Christopher Ciccone, a versatile artist, designer, and the younger brother of pop superstar Madonna, has passed away at the age of 63. Ciccone, who had been battling cancer, died on October 4, surrounded by his husband, Ray Thacker, and loved ones. His death was confirmed by his representative, Brad Taylor.
Born on November 22, 1960, in Pontiac, Michigan, Christopher Ciccone began his career as a dancer and choreographer. He became an essential part of his sister Madonna’s early career, working as her backup dancer and eventually taking on the roles of art director and creative consultant for her tours. Christopher Ciccone was the art director for Madonna’s Blond Ambition World Tour in 1990 and directed her The Girlie Show in 1993. His talents also extended beyond his sister’s work, directing music videos for artists like Dolly Parton and Tony Bennett.
In addition to his work in entertainment, Christopher Ciccone made a name for himself in interior design. He designed luxury spaces in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles, as well as corporate suites at London’s O2 Arena. His furniture designs even found a place in President Bill Clinton’s New York office. Christopher Ciccone’s creativity also led him to the fashion world, where he launched his own shoe line, The Ciccone Collection, at London Fashion Week in 2012.
Christopher Ciccone’s personal life was marked by his publicized estrangement from Madonna, following the release of his 2008 memoir, Life With My Sister Madonna. The book revealed intimate details of their relationship, including his claim that Madonna had “outed” him as gay in a 1991 interview. Despite this, by 2012, Christopher Ciccone shared that the siblings had reconciled, stating that their relationship had returned to a place of mutual respect and familial bond.
In his later years, Christopher Ciccone returned to Michigan, where he reconnected with his family and worked alongside them in their winemaking business, Ciccone Vineyards. He married British actor Ray Thacker in 2016, with whom he shared his final years.
Christopher Ciccone’s legacy is one of creative versatility, with contributions in the fields of dance, design, art direction, and fashion. He is survived by his husband, Ray Thacker, his siblings Madonna, Martin, Paula, Melanie, Jennifer, and Mario, and numerous extended family members. His death follows the recent loss of his stepmother Joan Clare Ciccone and older brother Anthony.
Christopher Ciccone will be remembered for his artistic contributions and his complex yet influential relationship with one of the world’s biggest pop stars.
