Madonna Mourns Brother Christopher Ciccone’s Death at 63

In the earlier years of the Grammy winner’s music career, Christopher worked as her backup dancer, assistant, dresser, decorator and creative director on her tours.

“When it came to good taste, my brother was the Pope, and you had to kiss the ring to get his blessing. We defied the Roman Catholic Church, The Police, the Moral Majority and all Authority figures that got in the way of Artistic freedom!” said Madonna, whose 1989 “Like a Prayer” video was condemned by the Vatican for its religious imagery. “My brother was right by my side.”

In more recent years, Christopher had worked as an artist, footwear designer and interior specialist.

“He was a painter a poet and a visionary,” Madonna wrote. “I admired him. He had impeccable taste. And a sharp tongue, Which he sometimes used against me but I always forgave him. We soared the highest heights together. And floundered in the lowest lows. Somehow, we always found each other again and We held hands and we kept dancing.”