Madonna’s Oldest Brother Passes Away At Age 66
Anthony Ciccone, Madonna’s oldest brother, has passed away. He was 66 years old.
Joe Henry, the husband of Madonna’s sister, Melanie Ciccone, released the official statement of their brother’s passing on Saturday, stating, “My brother-in-law, Anthony Gerard Ciccone, exited this earthly plane last evening. I’ve known him since I was 15, in the spring of our lives in Michigan, so many years now gone.”
He further mentioned, “Anthony was a complex character. God knows that we tangled in moments, as true brothers can. But I loved him and understood him better than I was sometimes willing to let on.”
And ending his note, Joe wrote, “But trouble fades; and family remains – with hands reached across the table. Farewell, then, brother Anthony. I want to think the god your blessed mother (and mine) believed in has her there, waiting to receive you. At least for today, no one shall dissuade me from this vision.”
The Queen of Pop, born in Michigan, grew up in the Detroit suburbs with her five siblings. Anthony was two years older than Madonna, who was born in 1956.
Madonna left for New York in 1978 to chase her dream and dance, and little did Madonna or her family know that this was the start of an epic and life-changing career for the Like a Virgin hitmaker.
Her brother, Anthony, on the other hand, stayed back in Michigan, working for their father, at some point. He continued to stay close to the town where they grew up until he became a victim of homelessness and alcoholism. Anthony also spent the late 1980s in New York when he was in his 30s, just like his sister.
59-year-old Carolina Gengo, who used to date him then, described Anthony as a lost soul trying hard to find his way around his troubled world. She had nothing but positive words for her previous beau and generally considered him a good person.
Carolina also fondly recalled how Anthony would always have books everywhere and that his books were all he had. He was so consumed with reading about philosophy and life in general that he could sit around for hours and talk about what he had read.
Carolina also mentioned that Anthony disliked being known as Madonna’s brother. She shared that there was one instance during his birthday when he received a call from her sister’s assistant asking him how much money he’d like as a birthday gift. Over time, Anthony felt like Madonna alienated him.
For years, Anthony spent his time sleeping under the Michigan bridge, and then in 2017, Madonna’s family announced that they would be reincorporating estranged Anthony back into the family.
Recall that Anthony shared with Daily Mail in 2011 that he felt like his family all abandoned him and turned their backs on him. He described the situation as, “I’m a zero in their eyes; a non-person, an embarrassment.”
He further lamented that even if he froze to death, his family would probably care or wouldn’t even be aware of it, and in six months, maybe, they’d know.
Anthony shared that while living under the river bridge, he had only his sleeping bag, and his only companion was another homeless man named Michael. After losing his job at their father’s vineyard and winery, he stayed under the bridge. He also admitted to being among the homeless people in the Traverse City ski resort.
Madonna reportedly offered to pay for Anthony’s rehab several times. Still, Anthony adamantly claimed that he was not after getting a free handout just because of his sister and that he was not looking for publicity or Madonna’s money.
Madonna has yet to comment on her brother’s passing, although she liked her brother-in-law’s Instagram post conveying the news.
