Anthony Ciccone, 66, died on February 24 in Michigan.
Madonna did her best to be a rock for her older brother Anthony Ciccone, and she paid him a visit soon before his death earlier this month.
According to a source, the “Like a Prayer” singer, 64, and her family — which includes six additional siblings — had a troubled relationship with Anthony due to his long history of addiction, but were supportive in his final months.
“They were all there for him, and despite the fact that they were estranged, Madonna helped him in whatever way she could when he was willing to accept it,” one insider claims. “Family members, including Madonna, visited him while he was in treatment over the last few months as he declined.”
Anthony, 66, died on February 24 in Suttons Bay, Michigan, according to his obituary. He is described as an “insatiable reader” and “a deep lover of music with a wanderer’s spirit” in the obituary, which also details his troubles and notes him as being “troubled and distant from his own, valued family.”
“While a loner – secluded for much of his adult life by the addiction that contributed to his early end – he was still energized by the community and a sense of belonging,” it says.
Madonna paid tribute to her brother in an Instagram Story following his death, which included the duo sitting for a black-and-white shot with their siblings in the 1980s.
“Thank you for blowing my mind when I was a little child,” she wrote, adding, “You sowed many crucial seeds.”
Anthony introduced her to Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Buddhism, Taoism, Charles Bukowski, Richard Brautigan, Jack Kerouac, and broad thinking, according to the music singer.
Anthony stated in 2011 that he was “homeless on the street” and living under a bridge in their home state of Michigan. Anthony was “back home” and “recovering” after spending time in a treatment center, according to his brother Christopher Ciccone, who told The Mirror in 2017.
Joe Henry, Madonna’s brother-in-law who is married to Melanie, announced his death.
“My brother-in-law, Anthony Gerard Ciccone, passed away last evening,” he wrote in the caption. “I’ve known him since I was 15 years old, back in the spring of our lives in Michigan, so many years ago. 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 ready to admit at times,” he continued. “But trouble disappears; and family remains— with hands reached across the table. So, brother Anthony, farewell. I want to imagine the deity your blessed mother (and mine) believed in has her there, waiting to receive you. No one will be able to convince me otherwise today.”
According to the obituary, he is survived by his son Angelo Lawson-Smith.
