A multifaceted artist with ties to one of pop music's biggest icons has passed away.
Christopher Ciccone, Madonna's younger brother and a talented artist and interior designer, died at the age of 63, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Ciccone, who had been battling cancer, passed away peacefully on Friday, surrounded by his husband Ray Thacker and other loved ones. Ciccone wore many hats throughout his career, including dancer, choreographer, and creative consultant. He played a significant role in supporting Madonna's early career, serving as her dresser and creative consultant.
His contributions extended to directing music videos and tours, most notably Madonna's The Girlie Show world tour in 1993 and the art direction for her 1990 Blond Ambition World Tour.
Ciccone's talents weren't limited to the music industry. After his work with Madonna, he transitioned into interior design, creating spaces for restaurants in major cities like New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. His design prowess extended to the corporate boxes for London's O2 arena and a luxury condo development in Miami Beach.
His furniture designs also gained recognition, with pieces created for Bernhardt Furniture being selected for use in President Bill Clinton's New York office. This versatility showcased Ciccone's ability to adapt his artistic vision across various mediums and spaces.
In addition to his design work, Ciccone ventured into writing, penning the 2008 bestseller "Life With My Sister Madonna." The book's release reportedly led to a falling-out between the siblings, though later interviews suggested they had reconciled to some extent.
The relationship between Christopher Ciccone and Madonna was often subject to public scrutiny. In his book, Ciccone claimed that Madonna had outed him as gay in a 1991 interview with The Advocate, and he accused her ex-husband Guy Ritchie of being homophobic.
Ciccone described a turning point in their relationship during the filming of Madonna's 1991 documentary "Truth or Dare." He expressed his disappointment when cameras were brought to their mother's grave, stating:
I kept it inside but I thought to myself, 'OK, there are no boundaries now.' You know, my mother's now become a side — a bit player in her life, life story, and it hurt me. And my opinion of her altered at that moment. I never said anything about it.
Despite the tensions, Ciccone indicated in later interviews that their relationship had improved. In 2012, he told CBS News, "Our relationship is fine as far as I'm concerned," and expressed pride in his sister's achievements to The Evening Standard.
Born on November 20, 1960, in Pontiac, Michigan, Christopher Gerard Ciccone was the fifth child of Madonna Louise and Silvio Patrick Ciccone. Raised in Rochester, Michigan, he studied dance and attended Western Michigan and Oakland universities before moving to New York City to pursue his artistic endeavors alongside Madonna.
In his later years, Ciccone returned to Michigan, maintaining connections with family members involved in his father's wine company, Ciccone Vineyards, in Suttons Bay. He married his husband, British actor Ray Thacker, in 2016.
Christopher Ciccone's passing marks the end of a creative life that intersected with one of pop culture's most influential figures. His contributions to music, design, and the arts leave a lasting legacy. Ciccone's story reflects the complexities of family relationships in the spotlight and the enduring power of artistic expression across various fields.
