JENNIFER, born 1967

Madonna’s half-sister teaches art in the Michigan area and got married in 2011 at their father’s vineyard. All the siblings apart from Madonna and Anthony were there. She wasn’t invited to Madonna’s weddings because they’re not close. Her brother has Chris said at the time: ‘It was a lovely wedding day. I think she’s really looking forward to starting a family.’

CHRISTOPHER, born 1960

Once Madonna’s closest sibling, he began his career as her assistant, dresser, stylist and artistic director. Later, he furnished her houses, too. Madonna paid for him to have rehab for alcohol and cocaine abuse. They fell out in 2003 when she dropped him as her tour director. Guy Ritchie never liked him. Chris’s memoir, Life With My Sister Madonna, was published in 2008. He is now working as a creative director for singers and songwriters. He has plans for a coffee-table book, continues to work as an interior designer and paints. He hopes he can make up his differences with Madonna. ‘We’ve not spoken since the book, but it’s inevitable we’ll see each other at a family event,’ he has said.

MARIO, born 1968

Madonna's half-brother and the baby of the family, Mario has also worked at thier father’s vineyard. He used to work at Madonna’s record company, Maverick. He married in July 2011 and has three children, one from a previous relationship. He had a wild period in his youth, taking cocaine and getting into fights. He battered a motorist and broke a police officer’s nose. Madonna paid his legal bills.

MELANIE, born 1962

Now married with two children, Melanie used to be a publicist at Brian Eno’s Opal Records. She is married to the singer and songwriter Joe Henry — an old friend of Madonna’s who recently produced Hugh Laurie’s album. Chris has said: ‘Madonna is probably closest to Melanie. They are both mums and have children of a similar age.’ Madonna calls her ‘Smells’, and she was the trusted sibling who held her hand when she gave birth to Lourdes.

MARTY, born 1957

Was in the U.S. army. In 1994, he released a debut rap album under the name MC Ciccone, which included numerous bitter digs at his sister. In 1999, after being without a record contact for several years, he was finally persuaded by Madonna to enter rehab to deal with his alcohol problem — which she paid for — causing him to miss her second wedding. He started a restaurant in Los Angeles, and went back into rehab again in 2003. Divorced with a daughter, he lives in Los Angeles and is trying to make it as a voice-over artist. He and Madonna are in friendly contact.