Trigger warning: This article mentions death.
Superstar Madonna may be the center of attraction for many, as well as an unfathomable star, having showcased her phenomenal music, striking looks and larger-than-life personality in the 90s. However, her siblings are the complete opposite!
In an old interview with Oprah Winfrey that recently went viral, Madonna’s sister, Paula Ciccone, said, “She wasn’t singing all the time, but she was always doing something to be the center of attention.”
Paula opened up about the challenges she faced in modeling due to having a famous sibling. She had difficulty establishing her identity in the industry, often feeling the pressure of being compared to her sister.
When discussing feelings of jealousy, Paula acknowledged that it is natural to want to achieve one’s own level of success in any field.
Paula Ciccone is a year younger than Madonna. While Madonna established her name as one of the biggest pop stars with over 50 hit songs, Paula struggled to find success in modeling and acting.
Madonna’s success made it difficult for her family to be around her, as she was always in the public eye. Paula noted in the same interview that:
“The power and attention that our famous family members receive outside often comes to their homes as well, hampering our conversations. Whenever we return home, it takes effort to overcome this barrier before the real conversation can begin.
Additionally, Paula commented that it can be challenging for someone who has consistently been treated exceptionally well, to put that aside and engage as a regular person. This dynamic makes it difficult for others to connect with them if they are not willing to be treated as individuals.
All of Madonna’s siblings have the same parents and were all born in Michigan. Six of his siblings are still alive. The eldest, Anthony Ciccone, died in February 2023 at the age of 66. Madonna paid tribute to her brother in an Instagram Story following his death, featuring a black-and-white photo of her posing with her siblings in the 1980s.
As confirmed by People, Madonna’s other brother, Christopher Ciccone, also died on October 4, 2024, after a battle with cancer. According to his representative, Christopher worked as an interior designer, footwear designer, and memoirist, while he also devoted himself to painting as a primary form of personal expression.
Apart from Paula, Madonna has seven other siblings: three sisters and four brothers. Currently, Paula is 65 years old and an award-winning winemaker with her brother Jon and their father Silvio at the Vineyard and Winery in Suttons Bay, Michigan.
Also read: Madonna shares a glimpse of her heartwarming football game date with boyfriend Akeem Morris; See pictures here
