Madonna visited her brother Anthony Ciccone shortly before his death earlier this month, according to a new report.
An insider said that the singer, 64, and her family had a “complicated relationship” with the 66-year-old due to his battle with addiction but supported him in his final moments.
A source told People: “They were all there for him and despite being estranged, Madonna supported him in every way she could when he was willing to take the support.
“Family members including Madonna visited him while in his rehab facility as he declined these past few months.”
Madonna was born in Michigan to Catholic parents, Madonna Louise and Silvio Anthony ‘Tony’ Ciccone, and grew up in the suburbs of Detroit with her full siblings.
After her mother’s passing from breast cancer, her father Tony married Joan Gustafson and they had two kids together, Madonna’s youngest siblings, Mario and Jennifer.
Anthony was the eldest and, while Madonna moved to New York in 1978 to pursue a career in dance, he remained in their hometown.
The report comes after Madonna broke her silence on Monday following her brother’s death.
The Ray of Light singer took to Instagram Stories at the time 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.
