Christopher Ciccone, a multifaceted artist, dancer, designer, and the younger brother of Madonna, has passed away at the age of 63. His death occurred on Friday in Michigan, as confirmed by his representative, Brad Taylor, who disclosed that Ciccone had been battling cancer.
In a heartfelt tribute posted on Instagram Sunday, Madonna shared a collection of photos capturing moments from their life together. She expressed, “He was the closest human to me for so long. It’s hard to explain our bond, but it grew from an understanding that we were different and that society would challenge us for not conforming. We held each other’s hands and danced through the chaos of our childhood.”
Reflecting on their beginnings, Madonna noted that discovering dance in their small Midwestern hometown provided them salvation. Their ballet teacher played a vital role in creating a safe environment for Ciccone to embrace his identity as a gay man. Since his youth, Ciccone had been a dancer and was profoundly involved in Madonna’s rise to fame during the 1980s. He contributed to her career by appearing in iconic music videos like “Lucky Star,” serving as the art director for her celebrated Blond Ambition World Tour, and taking on the role of tour director for The Girlie Show tour. Additionally, he directed music videos for prominent artists like Dolly Parton and Tony Bennett.
Madonna praised her brother’s exceptional taste, stating, “When it came to good taste, my brother was the Pope, and you had to kiss the ring to get his blessing. He was a painter, a poet, and a visionary. I admired him immensely. His taste was impeccable, and while he often had a sharp tongue, which he sometimes directed at me, I always forgave him.”
In 2008, Christopher Ciccone published a memoir entitled “Life with My Sister Madonna,” where he candidly discussed their complicated relationship, her romantic pursuits, and shared memories from their time on tour together. He devoted two decades to being an integral part of her career, undertaking tasks like choreographing, directing, and styling for her. Additionally, he lent his design expertise to her homes in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles, comparing their professional relationship to a marriage at times. “It was a double-edged sword,” he recalled in an interview with Good Morning America. “Nobody was chaining me down to stay.”
While the memoir provided insight into their lives, his unfiltered stories did impact some of his friendships in Hollywood. Years later, in 2012, during the launch of a shoe collection he designed, he mentioned that he and his sister had achieved a “perfectly personable level” of interaction and were in touch. “I don’t work for her anymore, and it’s better this way,” he added.
More recently, Ciccone moved back to Michigan’s Lower Peninsula to be closer to his family. In 2016, he married British actor Ray Thacker, who was by his side during his final moments. Madonna revealed that when Ciccone fell ill, they rediscovered their bond. “I’m glad he’s not suffering anymore,” she wrote. “There will never be anyone like him. I know he’s dancing somewhere.”
It is worth noting that Madonna recently faced additional heartache, having lost her stepmother, Joan Clare Ciccone, to cancer just weeks before Christopher’s passing, as well as her older brother, Anthony Ciccone, earlier in 2023.
