Getty ImagesMadonna has paid tribute to her brother Christopher Ciccone, who has died aged 63, describing him as “the closest person to me in a long time”.
Her brother, who served as tour director for the pop star and danced in her early music videos including Lucky Star, died of cancer on Friday in Michigan.
In a heartfelt post on InstagramThe 66-year-old singer wrote that their relationship is difficult to explain but that it “comes from an understanding that we are different”.
“Society will make things difficult for us for not following the status quo,” she added.
“We held hands and danced through our crazy childhoods, in fact dancing was a kind of super glue that bonded us together.”
The singer explains that “discovering dance in our small Midwestern town saved me,” and then “it also saved him” as a young gay man.
She writes: “When I finally got the courage to go to New York to become a dancer, my brother followed, and once again we held hands and danced through the madness of the City.” New York City.”
She added that the pair “gorged on art, music and movies like hungry animals” in the city, and were “in the epicenter of all this stuff exploding”.
“We danced together on stage at the beginning of my career and he eventually became the creative director of many of my tours.”
She added: “My brother was by my side, he was a painter, a poet and a visionary, I admired him very much.
“He has impeccable taste. And a sharp tongue, sometimes he uses that against me but I always forgive him.
“Together we have soared to the highest peaks and floundered in the lowest lows.
“Somehow, we always find each other, hold hands and keep dancing.”
Getty ImagesThe couple broke up in 2008 following the release of his autobiography, titled Life With My Sister Madonna, in which he wrote about her love life and what it was like working for her.
Speaking about reuniting before her death, Madonna added: “The past few years have not been easy.
“We didn’t talk for a while but when my brother got sick, we found our way back to each other.
“I tried my best to keep him alive as long as possible.
“He was in so much pain towards the end, once again, we held hands, closed our eyes and danced together.
“I’m glad he’s not suffering anymore, there will never be anyone like him. I know he’s dancing somewhere.”
Ciccone is also an artist and interior designer, and has directed music videos for other stars including Dolly Parton and Tony Bennett.
Madonna’s stepmother Joan also passed away from cancer recently, and the star’s brother Anthony also passed away early last year.
