Madonna’s older brother, artist Anthony Ciccone, died at 66. On February 26, Ciccone’s brother-in-law, Joseph Henry, posted the devastating news on Instagram. Anthony Gerard Ciccone, my brother-in-law, died last night, Henry wrote.
“Anthony had a complicated personality; as true brothers sometimes do, we clashed. Still, I liked and knew him better than I cared to admit. But the hardship passes, and the family remains, reaching across the table. Brother Anthony, farewell for the time being.”
The cause of death Ciccone is still unknown. However, as Henry’s remark implies, Ciccone did not live a simple life because he had a history of drug usage and was homeless.
Ciccone chastised his renowned sister in 2011 for failing to save him from a long time of homelessness. “Madonna doesn’t give a s**t if I’m dead or alive,” Ciccone told the Daily Mail. “She lives in a parallel universe. She never loved me, and I never loved her.”
“We never fell in love with one other.” Furthermore, Ciccone mocked his father, adding that he would be “happy if I died of hypothermia so he wouldn’t have to worry about it any longer.”
Madonna has yet to respond to Ciccone’s sudden death.
Yet, it is likely that Madonna and her brother did not get along.
Anthony Ciccone’s life significantly differed from Madonna’s, who rose to global fame through her singing career and acquired a wealth of $850 million.
But, in recent years, Ciccone has struggled to maintain his sobriety and to find long-term housing.
Although it is unclear when Ciccone’s problems began, it appears they increased when he started working for his father’s winery.
According to the Daily Mail, Ciccone’s family fired him after discovering he had been stealing wine from the company’s vats.
In an interview with The Michigan Messenger a year later, Ciccone addressed the city’s homelessness situation and made similarly cruel remarks about his family.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Ciccone stated, “My family turned their back on me while I was experiencing a tough time. Do you think I haven’t discussed why my sister is a multi-billionaire while I am homeless on the streets a thousand times?”
Despite Ciccone’s earlier comments, his family attempted to get him into a rehabilitation facility in 2017, according to the Daily Mail. It’s unclear whether Ciccone was in a better place at his death or whether his rehab stint was successful. We certainly hope so.
