Madonna's Brother Anthony Ciccone Is Homeless And Living Under A Bridge

Posted on Oct 22, 2011 @ 07:39PM

print it send it

WENN

Madonna's brother Anthony Ciccone claims he is homeless and living under a bridge.

Anthony, 55, told the Michigan Messenger that he has been homeless for over a year and fighting for survival on the cold streets of Traverse City, along with 14,000 of other destitute people.

“My family turned their back on me, basically, when I was having a hard time,” said Ciccone, who added it annoyed him when people asked how he could come from such a high-profile family and end up sleeping under a bridge.

PHOTOS: Lourdes Leon Travels With Mom Madonna After Nightmare At Venice Film Festival

"You think I haven’t answered this kind of question a bazillion times — why my sister is a multibazillionarie, and I’m homeless on the street?" he responded. "Never say never. This could happen to anybody."

The bizarre interview with Ciccone was part of a spotlight by the local news on the growing problem of homelessness in Traverse City, which is in the northern area of Madonna's home state of Michigan.

PHOTOS: Madonna's Daughter Lourdes' Bikini Vacation

The Material Girl's brother's last job was at his father's winery, Ciccone Vineyard & Winery in Suttons Bay, Michigan, where he sold 'Madonna Wine.' He lost that employement early last year.

Since then he has been struggling to survive with no money coming in. “I don’t have any income, I’ve got to go collect bottles and cans, do odd jobs," explained Ciccone, who relies on local churches and Goodwill for food.

PHOTOS: Madonna’s Family Vacation

Having made his home under the city's Union Street Bridge, Anthony claims he is one of many residents of the street who suffered from cold-related injury during the blistery winter last year.

“You have no idea how gruesome it is," he said. “You get nerve damage. That’s the milder stage, in the severe stage you have tissue damage, that is when you lose parts of your body. I got frostbite on my feet last winter."

Anthony is the second of eight children who include Madonna, Martin, Paula, Christopher and Melanie, and half siblings Mario and Jennifer.

Madonna Slams Lady Gaga's 'Obsession' With Her

Madonna's Ex Guy Ritchie Welcomes Third Son

Madonna's New Movie Savaged By Critics At Venice Film Festival

Beyonce's Returning To The Stage For The First Time Since Becoming A Mom — Huffington Post
Sienna Miller & Her Baby Bump Are All Smiles — The Frisky
Jay-Z To Score New "Annie" Movie Starring Willow Smith — Global Grind
Simon Cowell Asks 'What Was I Thinking?' After Choosing Britney Spears & Demi Lovato for 'X Factor' — Celebuzz
Anne Hathaway's Ex Raffaello Follieri Released from Jail — Just Jared
Age Appropriate? Kylie Minogue, 43, Dons Racy Webbed Dress — Celebuzz
Click Here & Join Our Facebook Page — Facebook

I do everything I can with little that I have to help others, and in return God is there for me. Anthony Ciccone pray for others and I will pray for you; never give up. God Bless you Anthony Ciccone.

by lana_a2z
Posted Sun, 10/23/2011 - 5:25pm

I had it all back in 2008, and lost it all in 2008. I thank God everyday that my family helped me. Otherwise, I would be living under a bridge like Anthony Ciccone. I've been through tough times, and this time it's tougher than ever.

by lana_a2z
Posted Sun, 10/23/2011 - 5:22pm

what i meant by him talking to rol can be used as a lever TO EMBARRASS someone whos mentioned into giving
him money to shut up
piggy your posts are the best example of the quality of rol . back atcha is all i can say on the rest

by ted409
Posted Sun, 10/23/2011 - 2:48pm

So because he's Madonna's brother he has no right to talk to a reporter about a subject he's intimately familiar with, homelessness, because it might embarrass his uber wealthy sister. Well boo hoo hoo for her. He focused on himself, not her.

by Piggy
Posted Sun, 10/23/2011 - 4:23pm

He didn't talk to ROL, dumbass. He talked to a local reporter with a local newspaper doing a story on the homeless. ROL picked up the story for free and reported on what the paper published. As i said your reading comprehension sucks.

by Piggy
Posted Sun, 10/23/2011 - 4:11pm

lindsay looks like that meth commercial they play on tv ..... GETTING OFF THE DRUGS SHOULD WORK GOOD
rinse -brush-rinse-brush with toothpaste again has kept my 88 year old moms teeth in good shape all these years and

by ted409
Posted Sun, 10/23/2011 - 2:39pm

Madonna could set him up w/o him touching $ by 1) Get her acct to pay his rent & utilities 2) Order groceries & other supplies delivered every week 3) Buy him a monthly bus pass 4) Pay for his health ins. 5) Pay for necessary treatments.

by anne_000
Posted Sun, 10/23/2011 - 2:28pm

Many times families are advised not to help an addicted family member. Even food and shelter can
enable them. He has 7 siblings and a father who can help him as well. There must be a pretty good
reason they aren't.

by NJerseymom
Posted Sun, 10/23/2011 - 1:30pm

True but at what point does it become counter productive to cut someone off entirely? IMO when it reaches a point that they are freezing huddled under a bridge with frostbite, the "tough love cure" just might be worse then the disease.

by Piggy
Posted Sun, 10/23/2011 - 5:11pm

Maybe Madonna can spare some of her plastic surgery budget $$$ to help her brother. Anyway, no matter how hard she tries to re-do herself to look like Kate Winslet, it ain't working.

by JC
Posted Sun, 10/23/2011 - 11:42am