Madonna in mourning: Her brother Anthony Ciccone dies at the age of 66
27 February, 2023
This weekend it emerged that Madonna's brother Anthony Ciccone has died at the age of 66.
It came after Ciccone went through a hard life where he suffered with alcoholism and homelessness.
Musician Joe Henry, who is married to the singer's sister Melanie Ciccone, made the sad announcement via Instagram on Saturday.
"My brother-in-law, Anthony Gerard Ciccone, departed this earthly plane last night," Henry posted. "I've known him since he was 15 years old, in the spring of our lives in Michigan, so many years gone. "As brother Dave Henry states, Anthony was a complex character; and well God knows: we tangled at times, as true brothers can, but I loved him and understood him better than I was sometimes willing to let on."
Strained relationship
Henry went on to admit that: although "troubles fade", the family remains, with "hands outstretched" across the table.
"Farewell, then, brother Anthony," he concluded.
"I'd like to think that the god your blessed mother (and mine) believed in has her there, waiting to receive you.
"At least for today, no one will dissuade me from this vision."
Madonna's family history
The 'Queen of Pop' Madonna, one of eight siblings, grew up in Michigan, where her older brother is believed to have resided when he died, according to Page Six.
Her mother, Madonna Ciccone, died after a battle with breast cancer at the age of 33 in 1963.
Anthony, meanwhile, had long struggled with alcoholism and was reportedly homeless for several years.
At one point he had been living under a bridge in Michigan.
In December 2017, the Daily Mail reported that Anthony had completed a programme at a rehabilitation center, and was later reunited with his family at home.
Years earlier, Anthony had previously spoken out against Madonna and the rest of his family, accusing them of not caring about him.
"I'm a zero in their eyes, a non-person, I'm an embarrassment. If I froze to death, my family probably wouldn't know or care about it for six months," he was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.
"My dad would be very happy if I died of hypothermia, so he wouldn't have to worry about it any more.
"He's old school, he grew up in the Depression."
He also spoke of his strained relationship with Madonna.
"I never loved her in the first place, she never loved me, we never loved each other," Anthony Ciccone reportedly said in 2011.
Source: www.marca.com