Madonna invited her terminally ill younger brother to live at her Los Angeles home during his final months, in a touching gesture after years of public tension, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal.
Christopher Ciccone died at the age of 63 in Michigan on Friday after staying at his superstar sister’s home in Los Angeles.
A longtime friend of Christopher’s spoke to Dailymail.com about Ciccone’s final months after mending relations with the Vogue artist, 66, after years of discord.
“Christopher had pancreatic cancer and had been living at Madonna’s house in Los Angeles for over a year before his passing,” the source said.
The source noted that “despite their tumultuous relationship over the years,” Madonna “cared for him during his fight with cancer” and “spared no expense to ensure he received the best possible care and support.”
Madonna’s late brother Christopher Ciccone, who died at age 63 in Michigan on Friday, battled pancreatic cancer in his final months while living at his sister’s home in Los Angeles. Photographed in 2008 in Los Angeles.
Madonna, 66, appeared to put aside her past issues with her brother in her later years. Photographed in Los Angeles last year.
Amid problems over the years, the brothers became closer following the death of their older brother, Anthony Ciccone, from throat cancer in February 2023.
“Their relationship had been up and down,” the source said, “but after his brother Anthony died, they became very close.”
‘Anthony’s passing marked a pivotal moment for the entire family, bringing them together like they hadn’t in years. In those final months, Madonna and Christopher were very close.
Madonna and “her entire family” are heartbroken by Christopher’s passing. “They’re glad he’s no longer in pain,” the source said, noting that Christopher “put up a good fight” amid the health crisis.
Ciccone’s “health had steadily worsened since the previous summer, and as time went on, his condition worsened,” the source said.
Ciccone had reluctantly accepted his fate as his physical health continued to deteriorate, the source said.
“The pain became unbearable towards the end and although it was incredibly difficult, Christopher had reached a point where he was ready to let it go,” the source said.
The source added that Ciccone “had always been deeply proud to be Madonna’s brother, and everyone around him knew it… but despite the fame that comes with being part of such an iconic family, he carved out his own path in life.”
Ciccone had previously spoken openly about her problems getting along with her brother in her 2008 memoir Life with My Sister Madonna. Photographed in Los Angeles in 2008.
The singer and her brother were photographed at the 1998 Oscars in Los Angeles.
Ciccone, who had explored the fields of dance, design and art over the years, the latter becoming a refuge in his final days.
“During the last year of his life, he found comfort and solace in painting,” the source said. “It helped him through the darkness.”
Madonna had employed her brother in multiple creative capacities until they split in 2001, after she hired someone else to be director of her world tour, according to the Mirror.
Ciccone had already spoken openly about his problems getting along with his brother in his 2008 memoir. Life with my sister Madonna.
He said that at one point, after a fight over the decor, he sent her a fax laying bare his resentments about her behavior toward him.
“I gave my life to help you become the evil queen you are today,” he said. ‘Fifteen years of listening to your whores, selfish rantings, mediocre talent and a lack of taste that would stun the ages. You’ve lost all sense of reality… a little respect was all I ever wanted from you, and you couldn’t even get it.
Madonna took to Instagram on Sunday with multiple images of her brother and reflecting on their relationship.
“He was the closest human being to me for a long time,” Madonna said. ‘It’s hard to explain our bond.
Madonna and her brother Christopher Ciccone photographed in 1991
‘But it came from the realization that we were different and that society was going to give us a hard time for not following the status quo. We held hands and danced through the madness of our childhood.
She acknowledges their years of dissension and says, “We didn’t speak for some time, but… when my brother got sick… we found our way back to each other.”
Madonna said that “the last few years haven’t been easy” and did “the best she could to keep him alive as long as possible.”
He added: “Once again, we hold hands, close our eyes and dance.” Together. I’m glad you’re not suffering anymore. There will never be anyone like him. I know he’s dancing somewhere.