Christopher Ciccone, Madonna’s brother and long-time collaborator, passes away at 63: ‘He’s dancing somewhere’
Christopher Ciccone, an artist and Madonna’s younger brother, has passed away at the age of 63.
Ciccone died on Friday after a struggle with cancer, as confirmed by a representative to YSL News on Sunday. His spouse, Ray Thacker, stayed “faithfully by his side during the final stages of his battle” and he passed on “peacefully” surrounded by family, according to a family statement.
On Sunday, Madonna honored her deceased brother in an Instagram post, describing him as the “closest human to me for so long.”
“He was always there for me,” she expressed. “He was an artist, a poet, and a visionary whom I admired. His taste was exceptional and he had a sharp tongue, which he sometimes used against me, but I always forgave him.”
The “Material Girl” singer, now 66, recognized that she and her brother had “not spoken for quite a while.” However, she shared that they “found our way back to each other” following his illness.
“I did everything I could to keep him here as long as possible,” she noted. “He was in immense pain in those final days. Once again, we held hands, closed our eyes, and danced. Together. I’m thankful he’s no longer suffering. There will never be another like him. I believe he’s dancing somewhere now.”
Ciccone was born in Pontiac, Michigan, as the fifth child of Madonna’s parents, Madonna Louise and Silvio Ciccone. The couple had six children in total, and after Madonna’s mother passed away, her father remarried and had two more children, Jennifer and Mario.
After studying at Western Michigan University and Oakland University, Ciccone moved to New York and performed as a dancer for his sister. He also served her as a dresser, creative advisor, and interior designer, as indicated in his obituary submitted by the family.
Ciccone also took on the role of tour director for her Girlie Show tour, introduced a shoe collection in 2012, and directed music videos for artists like Dolly Parton.
In 2008, he released a memoir titled “Life with My Sister Madonna,” where he shared personal stories about their relationship.
“She hasn’t always treated my parents, brothers, and sisters kindly, and I wanted to address that,” he mentioned in an interview with CBS at that time. During the same 2008 discussion, he explained that he and Madonna were not in direct communication but he wrote the book with the love of a brother.
“Some may view it as a betrayal of sorts, but I see it as my memoirs,” he added, affirming, “She will always be my sister, and that bond is unbreakable.”
Speaking to Good Morning America in 2008, Ciccone explained that his relationship with his sister had been strained for various reasons, including financial disputes. However, by 2012, they had reconciled.
“We stay in touch, although I haven’t seen her in a long time,” he shared with the Evening Standard. “We’ve returned to being siblings. I don’t work for her anymore, and that’s a good thing.”
Madonna’s older brother Anthony Ciccone passed away last year at the age of 66.
“Thank you for inspiring me as a young girl and introducing me to Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Buddhism, Taoism, Charles Bukowski, Richard Brautigan, Jack Kerouac, and innovative thinking,” she remarked in her tribute to her brother back then. “You planted many crucial seeds.”
Madonna’s stepmother, Joan Ciccone, also passed away last month following a battle with cancer.
