NEW YORK DAILY NEWS TOP 10 POP CULTURE ICONS OF THE PAST 50 YEARS

10. Paul Newman
9. Princess Diana
8. The Beatles
7. Oprah Winfrey
6. Muhammad Ali
5. Michael Jackson
4. Marilyn Monroe
3. Frank Sinatra

2. Madonna, the Material Girl who ruled the world
During an appearance on "American Bandstand" in 1983, Dick Clark asked an up-and-coming young singer what her career aspirations were. With a smile, she matter-of-factly said, "I want to rule the world."
All hail Queen Madonna!
Twenty-five years, 12 Billboard No. 1 songs, worldwide album sales totaling hundreds of millions and a Golden Globe later, she has ruled with a velvet fist.
Besides her numerous accolades, Madonna has influenced fashion, dance and pop culture for an entire generation. Not bad for a girl from Bay City, Mich.

1. Elvis

Source: New York Daily News