Madonna Honors Her 92-Year-Old Father Tony For Father’s Day Despite Him Being Her First Heartbreaker

Jun 19, 2023

Pop icon Madonna has defied the odds and broken boundaries throughout her multi-decade-long career. She is a singer and pop culture icon. Madonna has given us plenty of hits, defining the course of pop music and ultimately giving her the moniker the "Queen of Pop."

Madonna was born on Aug. 16, 1958, making her 64 years old today. Originally from Michigan, the aspiring star moved to New York City in the late 1970s to pursue a career in dance before finally finding success as a solo singer. She has since released a plethora of No. 1 hits, including "Papa Don't Preach," "Like a Prayer," and "Vogue."

However, great music and iconic fashionable looks are not the only cultural contributions that the star has given the world. Madonna is also a mother to six children, with a mix of both biological and adopted children, resulting in a diverse and talented family. 

As the world has watched these kids grow up, it's become clear that all of Madonna's children have her confidence, sense of style, and fashionable flair. Her children include Lourdes "Lola" Maria Ciccone Leon, Rocco Ritchie, David Banda Mwale Ciccone, Chifundo Mercy James, and twins Stella and Estere Ciccone. 

In the past years, information about Madonna's children was highly reported, but there is very little known about her parents, specifically her father. In an Instagram post she shared on Father's Day on Jun. 18, 2023, Madonna gave an inclusive greeting not just to her father but to all the father's out there. Keep on reading to learn more about Madonna's father, her childhood, and her Father's Day greeting.  

Born Madonna Louise Ciccone to Catholic parents Madonna Louise Fortin and Silvio Anthony "Tony" Ciccone, Madonna grew up to be one of the best singers and performers in the world today. 

Unbeknownst to many, Madonna has a huge Italian ancestry as her father's parents were Italian emigrants from Pacentro, while her mother, Madonna Louise, hailed from a strong French-Canadian family. 

Growing up, Madonna had the nickname "Little Nonnie," as she had the same name as her mother. At an early age, her mother died in December 1963 because of breast cancer. She then used the name Veronica as a confirmation name when she was being "confirmed" in the Catholic Church in 1966. 

Raised in the Detroit Suburbs of Pontiac and Rochester Hills, Madonna grew up in the presence of a big family with her two older brothers – Anthony and Martin, and her three other younger siblings – Paula, Christopher, and Melanie. She also had other step-siblings when her father, Tony, married their housekeeper Joan Gustafson – Jennifer and Mario. 

After such a move by her father, Madonna had a resentful relationship with Tony, straining their relationship as the years went by. 

Speaking in a 1989 interview with Chicago Tribune, Madonna confessed that it was her father that was her first ever heartbreak. 

"For the three years before he remarried, I clung to him," the singer explained. "It was like: Okay, now you're mine, and you're not going anywhere ... Then he got taken away from me when he married my stepmother. It was then that I said, Okay, I don't need anybody. No one's going to break my heart again."

Eventually, as the years went by and her father aged, he and Madonna mended as the pop star celebrated his father's 90th birthday in 2021, as Yahoo News reported. 

In 2023, Madonna yet again gave his father a sweet tribute in honor of Father's Day. At 92, Tony is still alive today and has defied many odds that came his way. 

Sharing her greeting in an Instagram post, Madonna had this to say:

"Happy Father's Day to. All the Dad's out there!!! She's, He's, Them's and They's!! But Most of All to my Father -Silvio-who once told me he was gonna go until the wheels fell off!! S.A. M. E." she wrote in the caption. "Thanks for your unrelenting work ethic and Love and for refusing to spoil me in any wAy. You taught me how to be a Survivor! ♥️ Forever Grateful. But also really tired…… xxxxxxxx," 

In the said photo carousel, Madonna posted a close-up selfie of hers, showing her chiseled face with light makeup, showcasing her blonde braided locks. The next image she shared was an old photo of her father, Tony, who looked dashing in the portrait and was clearly the source of Madonna's beauty. 

Tony worked as an optic engineer for Chrysler and General Dynamics on military projects. 

However, many people in the comments section ignored the heartfelt greeting of Madonna and chose instead to take aim at her declaration of who dads are. In her caption, the singer particularly noted that her greeting also extends to any father who identifies as a "She's, He's, Them's and They's."

"Sorry only He's can be dads !! You can pretend if you want but its science," a user said. 

"Happy Father's Day! But let's speak with TRUTH. Fathers are MEN! Not she or they or any of that nonsense," another commented. 

As expected, Madonna was unfazed by the comments as she ignored the hateful things that people had to say to her and her greeting. 

Happy Father's Day! What can you say about Madonna's relationship with her father? Do you agree with what she said in her greetings? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends, and other loved ones out there!