Madonna’s older brother Anthony Ciccone dead at 66

Madonna’s “complex” and troubled older brother, Anthony Ciccone, has passed away aged 66.

Madonna's brother Anthony Ciccone has died aged 66.

Madonna’s eldest sibling, Anthony Ciccone, has died, Page Six has learned.

He was 66.

“Most family members had a difficult relationship with him due to his disease [with alcohol],” a source told Page Six.

“Madonna helped to support her brother when he would accept that support. During his final months he was in contact with family and Madonna, but this past week he refused the support the rehab facility offered and it was clear he was ready to move on,” the insider added.

Musician Joe Henry, who is married to Madonna’s sister Melanie Ciccone, also confirmed the sad announcement via 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,” Henry, 62, captioned a black-and-white photo of his late family member.

Madonna during the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards. Picture: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for MTV/ViacomCBS

She had a complicated relationship with her brother, Anthony Ciccone. Picture: Splash News/Media Mode

“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.

Henry added that while “trouble fades,” 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,” he continued. “At least for today, no one shall dissuade me from this vision.”

Page Six has reached out to Madonna’s rep for comment.

Madonna, who is one of eight children, grew up in Michigan, where her older brother was believed to have been residing when he died.

Anthony had publicly criticised his family in the past. Picture: Splash News/Media Mode

Their mother, Madonna Ciccone, died following a battle with breast cancer at age 33 in 1963.

Anthony, for his part, had long struggled with alcoholism and was reportedly homeless for several years. He at one point had reportedly been living under a bridge in Michigan.

In December 2017, Daily Mail reported that Anthony had completed a program at a rehab facility, and later reconnected with his family at home.

Years prior, Anthony previously spoke out against Madonna and the rest of their family, accusing them of not caring about him.

Ciccone “refused the support the rehab facility offered”. Picture: Splash News/Media Mode

“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,” he said in 2011, per the Daily Mail.

“My father would be very happy if I died of hypothermia, then he wouldn’t have to worry about it any more. He’s old school, he grew up in the depression,” he went on before claiming he and the Vogue singer “never loved each other.”

“I never loved her in the first place, she never loved me. We never loved each other,” he claimed.

This article originally appeared in Page Six and was reproduced with permission.

Originally published as Madonna’s older brother Anthony Ciccone dead at 66