In a candid disclosure during her Celebration Tour concert in Brooklyn, New York, Madonna, the iconic ‘Queen of Pop,’ shared details about her recent hospitalization due to a serious bacterial infection.
In June 2023, the Grammy-winning artist endured a medically induced coma for 48 hours while in the intensive care unit of a hospital. This revelation came as a shock to fans and the music community alike.
Madonna, 65, recounted the traumatic experience to a packed audience, expressing her gratitude towards her Kabbalah teacher, who remained by her side throughout her ordeal. In a video captured by a fan and shared on social media, Madonna was heard saying, “The only voice I heard was his. I heard him say, ‘Squeeze my hand’,” acknowledging the crucial role her teacher played during her time in the coma.
The singer also paid tribute to her friend Shavawn, credited with saving her life. Madonna explained that she had passed out on her bathroom floor and was later taken to the hospital by Shavawn, where she woke up in the ICU.
Upon regaining consciousness, Madonna’s initial thoughts were of her children. She humorously remarked on the rarity of having her six children – Lourdes, 27, Rocco, 23, David Banda, 18, Mercy James, 17, and twins Estere and Stella, 11 – all together, joking, “I had to almost die to get all my kids in one room.”
Guy Oseary, Madonna’s longtime manager, had announced her hospitalization on Instagram in June 2023, saying that the star had developed a serious bacterial infection, which led to a multi-day stay in the ICU. At the time, he reassured fans that her health was improving and a full recovery was expected.
In July, Madonna thanked her fans for their support and prayers, sharing on Instagram her reflections on the incident. She emphasized her desire not to disappoint those who had purchased tickets for her tour and the team that had worked with her to create the show.
The impact of this medical emergency was significant, causing the postponement of her highly anticipated Celebration tour. Originally scheduled to begin in July 2023, the tour’s start was delayed until October, with the first North American date taking place on December 13. Despite these challenges, Madonna’s resilience and commitment to her craft were evident as she returned to the stage, continuing to enchant audiences with her performances.
