The cause of death of Madonna’s oldest brother – Anthony Ciccone – has been confirmed.
The 66-year-old passed away in February and it has been revealed that he died from a combination of respiratory failure and throat cancer, according to reports.
It is believed that Anthony was cremated and that his death certificate indicated that smoking may have contributed to his passing.
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Madonna, 64, was said to be funding his treatment at a Michigan nursing home when he died, after having his breathing and feeding tubes removed.
Just a day after the news of Anthony’s death broke, Madonna spoke out about her brother, sharing that he “blew her mind” with his wisdom and that he introduced her to all different types of music, philosophy and religion.
(Image: SplashNews.com)
She posted a nostalgic picture of her, Anthony and a group of pals sitting around a table with the caption: “Thank you for blowing my mind as a young girl and introducing me to Charlie Parker, Miles David, Buddhism, Taoism, Charles Bukowski, Richard Brautigan, Jack Kerouac, expansive thinking outing the box.
“You planted many important seeds.”
The image appears to have been taken in the Nineties, during Madonna’s platinum blonde “Marilyn” era.
(Image: Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images)
A source told Page Six that most people in the daily had a “difficult relationship” with Anthony due to his “disease with alcohol”.
“Madonna helped to support her brother when he would accept that support.
(Image: Instagram)
“During his final months, he was in contact with family and Madonna, but this past week, he refused the support the rehab facility offered, and it was clear he was ready to move on,” the insider added.
Madonna’s brother-in-law, musician Joe Henry, said that he knew Anthony in “the spring of our lives” and despite being a “complex character” who he “tangled with”, Joe said: “Trouble fades, family remains – with hands reached across the table.”
(Image: SplashNews.com)
“Farewell, then, brother Anthony. I want to think the god your blessed mother (and mine) believed in has her there, waiting to receive you.”
Madonna and her five siblings – two older brothers and a younger brother and two younger sisters – all grew up in Michigan. She also has two half-siblings from her father’s second marriage.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
