Madonna's older brother Anthony Ciccone dies at the age of 66
Madonna's oldest brother Anthony Ciccone has died at the age of 66.
Joe Henry, who is married to the singer's sister Melanie Ciccone, announced the sad news on Instagram.
The musician wrote: "My brother-in-law, Anthony Gerard Ciccone, exited this earthly plane last evening.
"I’ve known him since I was 15, in the spring of our lives in Michigan so many years now gone.
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"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 sometimes willing to let on.
"But trouble fades; and family remains— with hands reached across the table.
"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."
Madonna is one of eight siblings who grew up in Michigan and her late brother was believed to have been living in the city at the time of his death.
Anthony had reportedly struggled with alcoholism, which led to tensions within the family.
“I’m a zero in their eyes – a non-person. I’m an embarrassment. If I froze to death, my family probably wouldn’t know or care about it for six months,” Anthony told the Daily Mail in 2011.
“My father would be very happy if I died of hypothermia, then he wouldn’t have to worry about it any more. He’s old school, he grew up in the depression.
Speaking about Madonna, he said: “I never loved her in the first place, she never loved me. We never loved each other.”
Explaining why he was homeless at the time, Anthony claimed: "No family back up, when the chips fell, no family back-up.
"I’d rather be working. What would you do under these circumstance when your family has stood against you completely?"
At the time, Anthony said he was living in temperatures as low as -10c.
"I’m a human being, you can call me what you want. [Alcoholic] is a label, I don’t like it. I don’t need brain surgery, I merely need love and care of family and friends."
UNILAD has contacted Madonna's representatives for comment.
Anish Vij