This story was one of NZ Herald Entertainment's top stories for 2021
Queen of pop Madonna has posed for a very rare photo alongside her three younger sisters, as the family celebrates the 90th birthday of Madonna's father Silvio 'Tony' Ciccone.
In new photos circulating on social media, Madonna, 62,is seen celebrating at her father's Michigan vineyard, alongside sisters Melanie, 59, Paula, 61, and Jennifer, 53.
Melanie and Paula share both parents with Madonna, while Jennifer is a daughter to Silvio and Joan, the woman he married after Madonna's mother died in 1963.
The four sisters have rarely been spotted together over the years – here they are in 1987, at Melanie's wedding to musician Joe Henry (who's co-written a handful of Madonna's hits):
Ciccone sisters: Paula, Jennifer, Melanie and Madonna at Melanie’s wedding to Joe Henry in 1987. pic.twitter.com/Yv2IC6MX6f
It appeared to be a happy reunion for the Ciccone clan, with Madonna and Melanie shown warmly embracing each other:
Madonna and Melanie embrace. Photo / Instagram
Also present at the celebrations: Madonna's own brood, including eldest daughter Lourdes, David Banda, Mercy, and twins Estere and Stella. Rocco, her son with Guy Ritchie, did not appear to be present.
Madonna and her children celebrate with her dad. Photo / Twitter
Also present at the event was Madonna's brother Christopher, who famously penned a disparaging tell-all memoir about her titled Life With My Sister Madonna in 2008. In the book, Christopher referred to his sister as mean, bossy, sweaty and moody, and claimed that she underpaid him for working for her for two decades.
