Pop superstar Madonna, who celebrates her 48th birthday on August 18, has claimed her enduring beauty is down to her Italian roots.
When asked by Vanity Fair how come she still looks so great, Madonna replied: "I take care of myself, I don't abuse my energy and fortunately, I have good Italian genes". The family of the American singer's father, Silvio "Tony" P. Ciccone, come from the central Italian region of Abruzzo.
Madonna gave the interview to the Italian edition of the magazine ahead of next Sunday's massive concert at the Olympic Stadium in Rome.
The gig is the only one on the Confessions Tour that she will play in Italy.
She also told Vanity Fair that the horse-riding accident she had last year, in which she broke her hand, collarbone and fractured three ribs, has given her a new outlook on life.
"While I was lying in bed (convalescing after the fall), I promised God that I wouldn't get depressed for no reason any more, I wouldn't be ungrateful or moan. "I've tried to keep the promise, although I did before the accident too.
"But what has changed is that I have a new sense of awareness and gratitude for the possibilities I have to do what I do and for this energy I have".
As well as being proud of her Italian roots, Madonna is also a fan of the country's fashion.
Dolce & Gabbana have been working with the singer for 14 years and they designed several of the costumes she wears during the Confessions set. Stefano Gabbana told another Italian magazine, Grazia, that making clothes for the star can be a stressful
experience.
"She made us crazy with the costumes she and the dancers wore for the song Holiday while on tour in 1992," he said.
"First she wanted blue outfits, then she wanted them to be red. After she wanted them shortened and then lengthened again.
"In the end she drove me to despair and I told her to 'go to hell'. I said it in Italian, but she understood perfectly".
Another favourite designer, Donatella Versace, painted a different picture of Madonna, describing how the star helped her get over her brother Gianni's death.
"She was the first person to phone me and when I arrived in Miami (where Gianni Versace was murdered), she was there waiting for me".
Grazia also reported on some of Madonna's demands for her hotel room during her stay in Rome.
One of these is that a brand new lavatory be installed in her bathroom.
