The Queen of Pop has addressed her fans for the first time after being admitted to an intensive care unit late last month and made an announcement about her upcoming world tour.
Madonna is recovering after being hospitalised with a “serious bacterial infection”.
“I have felt your love. I’m on the road to recovery and incredibly grateful for all the blessings in my life,” the 64-year-old wrote in an Instagram post on Monday.
“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.”
The illness required Madonna to postpone her nearly sold out, 84-date “Celebration” tour that was due to start July 15.
Her manager, who first said the superstar was in the hospital on June 28, had said “a full recovery is expected.”
The next morning, it was confirmed Madonna had returned home and was continuing to recover. “She’s feeling better and following doctor’s orders and resting,” said a source close to the Grammy winner, PEOPLE reported at the time.
On Monday, Madonna told fans she “couldn’t be more grateful for your care and support”.
“My focus now is my health and getting stronger and I assure you, I’ll be back with you as soon as I can!” Madonna added.
She said that her current plan was to begin the European leg of her tour – due to start October 14 in London – as scheduled, and rebook the earlier stateside shows for later dates.
Shortly after Madonna released her statement, touring giant LiveNation confirmed that North American dates scheduled prior to October 8 would be “unfortunately postponed.”
The company said a new calendar was forthcoming “as soon as possible.”
Stops in the United States are to include Detroit, Chicago, Miami and New York, the city where her storied rise to superstardom began.
The Grammy-winning icon behind classics including “Like A Virgin” and “Material Girl” has asserted incalculable influence as one of music’s top stars.
In 2020 Madonna underwent hip replacement surgery following an injury sustained on her “Madame X” tour.
Over the weekend Madonna was spotted in good spirits and walking with a friend in New York, according to images first posted by an entertainment podcaster on TikTok.
– With AFP