Madonna postpones tour as she's hospitalised with serious bacterial infection
She's spent time in intensive care
Last updated 29th Jun 2023
Pop icon Madonna has been forced to postpone her upcoming The Celebration World Tour, after contracting a serious bacterial infection which left her in an intensive care unit.
The 64-year-old 'Like A Prayer' singer was due to kick off her hugely-antipcated tour in July, but her manager Guy Oseary has now released a statement to reveal news of Madonna's recent health scare.
He said: "On Saturday June 24, Madonna developed a serious bacterial infection which lead to a several day stay in the ICU.
"Her health is improving, however she is still under medical care. A full recovery is expected.
"At this time we will need to pause all commitments, which includes the tour.
"We will share more details with you soon as we have them, including a new start date for the tour and for rescheduled shows."
Announcing the news earlier this year, Madonna revealed the tour, called 'Madonna: The Celebration Tour', would celebrate four decades of her music with some of her biggest hits over the last 40+ years.
The 'Like A Virgin' singer was due to kick off her show in Vancouver on 15th July, before travelling to North America and then the UK in October and December.
Madonna was scheduled to perform four dates at London's O2 Arena in October 2023, before returning due to popular demand for another two in December 2023.
Speaking about the tour at the time, Madonna said: "I am excited to explore as many songs as possible in hopes to give my fans the show they have been waiting for."
Check out the Queen of Pop's iconic looks throughout the years below:
1985
Madonna is pictured here performing on 'The Virgin Tour', her debut concert tour that she took through the US and Canada. Madonna worked with designer Maripol for her fashion through the 80s, including for the tour.
1985
Madonna performed at Live Aid, taking to the stage in Philadelphia to perform 'Into The Groove' and 'Holiday' in a multi-layered outfit.
1987
She channelled her inner Marilyn Monroe for the 'Who's That Girl World Tour', performing in the US and Canada, Japan, the UK and Europe.
1990
Madonna debuted her iconic pointy bra corset on the 'Blonde Ambition World Tour'. Designed by Jean Paul Gaultier, Madonna made a statement with the item during the song 'Express Yourself'.
1993
Madonna went for a close pixie crop hairdo on her 'Girlie Show' tour, and the fashion for this tour was designed by Dolce & Gabbana with instructions from Madonna herself to look at films My Fair Lady and Cabaret for inspiration.
1998
Madonna favoured a more natural, stripped back look to promote her seventh album, 'Ray Of Light'. The music video saw her wear a denim jacket with trousers featuring a glittered belt, as clips of her singing the song were interspersed between sped up scenes from around the world. It won a GRAMMY Award as well as five MTV VMAs.
2001
She opted for a sleeker look at the film premiere for Mean Machine with her then-husband Guy Ritchie, sporting the poker-straight, feathered hairdo that's become synonymous with the early noughties.
2004
She was back to curly blonde locks for the 'Reinvention World Tour', working with designers Stella McCartney and Karl Lagerfeld among others to create the on-stage looks, including this bejewelled corset.
2008
Emulating Guns 'N Roses bassist Slash, Madonna looked fierce in black with a top hat on her 'Sticky & Sweet Tour', on which she worked once again with Stella McCartney among others.
2012
Madonna gave the cheerleading performance of her life on the 'MDNA Tour'. Working once again with Jean Paul Gaultier, the performance was split into four themes: Transgression, Prophecy, Masculine/Feminine and Redemption and, according to Madonna, showed "the journey of a soul from darkness to light".
2013
She chose a blunt black wig for the Punk-themed Met Gala, wearing an outfit by Givenchy.
2015
Madonna caught everyone's eye with her Matador performance at The BRIT Awards - and despite a blunder with the cape, she still delivered an incredible show.
2017
Once again, Madonna turned heads at the Met Gala with a camo gown by Moschino. She told Entertainment Tonight: "We knew we wanted to go with camouflage from the very start. We started with the flak jacket, and then we worked our way down. So, you know, we're ready. We're ready to go to fashion war. It's going to be a fun night."
2019
Madonna sported an eye patch for her performance at the Eurovision Song Contest, using this era to perform as her alter ego Madame X who she saw as a "spy" or "secret agent".
2022
Madonna channelled her 80s looks for this outfit in 2022, which she wore to a roller disco event at DiscoOasis at Wolman Rink in Central Park, New York.
2024
Madonna took to the stage at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro during her 'The Celebration Tour', wearing an eye-catching and colourful corset dress and long gloves made up of the colours of Brazil's flag. Designed by Jean Paul Gaultier, it's certainly reminiscent of his cone bra corset from all those years ago.
2026
Madonna was brought out as a guest at Coachella 2026 by headliner Sabrina Carpenter, as the pair performed her songs 'Vogue' and 'Like A Prayer', with her lilac ensemble reported to be pulled from her "personal archives".
Upon hearing the news of Madonna's illness, fans across the world have been sending messages of support and well wishes.
One wrote: 'Get well soon Madonna.. we need you ❤️', with another adding: 'We love you no matter what, get well soon M, you're our world ❤️'. A third wrote: 'Wishing you a speedy recovery Queeen !!🥺🥺♥️♥️♥️'. (sic)
Another worried fan then wrote: 'You got this Madonna!!! Come onnnn 🙏🏽💕'. (sic)
At the time of writing, details of Madonna's rescheduled tour are yet to be revealed.
We wish Madge a speedy recovery!