Madonna has paid a heartfelt tribute to her brother Christopher Ciccone, who passed away on Friday in Michigan after battling cancer. He was 63.
In an emotional Instagram post, the 66-year-old pop icon described Christopher as “the closest thing to me for so long.” Their bond, she explained, was forged through shared experiences and a deep understanding of their differences.
“Society was going to give us a hard time for not following the status quo,” Madonna wrote. “We took each other’s hands and we danced through the madness of our childhood… Dance was a kind of superglue that held us together.”
Christopher, a talented artist, interior designer, and tour director, played a significant role in Madonna’s early career, dancing in music videos like “Lucky Star.” He later became her creative director for numerous tours.
Madonna cherished their time together in New York City, where they “devoured art and music and film like hungry animals” and were “in the epicentre of all of these things exploding.” She praised Christopher’s impeccable taste, sharp wit, and artistic talents.
The siblings faced challenges, including a period of estrangement in the early 2000s, but ultimately reunited before Christopher’s passing. Madonna reflected on their reunion, saying, “When my brother got sick, we found our way back to each other… I did my best to keep him alive as long as possible.”
In his final moments, Madonna recalled, “Once again, we held hands, we closed our eyes, and we danced, together.” She found solace in knowing he’s no longer suffering, concluding, “There will never be anyone like him. I know he’s dancing somewhere.”
Christopher’s passing follows the recent loss of Madonna’s stepmother, Joan, who also died from cancer, and her older brother, Anthony, who passed away last year.
Christopher Ciccone’s legacy extends beyond his work with Madonna, having directed music videos for notable artists like Dolly Parton and Tony Bennett.
