By Claudia Aorha, Senior Reporter, Dailymail.Com
14:50 26 February 2023, updated 15:14 26 February 2023
- Millionaire singer’s brother who was battling alcohol addiction has died
- Joe Henry, who married Madonna’s sister Melanie, announced the news
Anthony Ciccone, Madonna’s eldest brother, has died at the age of 66.
The singer’s brother had been living on the streets of Michigan for many years, battling alcohol addiction.
In a statement, Joe Henry, who is the husband of Madonna’s sister Melanie Ciccone, wrote: ‘My brother-in-law, Anthony Gerard Ciccone, passed away from this earthly plane last evening. I’ve known him since I was 15, so many years have passed since the spring of our life in Michigan.’
Madonna, who was born in Michigan to Catholic parents, grew up in the suburbs of Detroit with five siblings, the eldest of whom was Anthony.
When she moved to New York in 1978 to pursue dancing, her eldest brother remained in Michigan and became a victim of alcoholism and homelessness.
‘Anthony was a complex character; And god knows: we tangled in the moments, as true brothers can. But I loved her, and understood her better, than I was sometimes willing to let go,’ he said.
‘But trouble goes away; And the remains of the family – with hands reached across the table. Farewell, then, Brother Anthony. I want to think that the God your blessed mother (and mine) believed in is out there, waiting to receive you. For today at least, no one will distract me from this view,’ Ciccone concluded his note.