Madonna has written an emotional tribute to her brother, Christopher Ciccone, following his death on October 5 after a long battle with cancer. The pop icon took to Instagram to share her heartfelt memories, reflecting on their unique bond and the impact Christopher had on her life.

In her post, Madonna described Christopher as “the closest human to me for so long” and shared how their shared love for dance connected them from a young age. “We took each other’s hands and we danced through the madness of our childhood,” she wrote, explaining how dance saved them both during their upbringing in Michigan.

Madonna also reflected on how her brother found refuge in their hometown ballet teacher’s class, which provided him with a safe space to be himself in a time and place where being gay was not accepted. She shared how they later moved to New York, where they embraced the city’s thriving arts scene, dancing through both its vibrant culture and the difficult days of the AIDS epidemic.

Christopher, a painter, poet, and visionary, became Madonna’s creative director for many of her music tours. She expressed her admiration for him, recalling both their highs and lows, but always finding their way back to one another.

Although their relationship had been strained in recent years, Madonna revealed that they reconciled when Christopher became ill. She did everything she could to keep him alive, and they shared their final moments together in the same way they always had—dancing.

In closing her tribute, Madonna said, “I’m glad he’s not suffering anymore. There will never be anyone like him. I know he’s dancing somewhere.” The heartfelt message resonated with fans, who praised the pop star for her vulnerability during this difficult time.