Madonna has revealed she is “on the road to recovery” after a serious bacterial infection saw her rushed to intensive care.
The Queen of Pop was forced to postpone her world tour The Celebration, marking the 40th anniversary of her musical career, after being struck down by the illness on 24 June.
The 64-year-old hitmaker spent several days in hospital before returning home to recover.
In an update on Instagram, Madonna said she was “on the road to recovery” and “incredibly grateful for all the blessings in my life”.
She thanked fans for their “positive energy, prayers and words of healing and encouragement”, telling her 19 million followers: “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 is now my health and getting stronger and I assure you, I’ll be back with you as soon as I can!”
Madonna thanked fans for their outpouring of love, telling them: “I couldn’t be more grateful for your love and support”.
The North American leg of her tour – which was due to begin in Vancouver, Canada, on 15 July – will now be rescheduled, the singer posted.
Instead, she will make her first appearance on the European leg, which is scheduled to begin with four sell-out shows at London’s O2 Arena on 14 October.
Madonna’s world tour was due to celebrate her 40 years in the music business. Pic: AP
The music icon’s Instagram post was liked more than 100,000 times within less than an hour and flooded with well-wishes.
Designer Donatella Versace posted: “We are with you all the way Madonna. Thinking of you and sending love, power and hugs for a speedy recovery.
“The world can’t wait to see you on stage again. I love you very much.”
Madonna, seen at the Grammy Awards in LA in February, was rushed to hospital in June
Ru Paul’s Drag Race judge Michelle Visage wrote: “What we care about is…. YOU! You take care of you and the rest will fall in line. WE LOVE YOU”.
Visage was among a host of famous figures who sent messages of support to Madonna after her illness was revealed, including actresses Zooey Deschanel, Rita Wilson, Rosanna Arquette and Isla Fisher.
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Madonna’s manager, Guy Oseary, announced the star developed a “serious bacterial infection” which led to a “several day stay in ICU” on 28 June.
He posted on Instagram: “Her health is improving, however she is still under medical care. A full recovery is expected.”
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Madonna has had a number of previous health scares.
In 2019, she cancelled dates on her Madame X tour on “doctors’ orders” after suffering “overwhelming pain”.
She also pulled out of the first London show of the Madame X tour, scheduled for 27 January 2020, after revealing she had been “plagued” with injury since the beginning of the tour.
