The mother of pop icon Madonna passed away on Tuesday after battling an aggressive form of cancer, according to an obituary posted online. The obituary notes that she will be deeply missed by family and friends, who cherished her vibrant spirit, joy, and affection.
Madonna’s representatives have not yet responded to Page Six’s request for a statement. Joan, Madonna’s stepmother, married Silvio “Tony” Ciccone in April 1966 and became stepmother to his six children: Anthony, Martin, Madonna, Paula, Christopher, and Melanie Ciccone. Silvio had these children with his late wife, also named Madonna.
Madonna’s birth mother died of breast cancer in 1963 when the singer was just five years old. In a heartfelt Mother’s Day post earlier this year, Madonna reflected on the loss of her mother, recalling how she watched her mother’s health decline without understanding why. She shared that her mother’s sudden death, with no clear explanation, contributed to her complex relationship with sleep.
In contrast, Madonna did not have a close bond with her stepmother. In a 2002 interview with Larry King, she described her relationship with Joan as difficult, admitting that she struggled to accept her growing up. The singer also spoke about the challenges and chaos she experienced during her childhood, acknowledging the hardships her stepmother faced after the loss of her birth mother.
Madonna explained, “My mother died when I was little, and that was difficult for me for a while. In hindsight, I realise that it was also very tough on her. She was trying… I am very close to my father, and I resisted change in my life.”
