Pop icon Madonna has been hit by a family tragedy as her stepmother, with whom the pop icon had a troubled relationship, has passed away.
Joan Clare Ciccone died on September 24 after a brief but aggressive battle with cancer.
Joan, who married Madonna’s father, Silvio Tony Ciccone, in 1966, died peacefully in the early hours of the morning, leaving behind a legacy of ‘enthusiasm, joy and love’ for her family, according to her obituary
The relationship between Madonna and her stepmother had been troubled from the start.
Tony married Joan, the family’s housekeeper, and they had two children, Jennifer and Mario.
Madonna, particularly unhappy about her father’s remarriage, rebelled, straining their relationship for many years.
In a 1985 interview with Time magazine, the singer compared herself to Cinderella, hinting at the difficulties she faced in adjusting to her new family dynamic after her father’s remarriage.
She reportedly felt resentment toward her stepmother and father, who remarried just years after her mother’s death.
In a 2015 interview with Howard Stern, Madonna revealed that she struggled to accept Joan, who entered her life just three years after the devastating loss of her own mother.
Madonna revealed that her stepmother slapped her and kept a religious Catholic household, where she had to abide by strict laws like being forbidden to use tampons, Grunge reported.
This pain and resentment even found its way into Madonna’s music, with her song ‘Mother and Father’ touching on themes of abandonment and betrayal.
However, as time passed, it seems the pop star’s stance softened.
In a 2002 interview with Larry King, Madonna admitted to being unfair in her initial treatment of Joan. She said her stepmother was ‘trying.’
Joan’s life was marked by her dedication to children and running a daycare for over two decades, her obituary said.
She later moved with Tony to Suttons Bay, Michigan, where they established the Ciccone Vineyard and Winery.
Known for her love of fashion and antiques, Joan was a vibrant presence in her community, volunteering at local events and cherishing time with her grandchildren.
She is survived by Tony and her seven children.
