Madonna Speaks Out Following The Passing Of Her Brother Anthony Ciccone

Madonna's eldest brother Anthony died on February 24, 2023, at the age of 66. The music icon took to her Instagram stories on Monday to pen a heartfelt tribute to her late brother. The singer also posted a group photo showing her late brother.

In the tribute, Madonna thanked Anthony for teaching her a lot of things as a young girl. Through her caption, she explained how Anthony's presence was crucial in opening her eyes to some important knowledge.

The singer mentioned he introduced her to jazz musicians. She wrote he also taught her religious Buddhism, and Taoism, among others. The Vogue singer concluded the tribute with, "You planted many important seeds" 

During his lifetime, Anthony's relationship with Madonna, his other siblings, and family members as a whole was strained. This was due to his years-long struggle with alcoholism. A source opened up on Page Six about the final months of Anthony's life.

The source shared that the Evita actress supported her brother whenever he accepted it. Through the years, the late Anthony struggled with treatment. In 2017, he sought treatment for alcoholism. He also maintained contact with his family in the final years of his life.

However, the week before his death, he refused the support a rehab facility offered. According to the insider, it was clear the eldest Ciccone sibling was "ready to move on." The cause of Anthony's death remains unclear. 

The death of Madonna's eldest brother was announced by musician Joe Henry. Henry is the husband of Madonna's sister Melanie Ciccone. The musician posted a black-and-white portrait of Anthony on Instagram. He shared that he has known Anthony since he was 15.

Henry continued and described Anthony as a complex character who he loved and understood. From Henry's lengthy caption, one could deduce that Anthony's tense relationship was something the family mutually understood.

He concluded the post by wishing Anthony farewell. Henry solemnly penned, "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.”

After Henry announced the death of Anthony, fans flocked to share their tributes in the comment section. One commenter on Henry's post claimed they met Anthony 10 days before his death. Friends of Anthony from the 90s also shared their condolences.

Someone made it known that they worked closely together back in the 90s when he shot music videos. Another person commented on her memories of Anthony in 1987. Other fans also mourned the loss of Anthony, shared fond memories of their encounters, and wished him peace. 

Anthony's death came after he battled alcoholism and homelessness for several years. His life was quite different from that of Madonna who is one of the most successful musicians. Anthony dropped out of college in his 20s and found it difficult to hold down a job.

In 1993, his girlfriend became pregnant. After their split six years later, Anthony was told he could not see his son. It drove him into heavy drinking. This was the genesis of his alcohol addiction.

At that time he also had no job and nowhere to live. His life immediately went into a spiral, as he struggled to survive. He started sleeping under a bridge in Michigan and sometimes found warmth in the lobby of the local jail. 

Following his homelessness and battle with alcoholism, Anthony once spoke about his relationship with his family. Anthony had seven siblings, Madonna, Martin, Paula, Christopher, Melanie, Jennifer, and Mario.

In 2013, Anthony accused his father, Silvio Ciccone, of not caring about him. However, his father once offered him a job in the family winery and Madonna paid for his rehab. Anthony later left rehab and went back to heavy drinking, leaving his father to fire him.

In his 2013 interview with DailyMail, Anthony insisted that his father would be happy if he had hypothermia. He touched on a sensitive topic of sibling rivalry while adding that his family as a whole would not care if he passed on. However, a source at that time shared that his family was trying to help but Anthony pushed them away. 

Anthony did not only talk about his relationship with his father, but he also opened up about his relationship with Madonna. In 2011, Anthony told DailyMail that he and Madonna "never loved each other."

He also slammed the singer for turning her back on him when he was having a hard time. At that time, he also added that the True Blue singer did not have any family loyalty. Anthony continued that Madonna's fame was a "burden" to him. It is unclear where Anthony's relationship stood with Madonna at the time of his death.