Current:Home > StocksChristopher Ciccone, Madonna’s brother and longtime collaborator, dies at 63: 'He's dancing somewhere'-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Christopher Ciccone, Madonna’s brother and longtime collaborator, dies at 63: 'He's dancing somewhere'
View Date:2024-12-23 20:41:57
Christopher Ciccone, an artist and the younger brother of Madonna, has died. He was 63.
Ciccone died Friday after a battle with cancer, a representative confirmed to USA TODAY on Sunday. His husband, Ray Thacker, remained "faithfully by his side during the final stages of the cancer that would ultimately end his life," and he died "peacefully" surrounded by loved ones, according to a statement from the family.
In an Instagram post on Sunday, Madonna paid tribute to her late brother, saying he was the "closest human to me for so long."
"My brother was right by my side," she wrote. "He was a painter a poet and a visionary. I admired him. He had impeccable taste. And a sharp tongue, which he sometimes used against me but I always forgave him."
The "Material Girl" singer, 66, acknowledged that she and her brother did "not speak for sometime." But she shared they "found our way back to each other" after he got sick.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
"I did my best to keep him alive as long as possible," she wrote. "He was in so much pain towards the end. Once again, we held hands We closed our eyes and we danced. Together. I'm glad he's not suffering anymore. There will never be anyone like him. I know he's dancing somewhere."
Ciccone was born in Pontiac, Michigan, and was the fifth child of Madonna's parents Madonna Louise and Silvio Ciccone. They had a total of six children, and after Madonna's mother died, her father remarried and had two more kids, Jennifer and Mario.
After attending Western Michigan University and Oakland University, Ciccone moved to New York and served as a dancer for his sister. He also worked for her as a dresser, creative consultant and interior designer, according to an obituary provided by the family.
Ciccone was also the tour director for her Girlie Show tour. He released a shoe collection in 2012 and directed music videos for artists like Dolly Parton.
In 2008, Ciccone published a tell-all memoir about his sibling titled "Life with My Sister Madonna."
"She hasn't been very kind to my parents, to my brothers and sisters, on many occasions, and I wanted to correct that," he told CBS at the time. In the 2008 interview, Ciccone said he and his sister were no longer speaking directly but that he wrote the book from the perspective of "a brother who loves her."
"Some people consider it a betrayal of some kind. I consider it my memoirs," he said, adding, "She will always be my sister. That is never going to ever go away."
Anthony Ciccone,Madonna's older brother, dies at 66: 'You planted many important seeds'
Speaking to Good Morning America in 2008, Ciccone said his relationship with his sister became strained for a number of reasons, including finances. But by 2012, the two of them were now "good."
"We are in contact with each other, although I haven't seen her for a long time," he told the Evening Standard. "We're back to being a brother and sister. I don't work for her, and it's better this way."
Madonna shocksat star-studded Luar NYFW show with Offset modeling, Ice Spice in front row
Madonna's older brother Anthony Ciccone died last year at 66.
"Thank you for blowing my mind as a young girl and introducing me to Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Buddhism, Taoism, Charles Bukowski, Richard Brautigan, Jack Kerouac, Expansive Thinking, Outside the Box," she said in a tribute to her brother at the time. "You planted many important seeds."
Madonna's stepmother, Joan Ciccone, also died last month after a battle with cancer.
veryGood! (28)
Related
- Powerball winning numbers for Nov. 13 drawing: Jackpot rises to $113 million
- The One Where Jennifer Aniston Owns the 2024 Sag Awards Red Carpet
- Odysseus moon lander tipped over on its side during historic mission. How did that happen?
- Vigils held nationwide for nonbinary Oklahoma teenager who died following school bathroom fight
- Catholic bishops urged to boldly share church teachings — even unpopular ones
- Proof Reese Witherspoon Has TikToker Campbell Pookie Puckett on the Brain at 2024 SAG Awards
- Light rail train hits a car in Phoenix, killing a woman and critically injuring another
- Mega Millions winning numbers for February 23 drawing as jackpot passes $520 million
- Kansas basketball vs Michigan State live score updates, highlights, how to watch Champions Classic
- Soldier surprises younger brother at school after 3 years overseas
Ranking
- Jason Kelce Offers Up NSFW Explanation for Why Men Have Beards
- Video shows 7 people being rescued after seaplane crashes near PortMiami: Watch
- The Swiftie-hood of the traveling jacket: 'Dave's Jacket' travels to 46 Eras shows
- John Wooden stamp unveiled at UCLA honoring the coach who led Bruins to a record 10 national titles
- Amtrak service disrupted after fire near tracks in New York City
- Kodai Senga receives injection in right shoulder. What does it mean for Mets starter?
- What you didn't see on TV during the SAG Awards, from Barbra Streisand to Pedro Pascal
- Light rail train hits a car in Phoenix, killing a woman and critically injuring another
Recommendation
-
Everard Burke Introduce
-
Video shows 7 people being rescued after seaplane crashes near PortMiami: Watch
-
Chemours and DuPont Knew About Risks But Kept Making Toxic PFAS Chemicals, UN Human Rights Advisors Conclude
-
Olympic champion Suni Lee's rough Winter Cup day is reminder of what makes her a great
-
Federal judge orders Oakland airport to stop using ‘San Francisco’ in name amid lawsuit
-
Railroad Commission Approves Toxic Waste Ponds Next to Baptist Camp
-
Shane Gillis struggles in a 'Saturday Night Live' monologue which avoids the obvious
-
When does 'The Voice' Season 25 start? 2024 premiere date, time, coaches, where to watch