Anthony Gerard Ciccone, one of the siblings of pop star Madonna (63), is dead. The news of the musician’s brother’s death at the age of 66 was shared by a family member via Instagram. Songwriter, guitarist and producer Joe Henry (62), who has been married to Madonna’s sister Melanie Ciccone (61) since 1987, wrote: “My brother-in-law Anthony Gerard Ciccone left this planet last night.” He had known Anthony since he was 15, almost 50 years.

He also posted a black and white photo of the deceased, which Henry’s brother shot. “Anthony was a complex character and God knows we clashed at times – like true brothers do.” Joe Henry does not write anything about the circumstances of death in his post.

Madonna has not yet responded to the news on her social media channels. Anthony was her eldest brother, after Martin Ciccone (65), she herself is the third eldest of a total of six children by Silvio (91) and Madonna Louise Fortin (1933-1963) – Madonna’s mother died of breast cancer at the age of only 30. With his second wife Joan, whom he married in 1966, Silvio Ciccone has two more children.