Current:Home > InvestJohnathan Walker:Madonna’s Brother Christopher Ciccone Dead at 63 -GrowthInsight
Johnathan Walker:Madonna’s Brother Christopher Ciccone Dead at 63
Benjamin Ashford View
Date:2025-04-09 19:37:34
Madonna's extended family is Johnathan Walkerin mourning.
The pop queen's younger brother Christopher Ciccone, one of her seven siblings, has died. He was 63.
The artist and interior designer died of cancer Oct. 4, his rep told People in a statement, adding that he passed away "peacefully" with husband Ray Thacker by his side.
E! News has reached out to Christopher's rep for comment and has not heard back.
In addition to his partner and his sister Madonna, Christopher is also survived by siblings Martin Ciccone, Paula Ciccone, Melanie Ciccone, Jennifer Ciccone and Mario Ciccone, as well as father Silvio "Tony" Ciccone.
Christopher was preceded in death by oldest brother Anthony Ciccone, who died in 2023 at age 66 of respiratory failure and throat cancer, mother Madonna Ciccone, who passed away from breast cancer in 1963 at 30, and stepmother Joan Ciccone, who died at age 81 Sept. 24, also after a cancer battle.
Madonna, 66, has not publicly commented on Christopher's death, which comes 16 years after the two had a falling out over his tell-all autobiography Life With My Sister Madonna.
At the time of its 2008 release, Madonna's rep had told the Associated Press that while the "Vogue" singer had not read the book but found it "very upsetting" that Christopher "decided to sell a book based on his sister."
"She probably thinks of it as a desperate attempt for attention and money," Christopher told the Guardian in an interview published in January 2009. "And, ultimately, a betrayal. I think of it as a thesaurus—it's different ways of defining people and myself—and also as another piece of art."
In his memoir, Christopher wrote that he had hoped the book would help him define himself and separate from Madonna "at last." However, he added, "After getting some perspective on our story, I finally understand and accept that one aspect of my life will never change: I was born my mother's son, but I will die my sister's brother."
Christopher and his siblings were raised in Michigan. He worked with Madonna in the earlier years of her career as her dresser and a director of her Blond Ambition and Girlie Show tours in the '90s, spearheaded the interior decoration of her houses and also occasionally lived with her, the Guardian reported.
In the statement to People, his rep said that following Christopher's "symbiotic collaboration" with Madonna, he "continued to work: as an interior specialist; a designer of footwear; a memoirist—all the while dedicating himself to painting as his primary mode of personal expression."
In 2012, Christopher shared an optimistic update about his ties with Madonna.
"It's been a bumpy road back to a decent relationship between us, and we've gotten there," he told Hollywood Life in an on-camera interview, "It's a brother and sister thing now, which is great, which is where it needed to go."
He continued, "After working together for 25 years, it was time to sort of get out of that world, for me anyway, and then figure out and work on other things. But it'll always be a part of my life and I don't regret any of that stuff."
Christopher said he felt "great" about writing his book. "It was something that I needed to do for myself," he said, "just so I didn't go crazy trying to crawl out from under that big shadow."
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (61588)
Related
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- Judge’s Ruling to Halt Fracking Regs Could Pose a Broader Threat to Federal Oversight
- With one dose, new drug may cure sleeping sickness. Could it also wipe it out?
- This $28 Jumpsuit Has 3,300+ 5-Star Amazon Reviews and It’s Available in Sizes Ranging From Small to 4X
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- Prince Harry Receives Apology From Tabloid Publisher Amid Hacking Trial
- InsideClimate News to Host 2019 Investigative Journalism Fellow
- Enbridge’s Kalamazoo Spill Saga Ends in $177 Million Settlement
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- Bone-appétit: Some NYC dining establishments cater to both dogs and their owners
Ranking
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- Colorado Fracking Study Blames Faulty Wells for Water Contamination
- Heat Wave Safety: 130 Groups Call for Protections for Farm, Construction Workers
- Who is Walt Nauta — and why was the Trump aide also indicted in the documents case?
- Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
- How one artist took on the Sacklers and shook their reputation in the art world
- The Paris Climate Problem: A Dangerous Lack of Urgency
- Matthew McConaughey's Son Livingston Looks All Grown Up Meeting NBA Star Draymond Green
Recommendation
Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
Trump’s Science Adviser Pick: Extreme Weather Expert With Climate Credentials
Kate Spade 24-Hour Flash Deal: Get This $360 Tote Bag for Just $79
Increased Asthma Attacks Tied to Exposure to Natural Gas Production
A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
Beyoncé's Renaissance Tour Style Deserves 10s, 10s, 10s Across the Board
How Medicare Advantage plans dodged auditors and overcharged taxpayers by millions
Today’s Climate: September 2, 2010