SYDNEY - From teenage soap sensation to pop royalty, over Kylie Minogue's three-decade career she has sold 80 million records, survived breast cancer and become an icon whose fanbase spans generations.

The pint-sized Aussie superstar celebrated her 50th birthday on Monday, another milestone for the singer who is one of the few celebrities known simply by their first name.

To mark the occasion Kylie has said she is planning "an extravaganza" with friends in London, where she is based - and if her litany of hits including "I Should Be So Lucky" and "Can't Get You Out Of My Head" is anything to go by, she will have no trouble getting the party started.

Born in Melbourne on May 28, 1968, Kylie has defied critics who once wrote her off as a "singing budgie" to establish herself as one of Australia's biggest cultural exports.

"Kylie is a star that has become iconic outside of just singing," said Australian fashion expert Paula Joye of the country's highest-selling artist of all time. "She's become part of the fabric of Australian culture."

Kylie was just 11 when she appeared in the television series "Skyways", but is best known for her star turn as Charlene in long-running soap opera "Neighbours" from 1986 to 1988.

Her first single - a cover of 1960s Little Eva hit "Locomotion" - reached number one in Australia in 1987 and became a global hit, launching the girl-next-door's new career as a pop star and, later, dance diva.

Kylie went on to record top-selling singles such as "Better the Devil You Know", "Spinning Around" and "All The Lovers" - performing them around the world in glitzy showgirl outfits.

The singer was also outspoken about her battle with breast cancer in 2005, which forced her to cancel her headline slot at Britain's Glastonbury Festival.

She was given the all-clear a year later and has helped to raise awareness of the need for women to undergo screening for the disease, even in their 30s. - AFP