it will be some time before the charts see the back of a woman who is just as relevant today as she was when she debuted.

Sam is right, that's is all bout, she's still relevant today as she was 25 years ago.
As for Madonna copied from Marilyn Monroe, Madge has done a tribute to her in her video "Material Girl" a nickname some people still use to referred to Madonna, she copied from her once again in "The Blonde Ambition Tour", but Madonna is a singer, Marilyn was an actress, Gaga copied from Madges some of her looks, Music and same shock values, yes! Gaga is very talented but Madonna is very talented too, she has nothing to prove, Madonna is my favorite female singer but Marilyn Monroe was the Most Beautiful Woman in the World, and she is remembered for her BEAUTY, Madonna would be remembered for other things but certanly not for her physical appearance, the same for Gaga. Anyway i love both, i make fun of Madge too, i sometimes call her The Mother of all bitches because is true she was a bitch and still is, what cant i do, the same for Gaga i like to call her Printer Gaga, cuz she copied a lot, you know just to laugh a little bit. Imagine if these two make a duet, OMG! the whole world would feel the earth quakes.