Friday, August 15, 2008 - MADONNA is the new 50!

Let's talk about our new 50...

Madonna.

Yes, the mother of re-invention, the material girl, the kabbalah leader and the Vatican scandalizer can add one more title to her long line of image-changing: the new poster-child for the 50-and-fabulous set.

Fans have always admired Madonna, especially for her shrewd ability to adapt her image. After all, she's done a remarkable job of marketing herself, and she's always been able to keep us entertained by staying fresh, edgy and unexpected.

Of course, some could rightly point out that it's easier to stay fit when you can afford private trainers and servants. Or possibly a little nip and tuck? Madonna's face appears on the current cover of New York magazine as an example of the latest hot looks in plastic surgery, though she hasn't said whether she's gone under the knife or needle.

More power to her, says Lesley Jane Seymour, editor of More, a magazine for women over 40.

"So she's had some work — I'll take it," says Seymour. "I want to know who her doctor is! It's really hard to believe she's 50. She looks 40. And she just keeps going at it, living life and loving life."

To Seymour, Madonna's not only an example to women on how to grow older — she's a reflection of how, as a society, our perceptions of age have changed. Especially 50, which used to be seen as the beginning of a depressing decline, not a new chapter.

Madonna or not, 50 marks a new beginning for women all over the world these days.  U.S. woman has another 30 years to live past the half-century mark. Many have accomplished a number of their goals already. Their children are out of the nest. So, for the first time they can really think about themselves, and focus on what they really want out of their lives.

So what does the queen of pop think about turning 50? Well, not much. According to her publicist Liz Rosenberg, "Being 50 is not quite the benchmark for Madonna as it seems to be in the media."  

I can understand her... after all, her upcoming world tour ("Sticky & Sweet") kicks off in a week in England.  So, I'm sure she has other things to worry about then to just run around town with a birthday cake in her hand.  Either way, Happy B-day Madge!

(P.S.: Other stars reaching 50 in 2008: Michael Jackson and Prince are two of the most discussed. But there's also Ellen DeGeneres, Sharon Stone, Christiane Amanpour. Alec Baldwin, Viggo Mortensen. Andie MacDowell, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michelle Pfeiffer and  the original "Sex and the City" columnist Candace Bushnell.)