Madonna’s Stepmom Joan Ciccone Dies at 81 After ‘Aggressive Cancer’ Battle

Pop star Madonna's stepmother, Joan Ciccone, passed away peacefully at the age of 81 following a brief battle with an aggressive form of cancer, US Weekly reported. Joan, married to Madonna's father, Silvio "Tony" Ciccone, since 1966, left behind a legacy filled with enthusiasm, joy, and love for her family. She ran a daycare for over twenty years and cherished her grandchildren, expressing sadness that she wouldn't witness their life milestones due to her grim diagnosis.

Joan is survived by her husband Silvio, their two children Jennifer and Mario, stepdaughter Madonna, and several other children including Martin, Paula, Christopher, Melanie Ciccone, and their respective families. The family plans to celebrate Joan's life in a memorial on October 3.

Madonna revealed the complexities in her relationship with Joan, mentioning in a 1985 Time magazine interview that she felt like Cinderella adjusting to a new family dynamic after her mother died in 1963. Madonna, who lost her mother at a young age, struggled to accept Joan, conveying in a 2015 Howard Stern interview that the remarrying of her father three years after her mother's passing was a tumultuous period. Joan, described by Madonna as maintaining a strict Catholic household, reportedly slapped her stepdaughter and prohibited the use of tampons.

However, with time, Madonna's attitude softened. During a 2002 discussion with Larry King, she admitted her earlier unjust treatment of Joan, acknowledging Joan's efforts in integrating into the family and maintaining a trying but evolving relationship. For Mother's Day in May 2024, Madonna commemorated her late mother via an Instagram post, reflecting on her early loss and the impact it had on her views towards sleep and relationships, showcasing the deep emotional journey navigating through loss and new family bonds.

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