Artist, interior designer and ‘s brother, Christopher Ciccone, died Friday, Oct. 4, at the age of 63, has learned. Ciccone had been battling cancer and died “peacefully,” according to a family statement sent to from Ciccone’s rep, which added that he died “surrounded by” his husband Ray Thacker and “loved ones.
” Ciccone, who got his start as a dancer and choreographer, used his talents to support Madonna’s emerging career, becoming dresser and creative consultant to his superstar sister. He also directed music vidoes and tours, including Madonna’s The Girlie Show world tour in 1993. And he was the art director for her 1990 Blond Ambition world tour.
He went on to work as an interior, footwear and furniture designer and artist. He also wrote the 2008 best-selling book , which led to reports that the siblings had had a falling out. Ciccone claimed Madonna outed him in a 1991 interview with , where she identified him as “gay,” and he accused Madonna’s ex-husband Guy Ritchie of being homophobic.
And he said the “turning point” in the siblings’ relationship was when she brought cameras to their mother’s grave for her documentary . “I kept it inside but I thought to myself, ‘OK, there are no boundaries now.’ You know, my mother’s now become a side — a bit player in her life, life story, and it hurt me,” he told in 2008.
And my, my opinion of her altered at that moment. I never said anything about it.” He added, “I think, ultimately,.