'A real Renaissance Man'
Madonna’s older brother Anthony Ciccone has died. He was 66.
Ciccone, who was one of the Vogue singer’s seven siblings, is said to have died on Friday night, according to his brother-in-law, singer Joe Henry who is married to Madonna’s sister Melanie Ciccone
Henry announced the news on Instagram, writing: "My brother-in-law, Anthony Gerard Ciccone, exited this earthly plane last evening."
His tribute continued: "I’ve known him since I was 15, in the spring of our lives in Michigan so many years now gone.
"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."
Henry continued: "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."
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Madonna has not commented on her brother's passing.
Those who knew Ciccone over the years paid tribute to him in the comments section.
One friend wrote: "I have some really fond memories of him growing up. We bonded over our love of Calvin and Hobbes. I’ll be thinking about him and the Ciccones tonight."
Another wrote to Henry: "I’m sorry Joe – and to Mel I send the warmest embrace. Remembering too our conversation at that little taverna on Patmos. Family love runs deep and never fades."
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Goodfellas actress Debi Mazar wrote a lengthy tribute, remembering the "fond memories of time spent with Anthony back in the late 80’s"
"A real Renaissance Man. Full of prose, lover of literature, his Italian Heritage, good wine & cooking. He would drive his 1960’s Cadillac over to my Brooklyn apartment in a snow storm, bring a pot of his freshly prepared Ragu, and all the fixin’s, and we would cook & laugh and talk all night."
Madonna grew up with Ciccone and their six other siblings; Martin, Paula, Melanie, Christopher, Jennifer and Mario.
He was the eldest child of the singer’s parents, Tony and Madonna Ciccone.
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