Madonna’s younger brother Christopher Ciccone, 63, dies 19 months after Queen of Pop lost elder sibling

MICHIGAN, UNITED STATES: Madonna’s brother, Christopher Ciccone, tragically died at the age of 63 after a brave battle with cancer. He died peacefully on October 4, Friday, surrounded by loved ones at his Michigan home.

This tragedy adds to Madonna's recent heartache, as she also mourns the loss of her stepmother, who died on September 24, and her older brother Anthony, who died just 19 months earlier at the age of 66. 

Christopher leaves behind a vibrant legacy, cherished not only by his famous sister but also by his siblings Martin, Paula, Melanie, Jennifer, and Mario, along with a loving network of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Who was Christopher Ciccone?

Christopher Ciccone was a multifaceted talent, working as a designer, artist, and director throughout his career. He organized concert tours, directed music videos, and ventured into interior and furniture design.

He began his professional journey as Madonna's assistant, dresser, stylist, and artistic director. Growing up in Michigan, the siblings shared a love for dance and collaborated closely during Madonna's rise to fame. 

Christopher Ciccone’s achievements and challenges

Christopher Ciccone was a dancer from a young age and played a key role in his sister Madonna's rise to pop stardom in the 1980s.

He appeared in music videos like 'Lucky Star' and served as art director for her Blond Ambition World Tour and tour director for The Girlie Show. He also directed music videos for Dolly Parton and Tony Bennett. 

In 2008, he published a bestselling autobiography titled 'Life with My Sister Madonna'. In the book, he discussed their strained relationship, her romantic interests, and his experiences on tour with her. For two decades, he worked closely with her, choreographing, directing, dressing, and assisting her, as per Chicago Tribune.

He also designed the interiors of her homes in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. He described their relationship as sometimes feeling like a marriage.

“It was a double-edged sword,” he told 'Good Morning America' in 2008. “Nobody was chaining me down to make — to stay.” 

His book, with its candid accounts of his sister's famous friends, affected some of his Hollywood relationships. By 2012, around the time he launched a shoe collection he designed, he stated in The Standard that he and his sister were on “a perfectly personable level” and in touch.

“I don’t work for her, and it’s better this way,” he said. Throughout his life, Christopher struggled with substance abuse, and Madonna is said to have supported his rehabilitation efforts financially. 

In recent years, he moved to Michigan’s Lower Peninsula to be closer to family. In 2016, he married Ray Thacker, a British actor, who was with him when he died.

Internet pays tribute to Madonna's brother Chrisopher Ciccone

In the wake of Madonna's brother's death, many internet users and fans have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to express their condolences and pay tribute.

One user claimed, "Seems reports are true that Madonna’s brother Christopher Ciccone has died. Very sad, indeed. They were extremely close for much of the time and among the Madonna fan family, he was a huge part of our lives in the 1990s. RIP 😢"

The second user claimed, "It’s confirmed Madonna’s brother Christopher Ciccone passed away. He was an important part of Madonna’s early career. RIP."

Another said, "R.I.P Christopher Ciccone the Madonna’s brother. I know She love him so much. 🕊️💔"

A user claimed, "Saddened to hear that madonna's brother Christopher ciccone has passed away , my condolences to his family R.I.P Christopher 💔" 

One user shared a video of Madonna and Ciccone dancing from a 1984 clip and tweeted, "Madonna’s brother Christopher Ciccone has passed away from prostate cancer. He was 63 years old. He can be seen here with Madonna and Erika Belle in Madonna’s 1984 Lucky Star video. May Chris live amongst the stars and be falling free forever. 😥🤬"

Another person stated, "So sad to hear of Christopher Ciccone’s passing. As well as being Madonna’s brother he was also a huge part of her career. His work on Blond Ambition & The Girlie Show made those tours the groundbreaking spectacle that they were. Thanks Chris. The fans know what you brought ❤️RIP."

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