Death is a natural occurrence, but it can be particularly difficult when it happens unexpectedly. Madonna’s brother, Anthony Ciccone, has passed away at the age of 66, causing great pain for the family. Reports indicate that Anthony had been experiencing declining health in recent years.
The news of Anthony’s death was first confirmed by Joe Henry, who is married to Madonna’s sister Melanie Ciccone.
He took to Instagram to make the announcement. He posted a picture of Anthony and wrote in the caption, “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. As brother Dave Henry (who took this photograph) notes here, Anthony was a complex character; and god knows: we tangled in moments, as true brothers can. But I loved him, and understood him better than I was sometimes willing to let on.”
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“But trouble fades; and family remains— with hands reached across the table,” he wrote further. “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.”
Madonna grew up in Michigan with her seven siblings, including her late brother Anthony. There have been reports that Anthony was still living in Michigan at some point and had a strained relationship with Madonna and their other siblings due to his problems with substance abuse. It has been suggested that Anthony may have even been homeless and living under a bridge in Michigan.
In 2013, Anthony spoke to the media and made some upsetting claims about his relationship with his family. He said that he felt like he was not important to them and that they would not even notice if something happened to him, such as if he were to freeze to death. He believed that his family was embarrassed by him and saw him as a “non-person”.
He said, “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.”
“My father would be very happy if I died of hypothermia, then he wouldn’t have to worry about it anymore. He’s old school, he grew up in the depression,” he continued, he also claimed that the famed singer and him “never loved each other.”
“I never loved her in the first place, she never loved me. We never loved each other,” Anthony said.
It’s unexpected and saddening to hear about the passing of Anthony Ciccone. We wish the family strength and comfort as they cope with this difficult loss.
