Christopher Ciccone, the brother of Madonna and a longtime dancer, stylist, and artistic director for the pop icon, passed away on October 4, 2024, at the age of 64 after battling cancer.
On October 6, a representative of Christopher Ciccone confirmed his death, which occurred two days earlier. Born in 1960, Christopher Ciccone was two years younger than his famous sister, and they grew up together in Michigan, where they both learned to dance and sing before moving to New York in 1982 to pursue their careers.
Christopher Ciccone was a key figure in Madonna’s early career, working as her dancer, artistic director, stylist, and personal assistant. He appeared in the video for “Lucky Star” (1984) and performed in Madonna’s early television performances. He also designed the iconic “Like A Prayer” single cover and served as artistic director for Madonna’s Blond Ambition Tour (1990) and The Girlie Show Tour (1993).
The relationship between Madonna and Christopher Ciccone became strained after Madonna’s marriage to Guy Ritchie, as Ritchie had different views on gender than Ciccone. The tension worsened when Madonna hired different choreographers for her Drowned World Tour (2001) without informing Ciccone.
In 2003, Madonna fired Christopher Ciccone from his role as her artistic director. In 2008, Ciccone released his memoir, Life With My Sister Madonna, where he revealed the difficulties of their relationship. He claimed that Madonna paid him poorly and that she was exhausted from his repeated stays in rehab.
However, the two reconciled in 2012 and maintained a healthier relationship once they stopped working together. Christopher Ciccone referred to Madonna as a “legend” in an interview with the Evening Standard.
Beyond his role as Madonna’s brother, Christopher Ciccone worked with other famous artists such as Dolly Parton and Tony Bennett, directing their music videos like “Peace Train” and “God Bless the Child.” He was also a renowned interior designer, with Madonna’s Upper West Side apartment in Manhattan featured on the cover of Architectural Digest in 1991. Ciccone also had his own art exhibits and a shoe line.
Christopher Ciccone was openly gay and had a close bond with his sister throughout their lives.
