---
title: "Madonna - IVU - International Vegetarian Union"
description: "Madonna: Louise Ciccone Ritchie (born August 16, 1958), known artistically as Madonna , is an American pop singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Raised in Detroit, Michigan, Madonna moved to New York City for a career in ballet."
url: "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews/4899-people-music-madonna.html"
date: "2026-11-06T00:21:50+00:00"
language: "en-GB"
---

#  Madonna

| **![](https://ivu.org/images/legacy/history/people/music/Madonna.jpg)Madonna Louise Ciccone Ritchie** (born August 16, 1958), known artistically as **Madonna**, is an American pop singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Raised in Detroit, Michigan, Madonna moved to New York City for a career in ballet. After performing as member of the pop musical groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her self-titled debut album in 1983. She rose to success after producing three consecutive number-one studio albums on the *Billboard* 200 in the 1980s.  At some point in the past she is reported to have said on the Rosie 'O Donnell Show that she was vegetarian. One website claims she was vegetarian from the age of 15, but that seems rather unlikely.  Madonna is the reported to have stated in *Vanity Fair* she was no longer a vegetarian since being pregnant to Lourdes, which was in 1996.  We are also informed that after marrying the fisherman, hunter and shooter Guy Ritchie - they met in 1999 - she had taken up hunting.  Accrding to Andrew Morton's 1991 book '*Madonna*' :  > "She's reinventing herself as an upper-class, English aristocrat, the former vegetarian who now goes hunting, fishing and shooting."  from an undated interview on msn.com  > **Madonna says:** "I'm not a vegetarian. Someone has to shoot the chickens you eat. *\[ !! she might benefit from a visit to a slaughterhouse\]* . . . I think when you shoot a bird and are involved with the whole process, you have more respect for it. . . . At least I'm taking responsibility for it."  Oprah Winfrey show 2003, Madonna apparently mentioned eating lamb on this show. We are not informed whether she hunted and killed that herself.  A press report in November 2005:  > "Pop queen MADONNA has vowed to quit shooting pheasants on her English country estate, after maiming a bird left her filled with self-hatred." In another report at that time she said: "I am not a vegetarian and I understand that animals die for my meals. I respect that. But I just couldn't do it anymore. I haven't shot since."  *from independent.co.uk December 2006:*  > Madonna has outraged animal rights groups by wearing a fur coat made from the skins of 40 chinchillas.  On her 2008 trip to India press reports say that she was back to vegetarian plus fish. Other recent reports claim she is now macrobiotic (veg+fish again) - but maybe that's just this week's diet.  She seems a little confused.  **To buy Books, CDs or Videos by these celebrities, with commission to vegetarianism, go to:**  | [![Famous Vegetarians](https://ivu.org/images/legacy/history/people/pics/carrot.gif)Back to the Famous Vegetarians Index](https://ivu.org/history-of-ivu/hv-general-people-index.html) | A note on this archive. The history section of this website is drawn from a body of legacy content originally compiled by John Davis, former manager of the International Vegetarian Union. It represents his curation of historical material, and in places includes passages written by him directly.  Over the years, the IVU website has migrated between several different hosting servers. In the course of these migrations, a number of PDF files were unfortunately lost, and **some links to PDF documents may no longer function**. Where this is the case, we have chosen to leave the original link text in place, as it may itself carry information of historical value.  - Hits: 716    ###  Vegan Recipes   - ####  [Ethiopian Green Pepper Relish](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/ethiopian-green-pepper-relish.html "Ethiopian Green Pepper Relish")            [Ethiopia](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/ethiopian.html) [Sauces](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/sauces.html) [Starters & side dishes](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/snack-side-dishes.html) [African](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/african.html) - [![Atar Allecha (Ethiopian Split Pea Puree)](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/atar-allecha--ethiopian-split-pea-puree--1775251456_49673ff024e19f9a092e4be07a98b772.jpg "Atar Allecha (Ethiopian Split Pea Puree)")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/atar-allecha-ethiopian-split-pea-puree.html "Atar Allecha (Ethiopian Split Pea Puree)")           ####  [Atar Allecha (Ethiopian Split Pea Puree)](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/atar-allecha-ethiopian-split-pea-puree.html "Atar Allecha (Ethiopian Split Pea Puree)")            [Main course](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/main-course-for-lunch-and-dinner.html) [Ethiopia](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/ethiopian.html) [African](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/african.html) - [![Soffrito](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/soffrito-1792869773_55bfd7525c18eabd42eb5cd0b8e55d2a.jpg "Soffrito")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/soffrito.html "Soffrito")           ####  [Soffrito](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/soffrito.html "Soffrito")            [Sauces](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/sauces.html) [Starters & side dishes](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/snack-side-dishes.html) [Central America](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/central-america.html) [South America](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/south-america.html)       ###  VFA Blog   - [![Celebrating Christmas with Delicious and Compassionate Vegan Dishes](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/vegan-xmas2_863fab90b5d0942879a8ab9632f1a65c.jpg "Celebrating Christmas with Delicious and Compassionate Vegan Dishes")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/celebrating-christmas-with-delicious-and-compassionate-vegan-dishes.html "Celebrating Christmas with Delicious and Compassionate Vegan Dishes")           ####  [Celebrating Christmas with Delicious and Compassionate Vegan Dishes](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/celebrating-christmas-with-delicious-and-compassionate-vegan-dishes.html "Celebrating Christmas with Delicious and Compassionate Vegan Dishes")                - [Read more](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/celebrating-christmas-with-delicious-and-compassionate-vegan-dishes.html)       ###  Science   - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/207-rapid-global-phaseout-of-animal-agriculture-has-the-potential-to-stabilize-greenhouse-gas-levels-for-30-years.html)     [ Rapid global phaseout of animal agriculture has the potential to stabilize greenhouse gas levels for 30 years](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/207-rapid-global-phaseout-of-animal-agriculture-has-the-potential-to-stabilize-greenhouse-gas-levels-for-30-years.html) Popular - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/206-animal-agriculture-and-climate-change-a-qualitative-holistic-note.html)     [ Animal Agriculture and Climate change a Qualitative holistic note](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/206-animal-agriculture-and-climate-change-a-qualitative-holistic-note.html) Popular - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/202-environmental-impact-of-two-plant-based-isocaloric-and-isoproteic-diets-the-vegan-diet-vs-the-mediterranean-diet.html)     [ Environmental Impact of Two Plant Based Isocaloric and Isoproteic Diets The Vegan Diet vs the Mediterranean Diet](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/202-environmental-impact-of-two-plant-based-isocaloric-and-isoproteic-diets-the-vegan-diet-vs-the-mediterranean-diet.html) Popular            ###  History     [ ![Taiwan's climate legislation embraces plant based eating](https://ivu.org/joomlatools-files/docman-images/generated/0f49c89d1e7298bb9930789c8ed59d48.jpg)    Taiwan's climate legislation embraces plant based eating                ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/history/vegan-nutrition-history/283-taiwans-climate-legislation-embraces-plant-based-eating.html "Taiwan's climate legislation embraces plant based eating")       [ ![Chinese Dietary Guidelines 2022   Guideline 4 Eat fish poultry eggs, and lean meat in moderation](https://ivu.org/joomlatools-files/docman-images/generated/6a9aeddfc689c1d0e3b9ccc3ab651bc5.jpg)    Chinese Dietary Guidelines 2022 Guideline 4 Eat fish poultry eggs, and lean meat in moderation                ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/history/vegan-nutrition-history/282-chinese-dietary-guidelines-2022-guideline-4-eat-fish-poultry-eggs-and-lean-meat-in-moderation.html "Chinese Dietary Guidelines 2022   Guideline 4 Eat fish poultry eggs, and lean meat in moderation")       [ ![Reply to Proposal No 4748 (Agriculture and Water Conservancy Category No  297) of the Third Session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People´s Political Consultative Conference](https://ivu.org/joomlatools-files/docman-images/generated/e3796ae838835da0b6f6ea37bcf8bcb7.jpg)    Reply to Proposal No 4748 (Agriculture and Water Conservancy Category No 297) of the Third Session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People´s Political Consultative Conference                ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/history/vegan-nutrition-history/281-reply-to-proposal-no-4748-agriculture-and-water-conservancy-category-no-297-of-the-third-session-of-the-13th-national-committee-of-the-chinese-peoples-political-consultative-conference.html "Reply to Proposal No 4748 (Agriculture and Water Conservancy Category No  297) of the Third Session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People´s Political Consultative Conference")                                ###  Download the Vegetarian Nutrition Booklet for Kids and Adolescents   - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/117-vegetarian-nutrition-booklet-for-kids-and-adolescents.html)     [ vegetarian-nutrition-booklet-for-kids-and-adolescents](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/117-vegetarian-nutrition-booklet-for-kids-and-adolescents.html) Popular               7676 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/122-booklet-ivu-portugues-web.html)     [ Booklet IVU portugues web](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/122-booklet-ivu-portugues-web.html) Popular               7320 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/123-nutrition-guide-for-students-with-khmer-translation.html)     [ Nutrition Guide for Students (with Khmer Translation)](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/123-nutrition-guide-for-students-with-khmer-translation.html) Popular               6052 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/130-2023-05-03-18-17-13.html)     [ ベジタリアン・ヴィーガン栄養ガイド](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/130-2023-05-03-18-17-13.html) Popular               5524 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/124-vegetarian-nutritie-cartea-pentru-copii-si-adolescenti.html)     [ BROȘURA DE NUTRIȚIE VEGETARIANĂ - Romanian](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/124-vegetarian-nutritie-cartea-pentru-copii-si-adolescenti.html) Popular               5040 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/131-cartel-de-nutricion-vegetariana.html)     [ CARTEL DE NUTRICIÓN VEGETARIANA](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/131-cartel-de-nutricion-vegetariana.html) Popular               4558 downloads            ###  Nutrition   - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/294-what-are-the-best-sources-of-protein-introducing-the-bpi-score.html)     [ What are the best sources of protein Introducing the BPI Score](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/294-what-are-the-best-sources-of-protein-introducing-the-bpi-score.html) Popular               603 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/250-2024-the-omniveg-study-health-outcomes-of-shifting-from-a-traditional-to-a-vegan-mediterranean-diet-in-healthy-men-a-controlled-crossover-trial.html)     [ 2024 The OMNIVEG STUDY Health outcomes of shifting from a traditional to a vegan Mediterranean diet in healthy men A controlled crossover trial](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/250-2024-the-omniveg-study-health-outcomes-of-shifting-from-a-traditional-to-a-vegan-mediterranean-diet-in-healthy-men-a-controlled-crossover-trial.html) Popular               2782 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/205-plant-based-nutrition-exploring-health-benefits-for-atherosclerosis-chronic-diseases-and-metabolic-syndrome-a-comprehensive-review.html)     [ Plant Based Nutrition Exploring Health Benefits for Atherosclerosis, Chronic Diseases, and Metabolic Syndrome—A Comprehensive Review](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/205-plant-based-nutrition-exploring-health-benefits-for-atherosclerosis-chronic-diseases-and-metabolic-syndrome-a-comprehensive-review.html) Popular               3834 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/204-2024-plant-and-animal-fat-intake-and-overall-and-cardiovascular-disease-mortality-main-folder-all-cause-mortality.html)     [ 2024 Plant and Animal Fat Intake and Overall and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Main Folder All Cause Mortality](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/204-2024-plant-and-animal-fat-intake-and-overall-and-cardiovascular-disease-mortality-main-folder-all-cause-mortality.html) Popular               4052 downloads                                ![](https://ivu.org/media/yootheme/cache/02/adult-guide-029d8cad.png)### The International Vegetarian Union’s Vegan Nutrition Guide for Adults  In 2 versions:  - [For healthcare professionals](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutritional-guide/the-international-vegetarian-union-s-vegan-nutrition-guide-for-adults-healthcare-professionals.html) - [General Public Edition](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutritional-guide/guide-for-non-healthcare-professionals.html)    [Get it now](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutritional-guide.html)         ![](https://ivu.org/images/banners/booklet2.jpg)### Vegetarian Nutrition Booklet A Dietary Approach to Vegetarianism for Kids and Adolescents  The intention of this booklet is present to kids and adolescents a healthy vegan diet    [Read more](https://ivu.org/nutrition/vegetarian-nutrition-book-for-kids-and-adolescents.html)                 Vegan Nutrition            ![](https://ivu.org/media/yootheme/cache/a6/logo_IVU_01_SLOGAN-a678b962.png)               ### Presidents, Chair and Council  - [IVU President and Chair of the International Council](https://ivu.org/ivu-chair.html) - [IVU Honorary President](https://ivu.org/ivu-honorary-president.html) - 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