Madonna has broken her silence following her brother Anthony Ciccone’s death aged 66.
On Monday, the Ray of Light singer took to Instagram Stories to pay tribute to her sibling and posted a black and white snap of the pair surrounded by friends.
Alongside the picture, she shared her gratitude for him enlightening her about the world: "Thank you for blowing my mind as a young girl and introducing me to Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Buddhism, Taoism, Charles Bukowski, Richard Brautigan, Jack Kerouac, expansive thinking, outside the box.
“You planted many important seeds,” she added, along with a red heart emoji.
Anthony had been living on the streets of Michigan for many years while struggling with alcoholism.
Musician Joe Henry, who is married to Madonna’s sister Melanie Ciccone, announced the sad news of his passing on Sunday on Instagram.
Sharing an old picture, Henry wrote: “My brother-in-law, Anthony Gerard Ciccone, exited this earthly plane last evening. 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. 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."
His cause of death has not been revealed.
Madonna, who was born in Michigan to Catholic parents, grew up in the suburbs of Detroit with five siblings.
Anthony was the eldest and, while Madonna moved to New York in 1978 to pursue a career in dance, her brother remained in their hometown.
