Andrew H. Walker/REX/ShutterstockAll hail the Queen of Pop!
Madonna has just been named the recipient of Billboard's 2016 Woman of the Year award. Billboard announced Friday that the singer-actress-activist will receive this honor at the 11th annual Women in Music Event, held Dec. 9 in New York City.
"Madonna is one of a miniscule number of super-artists whose influence and career transcend music," Janice Min, president and chief creative officer of The Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Media Group, said in a statement. "With her creative vision, relentless innovation, and dedication to philanthropic causes, she is an inspiration to hundreds of millions of people around the world, all while shattering every career record out there. She is an important feminist on top of that, a one-of-a-kind artist who's used her influence to change the conversation around women, sexuality and equal rights."
According to Billboard, Madonna extended her record as the highest-grossest female touring artist of all time with her Rebel Heart Tour, which wrapped in March. She remains the best-selling female recording artist of all time and continues to pour herself into her philanthropic efforts. Per Billboard, Madonna's Raising Malawi organization is currently constructing Ma,awe's first pediatric surgery and intensive care unit, set to open in 2017.
Previous winners of Billboard's Woman of the Year award include Reba McEntire (2007), Ciara (2008), Beyoncé (2009), Fergie (2010), Taylor Swift (2011), Katy Perry (2012), Pink (2013), Taylor Swift again (2014) and Lady Gaga (2015).
The 11th annual Women in Music Event coincides with Billboard's Women in Music list, which identifies the 50 most powerful women in the industry.