Madonna thanked her brother Anthony Ciccone for “blow [her] mind” as a girl in the euphoria of his death.
“Thank you for inspiring me as a girl and introducing me [jazz musicians] Charlie Parker [and] Miles Davis, the singer of “Vogue”, 64 years old, wrote on the Story of Instagram on Monday with a group photo that shows her late brother.
She continues to shout out some of the things her brother taught her, including Buddhism and Taoism, and writers Charles Bukowski, Richard Brautigan and Jack Kerouac.
“You have planted important seeds,” Madge concluded the tribute.
Page Six confirmed that Madonna’s older brother died on February 24 at the age of 66.
A source told us that Anthony’s relationship with his brothers was strained, because he suffered from alcoholism for many years.
“Many family members have a difficult relationship with him because of his illness,” the insider said.
“Madonna helped support her brother when he received this grant. In his last months, he was in contact with the family and Madonna, but this past week, he turned down the support offered to a rehabilitation facility, and it is clear that he is ready to move on.”
The cause of his death has not yet been revealed.
Singer Joe Henry, who is married to Madonna’s sister, Melanie Ciccone, was the first to announce the news in an emotional message on Instagram.
“My son-in-law, Anthony Gerard Ciccone, got off this plane last night. I’ve known him since I was 15 years old, during the summer of our life in Michigan many years ago now,” Henry, 62, posted a black-and-white photo of Anthony.
“Anthony is a complex person; and God knows: we tangled in time, as true brothers can. But I love it, and I understand it more than I’m sometimes willing to go on,” he said.
Henry notes that the family always “sits down – with hands on the table.”
“Welcome, brother Anthony. I like to think the goddess your blessed mother (and mine) believes in is there waiting to receive you. At least today, no one will separate me from this vision,” he said.
Madonna grew up in Michigan with her seven siblings, where her oldest brother is believed to have been living when he died.
Anthony was reportedly homeless for several years and lived under a bridge at one point.
It was reported in December 2017 that he completed a program at a rehabilitation facility and was reunited with his family; however, his relationship with Madonna remained strong.
Years ago, Anthony spoke out against the Queen of Pop and the rest of their family, accusing them of neglecting him.
“I am zero in their eyes – not a person. I am a disgrace. If I freeze to death, my family probably won’t know or care for six months,” he said in 2011.
“My father will be very happy if I die because of weakness, then he will not worry about it anymore. He’s old school, he grew up upset,” Anthony went on to say that he and Madonna “never loved each other.”
“In the beginning, I never loved her, she never loved me. We never loved each other,” he said of the “Hung Up” singer at the time.
It is unclear whether Anthony ever married or had any children.
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