Madonna’s brother, artist Christopher Ciccone, passed away after a battle with cancer.

Christopher Ciccone, the younger brother of iconic pop star Madonna, passed away peacefully on Friday at the age of 63. Surrounded by his loving husband, Ray Thacker, and other family members, Ciccone succumbed to a battle with cancer. His journey was marked by both artistic triumphs and personal challenges.

Ciccone’s career began as a dancer and choreographer, initially supporting his sister’s burgeoning stardom. He served as Madonna’s dresser and creative consultant, playing a important role in her early success. Ciccone’s talents extended beyond the stage, as he also directed music videos and tours, including Madonna’s iconic The Girlie Show world tour in 1993 and the acclaimed Blond Ambition World Tour in 1990.

Beyond his work with Madonna, Ciccone established himself as a respected interior, footwear, and furniture designer. His artistic endeavors culminated in the publication of the bestselling book, “Life With My Sister Madonna,” in 2008. This candid memoir revealed a complex and sometimes strained relationship between the siblings.

Ciccone alleged that Madonna had publicly outed him as gay in a 1991 interview with The Advocate. He further accused Madonna’s ex-husband, Guy Ritchie, of homophobia. The turning point in their relationship, according to Ciccone, came when Madonna brought cameras to their mother’s grave for her 1991 documentary, “Truth or Dare.”

In a 2008 interview with Good Morning America, Ciccone expressed his hurt and disappointment, stating, “I kept it inside but I thought to myself, ‘OK, there are no boundaries now.’ You know, my mother’s now become a side a bit player in her life, life story, and it hurt me.” He added, “And my opinion of her altered at that moment. I never said anything about it.”  

Madonna’s longtime representative, Liz Rosenberg, responded to the allegations, stating that the singer had not read the book but found it “very upsetting.” Rosenberg suggested that the book had irrevocably damaged their relationship, stating, “I would have to assume she has come to terms with the fact that they do not have a close and loving relationship.”

However, in subsequent interviews in 2012, Ciccone indicated that he and Madonna had reconciled. “Our relationship is fine as far as I’m concerned,” he said. “We’re back to being a brother and sister.”

Madonna paid tribute to her brother in an Instagram post following his passing. She described him as “the closest human to me for so long” and expressed gratitude for their renewed bond during his illness. “It’s hard to explain our bond. But it grew out of an understanding that we were different and society was going to give us a hard time for not following the status quo,” Madonna wrote. “We took each other’s hands and we danced through the madness of our childhood.”  

Madonna recalled how dance had been a unifying force in their lives, providing a safe space for Ciccone to express his true self. She praised his artistic talents and their shared defiance against societal norms. “We defied the Roman Catholic Church, the police, the moral majority and all Authority figures that got in the way of artistic freedom! My brother was right by my side,” Madonna wrote.

Despite the challenges they faced in recent years, Madonna expressed her love and admiration for Ciccone. “There will never be anyone like him,” she wrote. “I know he’s dancing somewhere.”

Beyond his work with Madonna, Ciccone made significant contributions to the world of interior design. He designed commercial interiors for restaurants in New York City, Miami, and Los Angeles, as well as the corporate boxes for London’s O2 arena and a luxury condo development in Miami Beach. His furniture design for Bernhardt Furniture was even selected for President Bill Clinton’s New York office.

Christopher Gerard Ciccone was born on November 20, 1960, in Pontiac, Michigan. He grew up in Rochester, Michigan, and pursued his passion for dance while attending college at Western Michigan and Oakland universities. After moving to New York City, he worked alongside Madonna, supporting her early career.

In his later years, Ciccone returned to Michigan to be closer to family. He married Ray Thacker, a British actor, in 2016. In addition to Thacker and Madonna, Ciccone is survived by his father, other siblings, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Ciccone’s passing comes after the loss of his stepmother, Joan Ciccone, to cancer in September and his brother, Anthony, in early 2023.Sources and related content