More than a month after Madonna’s oldest brother Anthony Ciccone went to meet the angels, the cause of his death has been revealed.
The Queen of Pop needs little introduction, given her status as a cultural icon. The 64-year-old is widely recognized for changing the music industry with her aesthetics and chart-topping songs.
However, being one of the most excellent musicians in the world did not spare the entertainer from life’s hardships. The Michigan native lost her brother in February, a shocking death caused by several problems.
Madonna’s Brother Died From A Combination Of Health Issues
According to the death certificate obtained by TMZ, the “La Isla Bonita” singer’s brother died from the impact of different health problems. These issues included oropharyngeal cancer, a disease commonly caused by smoking.
In Anthony’s case, tobacco use was listed as contributing to his death. However, the songstress’s sibling’s demise was caused by respiratory failure and throat cancer.
The deceased passed away at age 66 while receiving treatment at a Michigan nursing facility in February. According to the news outlet, the 24-time ASCAP Pop Award honoree paid for her brother’s hospital bill during his time there.
The entertainer’s actions proved that the 64-year-old had a forgiving heart, as she did not have the best relationship with Anthony. Her brother had previously gone on record to slam the media personality alongside the rest of their family.
However, in his final moments, the 7-time Grammy winner let bygones be bygones and stood by her beloved brothers. Two days before he died, the older sibling reportedly took drastic measures.
Anthony requested for his feeding/breathing tubes to be removed despite understanding the severity of his condition and the consequences this action would have on his health. Additionally, the death certificate held Madonna’s name. However, the woman in the document was not the showstopper but her mother, who bore the same moniker.
As for the deceased’s last rites, the file revealed that the “Like a Virgin” artist’s brother was cremated after his passing. The late Anthony did not have an easy life, allegedly battling alcoholism and homelessness before his death.
Following his passing, Madonna paid tribute to her older sibling in an emotional post. Per The Blast, the mother-of-six took to her Instagram Story with a throwback post of her younger self at a party with her late brother. In the black-and-white image, the “Who’s That Girl” star drew an arrow to help fans identify Anthony from the crowd.
Below the photo came the TV personality’s poignant message, highlighting her adoration for the deceased. “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,” the Michigan native penned. “You planted many important seeds.”
Before the “Hung Up” songstress shared her sweet dedication to Anthony, her brother-in-law, Joe Henry, announced the tragic news on his Instagram page. The husband to Madonna’s sister Melanie shared a black-and-white picture of the deceased alongside the unfortunate update.
In the lengthy caption, Henry discussed his longtime relationship with the deceased. The “Shanghai Surprise” actress’s brother-in-law noted that he had known Anthony since he was 15 and described him as a “complex character” that would be sorely missed.
The Brit Award Winner Showed Her Support For The Trans Community With More Tour Dates
The news about the cause of Anthony’s death comes after the “Into The Groove” singer showed support for the LGBTQ+ community amid the ongoing anti-drag and anti-trans bills in some states in the U.S. The pop cultural icon expressed her love for the minority group by adding a sweet deal to her “Celebration” tour.
Madonna announced that she would stop in Nashville, Tennessee, along with seven other cities during her upcoming concerts. The tour will kick off in July and shall start in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The “Express Yourself” singer explained that she included these areas in her list of stops because the “oppression of the LGBTQ+” was not “inhumane and unacceptable.” According to the Michigan native, the abuse created a toxic environment for community members.
Additionally, the chart-topper noted that America was unsafe for most citizens and significantly affected “trans women of color.” Madonna stated that the bills signed by Republican Governor Bill Lee of Tennessee were unnecessary as they sowed conflict.
