Madonna's Stepmom Joan Ciccone Dies at 81 of 'Very Aggressive Cancer'

Mar. 15, 2025

Madonna; Joan Clare Ciccone.Photo:Ethan Miller/Getty;reynolds jonkhoff

Ethan Miller/Getty;reynolds jonkhoff

Madonna’s stepmother Joan Clare Ciccone, who was married to the pop star’sfather Silviofor 58 years, has died. She was 81.

Joan died on Tuesday, Sept. 24 “after a brief encounter with a very aggressive cancer,” according to anonline obituary.

A rep for Madonna has not commented.

Joan entered Madonna’s life when the pop star was 8 years old, marrying Silvio in 1966. The “Like a Prayer” singer’s mother,also named Madonna, died in December 1963 at just 30 years old, when the star was 5.

Madonna, 66, has been open about her difficult relationship with Joan during her childhood, tellingLarry King in 2002that she “sometimes suffered” amid “moments of chaos.”

Madonna and dad Silvio Ciccone.Madonna/Instagram

Madonna/Instagram

“My mother died when I was little and that was difficult for me for a while,” she said. “I mean truthfully, I didn’t accept my stepmother when I was growing up. In retrospect, I think that was really hard on her. She was [trying]… I’m very close to my father and I didn’t want to accept change in my life.”

In 2015, Madonna toldRolling Stonethat when she was younger, she “didn’t have any relationship” with Joan, and therefore had “no role model” to look up to.

Though it remains unclear whether Joan and Madonna mended fences over the years,fan videocirculating online shows Joan and Madonna sharing a big hug backstage during the star’s MDNA tour in 2012.

In addition to Silvio and Madonna’s six children, Joan and Silvio shared daughter Jennifer, 56, and son Mario, 55. A son named Joey was born in 1967, but died shortly after birth of a heart defect.

Madonna performing in May 2024.PABLO PORCIUNCULA/AFP via Getty Images

PABLO PORCIUNCULA/AFP via Getty Images

According to her obituary, Joan was born in Taylor, Mich. and worked as a dental assistant after graduating from Henry Ford Community College. She also ran a daycare for more than 20 years.

In 1995, she and Silvio, 93, moved to Suttons Bay, Mich. to develop and operate Ciccone Vineyard and Winery.

“She took special joy in her grandkids later in life and with the grim cancer prognosis lamented that she was sad she would not see them marry and have kids of their own,” her obituary says.

Joan’s death comes a year and a half after Madonna’sbrother Anthony diedat age 66 in 2023.

source: people.com