Anthony Ciccone’s cause of death has been revealed.
Madonna’s eldest brother died from throat cancer and respiratory failure, according to his death certificate, obtained by TMZ.
Ciccone specifically battled oropharyngeal cancer, which is often caused by smoking cigarettes.
The death certificate specifically notes tobacco use contributed to Ciccone’s death.
Ciccone passed away in February at age 66.
Despite Ciccone’s estranged relationship with his family, we’re told the “Material Girl” singer always stepped up to help him financially with health issues.
“Most family members had a difficult relationship with him due to his disease [with alcohol],” a source told Page Six at the time of his death.
“Madonna helped to support her brother when he would accept that support. During his final months, he was in contact with family and Madonna, but this past week, he refused the support the rehab facility offered, and it was clear he was ready to move on,” the insider added.
Sources also told us that the “Vogue” singer was footing the bill for his rehab stay in Michigan shortly before his death.
Madonna, 64, thanked her late brother for introducing her to the world of music.
“Thank you for blowing my mind as a young girl and introducing me to [jazz musicians] Charlie Parker [and] Miles Davis,” Madonna wrote on her Instagram Story alongside a group photo featuring her late sibling.
Madge also thanked her brother for introducing her to religions such as Buddhism and Taoism as well as writers Charles Bukowski, Richard Brautigan and Jack Kerouac.
“You planted many important seeds,” she concluded the tribute.
Musician Joe Henry, who is married to Madonna’s sister Melanie Ciccone, was the first to announce the news of Anthony’s death in a heartbreaking Instagram post.
“My brother-in-law, Anthony Gerard Ciccone, exited this earthly plane last evening. I’ve known him since I was 15, in the spring of our lives in Michigan so many years now gone,” Henry, 62, captioned a black-and-white portrait of Anthony.
“Anthony was a complex character; and god knows: we tangled in moments, as true brothers can. But I loved him, and understood him better than I was sometimes willing to let on.”