The Like A Virgin hitmaker posted a picture alongside one of the late politician's famous quotes - "If you set out to be liked, you would be prepared to compromise on anything at any time, and you would achieve nothing" - and added the caption, "Thank you Margaret Thatcher! #unapolgetic #rebelheart (sic)".

After posting the image, the star faced a backlash from followers who slammed her for lauding Thatcher, who was infamous for her divisive policies, which prompted both praise and vitriol following her death in 2013.

Madonna did not comment on the controversy but removed the photo and later posted a racy image of herself in underwear surrounded by roses, alongside the caption, "He sent me roses begging my forgiveness. I said I'd think about it. These guys..."

Earlier this year (15), the star was blasted for sharing images of iconic leaders including Martin Luther King, Jr. and Nelson Mandela with their faces bound with black wire to replicate the cover of her latest album, Rebel Heart.