‘Queen of Quirky Pop' Turns 73 Today

Some girls just love to have fun. That is certainly the case for Cyndi Lauper, who turns 73 today, June 22, 2026.

Born on June 22, 1953, Lauper became known as the "Queen of Quirky Pop" thanks to her iconic track, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." It's a song that is sung by millions even today, becoming an anthem for many.

Lauper has sold 50 million copies of her songs worldwide, standing out thanks to her neon hair and powerful vocal range. Did you know that she has a four-octave range?

While many remember her for "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," she stood out with the power ballad "Time After Time" and "True Colors." The more you think of her songs, the more you realize just how much you know! It's also easy to see how she's become the inspiration for artists such as Katy Perry and Lady Gaga. This is a woman not afraid to be herself, and she shines in positivity while doing it.

What few people will realize today is that Lauper isn't just an amazing singer. She has been praised for her humanitarian efforts. In 2010, she was diagnosed with psoriasis, an autoimmune skin condition that causes painful, flaking rashes all over the skin. It's something she has had to manage while performing live, and it's something that many people struggle with.

To help raise awareness, Lauper has been vocal about her medical journey. She wants others to seek treatment as soon as possible, allowing them to manage the progression of the issue. For Lauper, it started as a minor scalp rash that was managed with the right shampoo, but after that, it spread to other parts of her body.

Also dubbed as "The Queen of Having Fun," she hasn't just raised awareness for psoriasis. In 2022, she launched the Girls Just Want to Have Fundamental Rights Fund, which is focused on abortion rights and reproductive healthcare. She has also long been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, with her third single from her first album, "She Bop," becoming the first (and only) Top 10 song to have a direct mention of a gay porn magazine. It even ended up with a Parental Advisory sticker for the meaning behind the story in the song. "True Colors" is also a gay anthem, advocating for LGBTQ+ who have run away or are homeless.

Her first track will always be the one most people immediately think of when they consider the 73-year-old icon. "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" didn't just bring about something fun that everyone could dance to, but it brought a new role model for women around the world, focusing on playfulness and differences in self-expression. It became the first music video to win the Best Female Video prize at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1984, and it quickly proved she was one to watch.

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This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 7:30 AM.