Madonna happy to be alive after spell in ICU: “It’s a miracle I’m here”

Madonna’s long-awaited Celebration Tour got underway in London on 14 October, with the Queen of Pop having just performed shows five and six of the 78-date tour in Antwerp. And she had an emotional revelation for fans in the Belgian city, claiming the bacterial infection she suffered earlier this year, which caused her to spend several days in ICU, could have ended in catastrophe.

Fan footage from Saturday’s show captured her explaining to the crowd just how grateful she was to have the opportunity to perform again.

Madonna: “It’s a miracle to be here”

“Less than four months ago, I was in a hospital, and I was unconscious, and people thinking – predicting — that I might not make it.

“It’s a fucking miracle that I’m here right now. I must tell you, I don’t feel really well right now, but I can’t complain ‘cause I’m alive. Thank God for my children and all of you for your love and support. I really appreciate it.”

Tour dates rescheduled after ICU stay

In June, her manager Guy Oseary revealed via an Instagram post that the “Material Girl” singer had developed a serious bacterial infection which led to a several-day stay in the ICU [intensive care unit].”

He also stated: “Her health is improving, however she is still under medical care. A full recovery is expected.” Despite Madonna’s claims of “not feeling really well right now,” that does look to have been the case with The Celebration Tour now in full flow.

When is the North American leg of The Celebration Tour?

As a result of her stay in hospital, the 65-year-old was forced to postpone the start of her tour, which had been due to begin in New York City in August rather than London in October. The North American leg will instead begin on 13 December in Brooklyn and finish in Mexico City on 24 April.

Although the vast majority of shows were rescheduled, five concerts originally planned in Tulsa, Nashville, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Phoenix were ultimately cancelled.