Madonna reveals life-threatening illness that left her in intensive care on a ventilator

Megastar singer Madonna has spoken about a terrifying brush with death that left her in intensive care for four days.

After contracting a serious infection, the 67-year-old was admitted to the hospital in 2023, causing her world tour to be postponed.

The bacterial infection, which eventually turned into sepsis, slammed the Queen of Pop, with doctors connecting her to a ventilator as her condition worsened.

“I was rehearsing for a tour, and I got a bacterial infection,” she told Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast this week.

“One minute I was alive and dancing around, and the next minute I was in the ICU, unconscious for four days. I got out of the hospital, they took me off the ventilator, I started to breathe on my own, and I had something called sepsis, and it can kill you.

Reactions to sepsis can be life-threatening as the body focuses on releasing chemicals to help fight the infection. These chemicals can damage other systems in the body, sometimes with devastating consequences.

Madonna was given an injection of Narcan, a drug used to reverse the symptoms of drug overdoses, which can also fight against septic shock brought on by sepsis, according to Radar Online.

“Everybody recovers at a different rate, and I’ve always seen myself as Superwoman,” Madonna said.

“So I was like - ‘Oh I’m going to kick this. I’m going to be good, I’m getting back into rehearsal’, but I had no strength, no energy, couldn’t get out of bed, and I didn’t know when it was gonna end.

At the time, one of her main priorities was reassuring her legion of fans about her recovery and providing updates about the Celebration World Tour.

“Thank you for your positive energy. Prayers and words of healing and encouragement. I have felt your love,” she wrote on social media.

“I’m on the road to recovery and incredibly grateful for all the blessings.

“One minute I was alive and dancing around, and the next minute I was in the ICU, unconscious for four days.

“My first thought when I woke up in the hospital was my children. My second thought was that I did not want to disappoint anyone who bought tickets for my tour.

“I also didn’t want to let down the people who worked tirelessly with me over the last few months to create my show. I hate to disappoint anyone.

“My focus now is my health and getting stronger and I assure you I’ll be back with you as soon as I can

“My current plan is to reschedule the North American leg of the tour and to begin in October in Europe.

“I couldn’t be more grateful for your care and support. Love, M.” she added.