Madonna and Brother Christopher Ciccone Close Relationship, Estrangement

Madonna and his sister Christopher Ciccone had a relationship full of ups and downs, with Christopher going from his collaborator to a long-standing family member for decades until his death in 2024.

Christopher’s family confirmed to Us Weekly that the dancer, author and interior designer has died of cancer on Saturday, October 4, in Michigan surrounded by family, including his wife, Ray Thacker. He is 63 years old. Christopher is one of Madonna’s five brothers, who also include siblings Anthonywho died in 2023, and Martinand brothers Paula and Melanie. (She also has two half-siblings, Jennifer and Mario.)

After following her to New York City in the 1980s, Christopher worked for her sister as a backup dancer, dresser and, eventually, her tour director. The Girlie Show in 1993. However, Madonna’s rise to fame ultimately destroyed the relationship, creating distance and anger. In a 2008 interview with Good morning AmericaChristopher revealed that before he and Madonna “were very close brothers,” and said that they felt “like we were married”.

Madonna mourned her brother’s death via Instagram, calling Christopher “the closest person to me for a long time,” in a tribute. “It’s hard to explain our bond,” she wrote. “But it grew out of the understanding that we are different and society will give us a hard time for not following the status quo.”

Keep scrolling to read all about Madonna and Christopher’s ups and downs throughout the year:

1980s

Christopher was heavily involved in the early years of his sister’s career as a dancer, dresser and creative consultant. He shared in his memoirs, Live With My Sister Madonnathat she moved to New York City in the 1980s as a backup dancer, even appearing in the music video for the single “Lucky Star” in 1984.

In an interview with The GuardianChristopher confided that, at times, he found working for his brother to be “below” him after developing his own career in New York as an artist. “I did it because he needed me, but it made him angry,” he said at the time. “Not many people can handle his stuff.”

1990 – 2001

In 1990, Christopher became the art director for Madonna Blonde Ambition World Tourreturned in 1993 as her tour director for The Girlie Show. However, the singer “Like a Virgin” looks outside the family to The World Tour is sinking in 2001, hired a choreographer Jamie King as a director instead. It was around that time that Madonna got married Guy Ritchie, which Christopher claims further strained his relationship with the pop star. (Madonna and Ritchie split in 2008.)

1991

Christopher cites a 1991 documentary Madonna: Truth or Dare as a problem between him and his sister, though he had not been brought up to him when the film was made.

“At one point, if you’ve seen it Truth or Dare movie, when he was playing around my mother’s grave – that was a turning point for my relationship with her,” said Christopher. Good morning America in 2008. Madonna and Christopher’s mother — also named Madonna — died of breast cancer in 1963.

“I kept it inside but I thought, ‘Okay, now there’s no limit.’ You know, my mom is now on the sidelines – being a minor player in her life, her life story, and I’m sick,” he said. “My opinion of him had changed by then. I never said anything about it.”

2008

Christopher released his autobiography to all the details of his relationship with the pop icon, who became a New York Times best seller and led to speculation that he and Madonna were not on good terms.

Representation of Madonna Liz Rosenberg toward AP while he has not read the book, but finds it “very upsetting” that Christopher has “decided to sell a book based on his sister.” Four years later, Christopher doubled down in an interview with CBS News, saying he doesn’t “regret” writing the book.

“It gives people the opportunity to think of me as a creative person, as an artist and not just as Madonna’s brother, which is a tag that I will wear forever,” said Christopher in 2012. “But I hope that at some point Christopher will First Ciccone. Cool… I’m so happy to be me.”

2012

In an interview with The Standard, Christopher revealed that his relationship with Madonna is at a “very good level right now,” adding, “As far as I’m concerned, we’re good.” He said, “We are friends, even though we haven’t seen each other for a long time. We are back to being brothers. I don’t work for them, and it’s better this way.

2023

The eldest brother of Christopher and Madonna, Anthony Ciconedied of respiratory failure and throat cancer. He is 66 years old.

2024

Madonna mourned Christopher’s death via Instagram on October 6, sharing a series of photos of the two brothers throughout the year.

“The past few years have not been easy,” she wrote in a long and heartfelt caption. “We didn’t speak for a while but when my brother was sick. We found a way back to each other. I did my best to keep him alive as much as possible. He was very sick until the end. He concluded, “I’m glad he doesn’t suffer anymore . There will never be another like him. I know he’s dancing somewhere.”