Madonna lost her younger brother Christopher Ciccone on Friday after his long battle with cancer. Ciccone’s representative, Brad Taylor, broke the news on social media, noting that the 63-year-old died in his hometown in Michigan.
The tragic announcement was met with reactions and tributes from his fans and supporters on social media, including Madonna. She claimed to have done her best to keep him alive as his illness brought them closer; however, she is glad he is now resting.
Madonna pays tribute to her younger brother
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Madonna penned a lengthy, heartfelt note about her late sibling on Instagram and accompanied it with a carousel of photos from their moments together. “My brother Christopher is gone. He was the closest human to me for so long,” she began, adding that their bond was hard to explain.
She added that their shared childhood experiences fueled their relationship, and their preference for the unconditional brought them to a mutual understanding. “My brother was right by my side. He was a painter, a poet, and a visionary. I admired him. He had impeccable taste. And a sharp tongue,” she penned.
Madonna and her brother bonded over dancing
Dancing was a means of escape for Madonna and her late brother during their childhood, and they would often practice together with a ballet teacher, who made Ciccone feel safe for being gay. Hand-in-hand, the duo set off to New York to pursue an entertainment career, often working and seeking opportunities together.
Like Madonna, Ciccone was also controversial as the queen of Pop revealed that they disobeyed the Catholic Church authority and confronted the police and anyone else who stood in the way of their creativity. “We danced together on stage at the beginning of my career and eventually, he became the Creative Director, of many tours,” she wrote. Fans shared their thoughts and prayers with Madonna in the comments and praised her for being a present older sister.