"True Blue," the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Madonna, made its debut on June 30, 1986, under Sire Records. During early 1985, Madonna's romantic involvement with actor Sean Penn blossomed, culminating in their marriage six months later on her 27th birthday. Meanwhile, she crossed paths with producer Patrick Leonard during her Virgin Tour, sparking a fruitful collaboration. Their initial creations, including "Love Makes the World Go Round" and the poignant ballad "Live to Tell," found a place in At Close Range, a film starring Penn.
As 1985 drew to a close, Madonna and Leonard delved into crafting her third studio album. Enlisting the talents of former boyfriend Stephen Bray, with whom she had collaborated on her previous record "Like a Virgin" (1984), Madonna took on co-writing and co-producing roles for the first time in her career. "True Blue" emerged as a testament to Madonna's devotion to Penn, reflected in its dance-pop sound infused with Motown influences, girl group vibes, and Latin pop elements.
 
Critics greeted the album with acclaim, praising Madonna's vocal prowess and artistic evolution. It swiftly became a global phenomenon, ascending to number one in a groundbreaking 28 countries. With over 25 million copies sold worldwide, "True Blue" stands as the best-selling album of 1986, the most successful of the 1980s by a female artist, and one of the best-selling albums of all time. The album's five singles, including three chart-toppers, all soared into the top five of the Billboard Hot 100.
 
Supported by Madonna's second concert tour, the 1987 Who's That Girl World Tour, which spanned Asia, North America, and Europe, "True Blue" solidified Madonna's status as the preeminent female artist of the 1980s, rivaling male luminaries like Michael Jackson and Prince. It is credited as the album that catapulted Madonna into icon status and established her as a groundbreaking artist of her era.