MUMBAI: In a rather candid revelation, 'Material Girl' singer Madonna disclosed a very personal detail in an essay for Harper's Bazaar magazine: "The Daring Issue", which has been published online. The pop diva tells of the time she was raped at knifepoint when she moved to New York from her hometown Michigan. But the 55 year old singer tosses aside the information just as easily as she divulges it.

The essay is a collection of some of Madonna's most 'daring' decisions, as put forth by the singer. In the essay Madonna writes, "New York wasn't everything I thought it would be". It did not welcome me with open arms. The first year, I was held up at gunpoint. Raped on the roof of a building I was dragged up to with a knife in my back, and had my apartment broken into three times. I don't know why; I had nothing of value after they took my radio the first time."

Madonna first spoke about the incident almost two decades ago when she was promoting her book "Sex". At the time she said "In a way it was a real eye-opening experience. I'd only lived in New York for a year and I was very young, very trusting of people." However, she acknowledged that the episode made her "much more street smart and savvy."

In addition to the horrifying story, she also reveals some of the other 'daring' decisions she has made in her life. These include adopting her international children and settling down in a foreign country. The singer says being daring is her norm now. She also said that she tries to teach her children to be daring and to think outside the box. From being an international music sensation, Madonna has now started making films, which she claims is the most challenging, yet rewarding thing that she has done.