Madonna's brother 'dead at the age of 63' weeks after losing step-mum

Madonna's younger brother Christopher Ciccone has died at the age of 63, according to reports.

TMZ reports that Christopher, a designer and director, died on Friday, October 5, in Michigan.

The news comes just weeks after Madonna's step mum Joan Ciccone passed away at the age of 81 after a cancer diagnosis. Joan "passed away peacefully" on September 24 following "a brief encounter with a very aggressive cancer", according to an obituary.

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Christopher performed as a dancer for his sister Madonna during the early years of his career. He later took up the role of art director for her Blond Ambition World Tour in 1990. He also directed music videos for Dolly Parton and Tony Bennett among others.

Madonna's relationship with her brother reportedly broke down after he released his book Life With My Sister Madonna in 2008.

By 2012, their relationship was reportedly back on track, with the designer telling the Evening Standard in an interview they were "on a perfectly personable level right now". He said: "As far as I’m concerned, we’re good."