The brothers accepted the honour at a function at the Melbourne Convention Centre to celebrate the AFLPA's 40th anniversary.
Former Carlton premiership player David McKay and former West Coast president Neil Hamilton also received life memberships.
The Madden brothers were both presidents of the association, McKay was the original vice-president, while Hamilton was the first advisory board chairman and remains involved in the AFLPA.
'Harry' considers AFL comeback
AFPA president Matt Finnis said it was important for the organisation to pay tribute to those critical to the development of its culture and objectives.
"They weren’t just interested in carving out better conditions for the players. They actually and genuinely believed that by providing the league with a coordinated voice for players to work in partnership with, the game would be richer and better,” Finnis said.
The AFL Players Association faces a big 2014 as it engages in discussions with the AFL to review its collective bargaining agreement as the agreement enters its third year.
AFLPA delegates are meeting at the Melbourne Convention Centre this week to discuss its approach to those talks as well as discuss proposed rule changes and issues relating to the game's integrity.
