‘My brother-in-law, Anthony Gerard Ciccone, exited this earthly plane last evening,’ said Joe Henry, Madonna’s sister Melanie Ciccone’s husband. I’ve known him since I was 15 years old, back in the spring of our lives in Michigan, so many years ago.’
Madonna and her five siblings were raised in the Detroit suburbs by Catholic parents. Anthony, Madonna’s older brother, was born in 1954, two years before Madonna.
He stayed in Michigan, working for their father on and off until he succumbed to alcoholism and homelessness, while she moved to New York in 1978 to study dance and begin a hugely successful career.
‘Anthony was a complicated figure, and God knows we tangled in moments, as true brothers might. But I loved him and understood him better than I was willing to admit at times,’ he added.
‘Yet the conflict fades, and family stays – with hands reaching across the table. So, brother Anthony, farewell. I’d like to believe that the god your blessed mother (and mine) believed in has her waiting for you. ‘At least for today, no one shall discourage me from this vision,’ Ciccone said.
Madonna’s family stated in 2017 that they will reconcile with Anthony, who had been banished and had been living on the streets for some time.
This occurred after he openly theorized for numerous years that his loved ones had abandoned him. ‘I’m a zero in their eyes; a non-person, an embarrassment,’ he told the Daily Mail in 2011.
‘If I died from frostbite, my family would probably not know or care for six months.’
Ciccone stated that he and another homeless man named Michael were sleeping under a bridge in Michigan with nothing but a sleeping bag for company at the time.
Ciccone has been living on the streets of Traverse City since losing his job at his father’s vineyard and winery six miles away, he claimed.
Anthony’s parents operate a vineyard about 20 miles north of Traverse City’s Union St. bridge, where he used to sleep on the streets.
‘My family effectively turned their back on me while I was having a rough time,’ he explained. ‘Do you think I haven’t answered this question a trillion times: why is my sister a multi-billionaire and I’m homeless on the street? Never, ever say never. Anyone could be affected by this.’
He was enraged that people could find it amusing that the celebrity’s brother was forced to live in such poverty. He was adamant at the moment that he would not accept any of her money.
‘I’m not looking for a handout because of my sister,’ he explained. ‘I’m not searching for attention.’ He instead relies on the charity of local churches’ soup kitchens for food.
Ciccone stated that he formerly worked in the Alaska fishing industry and as a photographer’s assistant in New York, but that he currently makes a living by performing odd jobs and sorting through people’s trash cans for recyclables.
Madonna was aware of his situation and offered to pay for his treatment on multiple occasions. His father also promised to reinstate him to his work if he sought professional counselling.
He was more receptive to it today, although he wasn’t always. He has previously stated, ‘My family seems to think rehab is some kind of magical solution for life’s issues.’
Cicconi’s life appeared to be turning around after he entered into a recovery program and returned to his family in 2017.
‘Anthony liked it at Dann’s House for quite a while, and made substantial advances in his life while he was with us,’ said Dann’s House co-founder Karen McCarthy of Anthony’s stay.
‘Dann’s Home provides excellent work with vulnerable people. We’ve seen fantastic, positive results.’
