Madonna's Brother Is Homeless

Celebrity News October 22, 2011 AT 3:35PM
Madonna's Brother Is Homeless Credit: George Pimentel/WireImage

While Madonna kicks back in her newly renovated $32 million NYC townhouse and her homes in Los Angeles and London, her second eldest brother is living under a bridge and on the streets of Michigan.

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Anthony Ciccone, 55, has opened to local news site The Michigan Messenger in an interview that addresses the influx of homeless flocking to Traverse City because of its generous meal program and shelter program.

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"My family turned their back on me, basically, when I was having a hard time," said Ciccone, who grew up in Rochester Hills, Mich. along with his six siblings including his multiplatinum music artist sister, 53. "You think I haven't answered this kind of question a bazillion times -- why my sister is a multibazillionaire, and I'm homeless on the street? Never say never. This could happen to anybody."

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Ciccone attributes his status to losing his job at his father's Suttons Bay winery over a year ago.

Tell Us What You Think

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  • October 26, 2011 - 10:59am Deirdre Perry

    Most likely he'd blow whatever money she would give him, if it was his fathers winery and he lost his job, that tells me he doesn't have a good relationship with his family by his own doing. Nobody owes us anything, not even our family, the family probably has helped him numerous times and he keeps burning bridges. At some point you say enough is enough.

  • October 25, 2011 - 4:49pm Jennifer Aten

    yeah if i had 32 million to redo a house i could give a million to every member of my family not rot with my money just saying

  • October 24, 2011 - 3:36pm Trey Speegle

    Some of you got it right... check out the documentary TRUTH OR DARE. Anthony shows up when she plays a Detroit concert. He was a piece of work then, and his sister is a piece of work too, no doubt, but she has worked hard and her money is her money. Her brother was done in by his sister's success... it seems he can't be his own man because of who his sister is. (BTW, he was fired from working at his father's vineyard, so that tells you something there...) It's complex situation that no one but the family knows the details of.... but, at some point, you take responsibility for your own life. I'm sure this has happened to the relatives of every other lottery winner too...

  • October 24, 2011 - 6:00am Brandon Proctor

    Hey Madonna. Keep it together in the family. They're a reminder of your history. Brothers and Sisters, they hold the key to your heart and your soul, Don't forget that your family is gold.

  • October 24, 2011 - 5:58am Brandon Proctor

    You help family. No debate there. Couple that with the fact that your sister is worth three quarters of a billion dollars and it's easy to see why the legend that will become Madonna will be riddled with the fact that deep down, she is not a nice person. Help your brother.

  • October 23, 2011 - 2:17pm Shaunda Harris

    PLEASE GROW THE HELL UP FOOL....MADONNA IS NOT OBLIGATED TO TAKE CARE OF YOU....SHE HAS TRIED TO HELP HER BROTHER BUT IF HE IS LIVING UNDER A BRIDGE..HE OBVIOUSLY IS NOT TRYING TO HELP HIMSELF......SO TO HELL WITH HIM....GUILT TRIP DOES NOT PLAY EASY WITH MADONNA......THEY FAMILY IS NOT A CLOSE ONE.....DO U MADONNA.....

  • October 23, 2011 - 12:30pm Heather Stringer Hesman

    This is a double sided blade. On one side, she could provide her brother with a modest home without it putting a dent in her pocketbook. One the other side, IF he has done things to lead to his situation, you can only help those who help themselves. So theres no way of knowing the whole story. And honestly, it's a private family matter and none of our business...regardless.

  • October 23, 2011 - 11:36am Naylee Thomas

    You can't carry everyone especially when they keep messing up...his side is just one side...

  • October 23, 2011 - 10:16am Jan Far

    I do know that families could clash and I do know there is more to the story. I do know shes a jip when it comes to paying up after a job in her house was done.

  • October 23, 2011 - 6:01am Tenderjoy Wild

    Family never comes first when it comes to this man's situation, and why he chooses to stay on the street is another question, because if you really want to get off the street its up to him, but a little help from strangers would help stimulate him to do something about his life on the street!!!!!

  • October 23, 2011 - 12:33am Lisa Habig

    I wouldn't be too quick to pass judgment. You don't know what kinds of issues this guy has and what he may have put his family though. He probably has excessive drug/alcohol issues and perhaps his family has tried to help him time and time again to no avail. It happens. Perhaps he should stop giving intereviews for money and writing books and get some help..try to do something for himself.

  • October 22, 2011 - 11:04pm Lori Spoonamore

    I would help my family no matter what...

  • October 22, 2011 - 8:42pm Vanessa Poholek Fasanella

    It seems this guy is a professional whiner and loser who blames everyone else. He has been paid tons of money for all the interviews he did with the Mail in the UK, the book, the decor work he did for Madonna and friends, and for what? If he is mentally ill or an addict, then everything he says makes sense. And then I say, shame on his family, if they failed to help him seek treatment. But they don't owe him any money, free jobs, anything. Everything in life is a choice.

  • October 22, 2011 - 7:49pm Suzanne Cripps

    Christopher Ciccone is the brother that wrote the book.

  • October 22, 2011 - 7:41pm Janet Tyrrell Keyser

    He did write a book about her.What happened to THAT money?

  • October 22, 2011 - 7:33pm Judy Carr

    shame on you, Madonna

  • October 22, 2011 - 7:00pm Sandra Tansu Windham

    no one knows what is happening in the family. this guy could be a druggie and drunk. with people like that often the only thing you can do it let them hit rock bottom. i also recall a brother saying he was writing a book about her, not sure if it's this one. either way no one can judge without knowing the situation

  • October 22, 2011 - 6:05pm Shannon Hopp Wright

    Annalee, I didn't find any book authored by this guy at all, Madonna bio or anything else. I don't care if he is the world's biggest jerk (can't be much worse than Madonna herself), he should be helped by Madonna. She should go get him and bring him to one of her homes, then help him deal with his problems. She looks really horrible ignoring him, he's family.

  • October 22, 2011 - 5:20pm Jeana Roper

    It's a shame how the rich snub their own family.

  • October 22, 2011 - 5:07pm Bridgette Kolesar

    Common Madonna have a heart. Blood is blood, wether you like them or not.

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