOW!!! What a force and an inspiration. Enjoy your day Madonna!!!”

Madonna today shared pictures of herself draped in colourful jewellery whilst in another African country – Morocco. She said: “I have survived! Life is beautiful!”

In one birthday photo on Twitter, the singer/songwriter, actress, director and mom held up a sign reading “The Queen”. Her caption was: “In case someone forgot!”

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth meets pop star Madonna (L) watched by producer Michael Wilson at the World premiere of the latest Bond movie “Die another Day” at London’s Royal Albert Hall November 18, 2002. REUTERS/Dan Chung DC/JMS

Since Madonna’s first, eponymous album came out in 1983, Madonna has sold more than 300 million records, with albums such as “True Blue”, “Like a Prayer” and “Ray of Light” topping music charts around the world.

“She pioneered the art of reinvention, changing your image with every song, with every video, which we’ve come to expect of pop stars now but at the time was radical,” author Matt Cain, who wrote a novel inspired by the singer, told Reuters.

Britney Spears (L) gets a kiss on the mouth from Madonna as they open the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards show, at Radio City Music Hall in New York, August 28, 2003. PP03080097 REUTERS/Win Mcnamee BS/GN
FILE PHOTO: U.S. singer Madonna attends the world premiere of ‘The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years’ in London, Britain September 15, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Madonna arrives at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala (Met Gala) to celebrate the opening of “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” in the Manhattan borough of New York, U.S., May 7, 2018. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo

“And she made some great music, she always has done, which really made an emotional impact on people.”

Madonna took to Twitter late on Thursday to thank everyone for supporting her fundraiser – “Best birthday present ever!!” she wrote.