By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-10-07 05:59:49 | Updated at 2024-10-07 08:22:25
2 hours ago
Madonna invited her terminally-ill younger brother to live at her Los Angeles home during his final months, in a touching gesture following 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 Los Angeles home.
A lifelong friend of Christopher's spoke with Dailymail.com about Ciccone's final months after he had mended fences 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 prior to his passing,' the source said.
The source noted that 'despite their tumultuous relationship over the years,' Madonna 'took care of him during his fight with cancer' and 'spared no expense in ensuring he had the best possible care and support.'
Madonna's late brother Christopher Ciccone, who died at 63 in Michigan on Friday, battled pancreatic cancer in his final months as he lived at his sister's LA home. Pictured in 2008 in LA
Madonna, 66, appeared to put her past issues with her sibling to rest in his later years. Pictured in LA last year
Amid issues throughout the years, the siblings grew closer in the wake of their death of their older brother Anthony Ciccone from throat cancer in February 2023.
'Their relationship had seen its share of ups and downs,' said the source, 'but after the death of their brother Anthony, they grew very close.
'Anthony's passing marked a pivotal moment for the entire family, bringing them together in a way they hadn't been in years. In those final months, Madonna and Christopher were so close.'
Madonna and her 'entire family' are heartbroken over Christopher's passing, 'They are glad he is no longer in pain,' the source said, noting that Christopher 'put up a good fight' amid the health crisis.
Ciccone's 'health had been in a steady decline since the previous summer, and as time passed, 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 toward the end, and though it was incredibly difficult, Christopher had reached a point where he was ready to let go,' said the source.
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 came with being part of such an iconic family, he carved out his own path in life.'
Ciccone had past opened up about his issues getting along with his sibling in his 2008 memoir Life with My Sister Madonna. Pictured in LA in 2008
The singer and her sibling were pictured at the Oscars in 1998 in LA
Ciccone, who had explored the fields of dance, design and art over the years, the latter becoming a refuge in his later days.
'During the last year of his life, he found solace and comfort in painting,' the source said. 'It helped him through the darkness.'
Madonna had employed her brother in multiple creative capacities until they fell out in 2001 after she hired someone else to be the director for her world tour, according to the Mirror.
Ciccone had past opened up about his issues getting along with his sibling in his 2008 memoir Life with My Sister Madonna.
He said that at one point after a row about decorating, he sent her a fax in which he laid bare his resentments of her behavior toward him.
'I gave up my life to help make you the evil queen you are today,' he said. 'Fifteen years listening to your b****ing, egotistical rantings, mediocre talent and a lack of taste that would stun the ages. You have lost all sense of reality ... a little respect was all I ever wanted from you, and you couldn't even manage that.'
Madonna took to Instagram Sunday with multiple images of her sibling, and reflecting on their relationship.
'He was the closest human to me for so long,' Madonna said. 'Its hard to explain our bond.
Madonna and brother Christopher Ciccone pictured in 1991
'But it grew out of an understanding that we were different and society was going to give us a hard time for not following the status quo. We took each other's hands and we danced through the madness of our childhood.'
She acknowledges their years of dissension, saying, 'We did not speak for sometime but ... when my brother got sick ... we found our way back to each other.'
Madonna said that 'the last few years have not been easy' and she did her 'best to keep him alive as long as possible.'
She added, 'Once again, we held hands We closed our eyes and we danced. Together. I’m glad he’s not suffering anymore. There will never be anyone like him. I know he’s dancing somewhere.'
