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Christopher Ciccone, the younger brother of pop icon Madonna and an artist in his own right, passed away on October 4 at the age of 63. His representative confirmed that Ciccone, who had been battling cancer, died peacefully, surrounded by his husband Ray Thacker and other family members.

Born in Pontiac, Michigan on November 22, 1960, Christopher Ciccone grew up in a large family as one of eight siblings. His close bond with his sister Madonna led him to move to New York in the early 1980s to help support her rising stardom. Initially working as a backup dancer in her Lucky Star music video, Ciccone would go on to play a crucial behind-the-scenes role as her creative consultant, art director, and dresser. He helped shape some of her most iconic works, including the artworks for Like a Prayer and the 1990 Blond Ambition World Tour.

Ciccone’s personal life often drew media attention, particularly his complex relationship with Madonna. In 2008, his memoir Life with My Sister Madonna chronicled their ups and downs, leading to a public rift. Liz Rosenberg, Madonna’s longtime PR representative, told the Associated Press at the time that although the Queen of Pop hadn’t read the memoir, she found it “very upsetting” that Christopher had “decided to sell a book based on his sister.”

However, by 2012, Ciccone revealed they had mended their relationship. He said to The Evening Standard in an interview:

“As far as I’m concerned, we’re good. We are in contact with each other, although I haven’t seen her for a long time. We’re back to being a brother and sister. I don’t work for her, and it’s better this way.”

He added, “I couldn’t be more proud of her. She is a force to be reckoned with.”

In a heartfelt tribute, Madonna reflected on her relationship with her brother Christopher and what they went through during his final days. She called him “the closest human to me for so long.”

She spoke about the deep connection they shared, saying, “It’s hard to explain our bond. But it grew out of an understanding that we were different and society was going to give us a hard time for not following the status quo.” Despite the challenges they faced, Madonna remembered how they found solace in each other, “We took each other’s hands and we danced through the madness of our childhood,” navigating their struggles together with a resilience forged from their shared experiences.

Reflecting on the final chapter of her relationship with her brother Christopher, Madonna shared, “The last few years have not been easy. We did not speak for some time, but when my brother got sick, we found our way back to each other. I did my best to keep him alive as long as possible,” and recalled their final moments together, “Once again, we held hands. We closed our eyes and we danced. Together.” Ending on a bittersweet note, she shared, “I’m glad he’s not suffering anymore. There will never be anyone like him. I know he’s dancing somewhere.”

Ciccone is survived by his husband, Ray, as well as his siblings, including Madonna, and his father, Silvio Ciccone. His passing comes just days after the death of his stepmother, Joan Clare Ciccone, on September 24. Read this news in full here.

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