Madonna has confirmed that she suffered from a life-threatening disease that left her in intensive care for four days. 

The Queen of Pop, 67, was rushed to hospital with a bacterial infection in mid-2023 and her world tour was paused.

She took to her social media at the time to tell fans she was on the road to recovery and had been released from hospital. 

Two years later, in her debut podcast interview, Madonna shared that she had contracted an infection that progressed into sepsis, leading her to spend four days in the ICU, relying on a ventilator.   

Speaking on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast, Madonna said: ‘I was rehearsing for a tour, and I got a bacterial infection. 

‘I was lively and dancing, and the next thing I knew, I ended up unconscious in the ICU for four days. Once discharged, they removed the ventilator, and I began breathing independently. I had sepsis, which is a life-threatening condition.

Madonna has confirmed that she suffered from a life-threatening disease that left her in intensive care for four days (Seen in February 2023)

Two years later, in her debut podcast interview, Madonna shared that she had contracted an infection that progressed into sepsis, leading her to spend four days in the ICU, relying on a ventilator.

‘Everybody recovers at a different rate, and I’ve always seen myself as Superwoman. 

‘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.’

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused when the body releases chemicals to fight an infection.

These chemicals damage the body’s own tissues and organs and can lead to shock, organ failure and death.

Organ failure and death are more likely if sepsis is not recognised early and treated immediately.

Madonna said back in 2023 she was on the road to recovery and said she planned to reschedule her Celebration Tour for later in the year year.

She wrote at the time: ‘Thank you for your positive energy. Prayers and words of healing and encouragement. I have felt your love.

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

The Queen of Pop, 67, was rushed to hospital with a bacterial infection in mid-2023 and her world tour was paused

Speaking on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast, Madonna said: ‘I was rehearsing for a tour, and I got a bacterial infection

‘One minute I was alive and dancing around, and the next minute I was in the ICU, unconscious for four days,’ she said

‘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.’

Madonna was given an injection of the drug Narcan – commonly used to reverse suspected drug overdoses – to combat acute septic shock before she was rushed on  to hospital, reported Radar Online. 

The singer was left bedridden as she remained ‘weak and very tired’ following the ordeal, before eventually making a full recovery.

Elsewhere in the recent podcast, Madonna revealed she suffered a harrowing private struggle during her last Australian tour.

In an Instagram post in 2023, Madonna wrote: ‘Thank you for your positive energy. Prayers and words of healing and encouragement. I have felt your love’

She was last Down Under back in 2016 on a tour that was marred by middling reviews and frequent lateness.

Almost ten years on, Madonna has revealed the mental toll that dealing with a bitter custody dispute over son Rocco with ex-husband Guy Ritchie had taken on her.

Speaking on the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast, Madonna admitted that the dispute affected her so much, she even contemplated suicide.

‘There were moments in my life where I wanted to cut my arms off,’ the pop queen candidly revealed.

‘I actually contemplated suicide and that probably sounds really weird coming from me because I’m not emo.’

SIX MAJOR SIGNS OF SEPSIS

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused when the body releases chemicals to fight an infection.

These chemicals damage the body’s own tissues and organs and can lead to shock, organ failure and death. 

Organ failure and death are more likely if sepsis is not recognized early and treated immediately.

Sepsis infects an estimated 55,000 Australians each year, killing between 5,000 and 9,000 making it more than four times deadlier than the road toll.

The symptoms can look like gastro or flu and can become deadly, rapidly.

The six major signs of something potentially deadly can be identified by the acronym ‘SEPSIS’:

• Slurred speech or confusion, lethargy, disorientation
• Extreme shivering or muscle pain, fever or low temperature
• Pressing a rash doesn’t make it fade
• Severe breathlessness, rapid breathing
• Inability to pass urine for several hours 
• Skin that’s mottled or discoloured  

Children may also show convulsions or fits, and a rash that doesn’t fade when you press it – and more than 40 per cent of cases occur in children under five. 

Anyone who develops these symptoms should seek medical help urgently — and ask doctors: ‘Could this be sepsis?’ 

Sepsis is a leading cause of avoidable death killing about 10,000 Australians each year

The early symptoms of sepsis can be easily confused with more mild conditions, making it difficult to diagnose. 

A high temperature (fever), chills and shivering, a fast heartbeat and rapid breathing are also indicators. 

A patient can rapidly deteriorate if sepsis is missed early on, so quick diagnosis and treatment is vital – yet this rarely happens. 

In the early stages, sepsis can be mistaken for a chest infection, flu or upset stomach. 

It is most common and dangerous in older adults, pregnant women, children younger than one, people with chronic conditions or those who have weakened immune systems.