Madonna took to Instagram yesterday to post a message following the death of her oldest brother, Anthony Ciccone.
The singer has five siblings. Anthony was her oldest brother, followed by brother Martin, then Madonna, and then three younger siblings.
Anthony’s death was announced over the weekend. He was 66.
Joe Henry, the husband of Madonna’s sister Melanie Ciccone, wrote on Instagram: “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.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
“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.
“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,” said Henry.
Anthony lived in Michigan for the majority of his life. He battled alcoholism and spent time homeless and sleeping under a bridge. He said in 2011 that his family had turned their back on him.
“If I froze to death, my family probably wouldn’t know or care about it for six months.”
Madonna reportedly offered to pay several times for Anthony to go into rehab but he turned it down. He told the Daily Mail in 2011, “My family seem to think rehab is some kind of magic panacea for life’s ills.”
However, it’s understood he underwent rehab treatment in 2017 and reconnected with some members of his family.
Yesterday, Madonna posted an old photo to her Instagram stories. It showed herself among a group of people, including Anthony.
“Thank you for blowing my mind as a young girl and introducing me to Charlie Parker, Miles David, Buddhism, Taoism, Charles Bukowski, Richard Brautigan, Jack Kerouac, expansive thinking outing the box,” she captioned the photo. “You planted many important seeds.”
Related: P!nk explains her “twisted” history with Madonna: “She doesn’t like me”
Madonna later posted a video that appears to show her turning up to audition dancers for her upcoming ‘Celebration’ tour.
“Thank God I have my creative life to inspire me and keep me going……. ♥️”
View this post on Instagram
Related: Madonna has a message to those of you criticizing her appearance: “Bow down bitches!”
ScottOnEarth
Doesn’t seem like a very touching tribute. As always, she makes it about her and what she gained from his existence when she was a young girl, just starting out on her mission of self-importance, selfishness and acute narcissism. Hopefully his other siblings and loved ones made a tribute that was about him.
Troyfight
@ScottOnEarth ….stunningly true.
wyatt88
You are sadly so correct.
edchiuphoto
May be you already have pre conception about Madonna.. This is HER experience and her reflection.. She can pay respect to him however she wants in public.. How the hell do you know how she is feeling in private. Seems you already have issues with the idea of any celebrity.. If you read carefully and consciously. He has inspired her and taught her in many ways .. You are just stupid.
bachy
Like most unrecovered addicts, her brother did everything he could to drag his family into the gutter with him. Their dedication to self-destruction slowly demoralizes everyone around them. They can really put the people who love them through hell. Madonna made several offers to pay for rehab, but he kept refusing.
You can’t force someone to fix their life; they have to want to do it. Sometimes the best you can do is refuse to be brought down and live your own life to the best of your ability – and pray they eventually come to their senses.
But ultimately, it’s up to them. Not you.
Gabby
Very well said.
Troyfight
…@bachy …yes, very well said.
edchiuphoto
very true. Previously I had a husband who was an alcoholic.. despite many attempts to help him and asked others to help.. in the end it was up to him to drag his arse to get help in rehab.. I did all i could but in reward to his courage.. I made sure i took him out of rehab every fortnight.. Some people keep going. some just go down spiral.. Some people are strong, some are stronger..
Paulie P
The photo is her whole family. Do your research Queerty…instead of …. It showed herself among a group of people, including Anthony.
DBMC
I have such sympathy for the family and for Anthony. Addiction and mental health are so difficult to deal with and we don’t deal with them very well. RIP
caxlrose69
The “group of people” in the IG photo are all 8 Ciccone siblings. Madonna’ youngest (half-) sister Jennifer is on the far left, sitting next to brother Christopher, who is (characteristically) sipping from his drink. Madonna has her arm around youngest brother Mario, and she’s flanked by sister Paula. Madonna’s sister Melanie — who is married to Joe Henry (who posted the original tribute to Anthony) — is on the far right.
Man About Town
Jennifer isn’t on the far left, she’s 2nd from left. Not sure who the guy on the far left is; it might be Madonna’s brother Martin, or maybe it’s Jennifer’s husband.
Also, regarding Christopher sipping his drink, what’s with the word “characteristically”?
abfab
I think we had more fun with the passing of Kirsty Alley.
ScottOnEarth
LOL!!
abfab
My Scientology Handy Dandy Planetary Calendar says she should be flying past Neptune this week and then next week, Uranus. If she had good Karma, she’ll sail away to another Galaxy. If she had bad Karma, she’ll have to come back here and do it all over again.
Neoprene
You meant contrived message, right? This is Madonna we’re talking about.
abfab
This coming from the Queen of Contrivance.