Entertainment

Madonna reveals her source of comfort after near-death experience

Madonna was hospitalized in 2023 after she contracted life-threatening disease

Published June 30, 2026
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Madonna reveals her source of comfort after near-death experience
Madonna reveals her source of comfort after near-death experience

Madonna has finally broken her silence and talked about an octopus she lives with.

On Monday, June 29, Vague shared a video on YouTube featuring the Queen of Pop as she lifted the lid on her source of comfort, a purple stuffed octopus named Octavia.

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In the clip, the 67-year-old American singer-songwriter and record producer revealed that Octavia was gifted by her sister after her hospitalization in June 2023.

Madonna, who was admitted to a hospital due to sepsis and bacterial infection, shared that the name Octavia is inspired by a nurse named Olivia, who became her rock during her hospitalization.

She said, "This is my do-do. Her name is Octavia. I sleep with her every night. A couple of years ago I was really sick in the hospital. I was in a coma and this beautiful nurse that was taking care of me, her name was Olivia."

Olivia truly inspired the Ray of Light songstress during the time when she was at her lowest.

Madonna recalled, "She was screaming at me every day, telling me I needed to get up, I needed to get out of the ICU, and she really gave me a lot of courage and hope.”

"When I got out of the hospital and came home, my sister gave me this octopus. I looked at her and all I could think about was my nurse who took care of me,” she quipped.

"She's been with me ever since. The stuffing is starting to get kind of gross, but I love her. I adore her,” the Cherish crooner said.

It is pertinent to mention that Madonna, who has three sisters, Paula, 66, Melanie, 64, and Jennifer, 58, did not reveal which sister gifted her Octavia.

Areeba Sheikh
Areeba Sheikh is a reporter specialising in trending topics, with a focus on music, entertainment culture, and viral moments. For the past two years she has been covering wide artists, releases, and digital conversations, blending storytelling with trend analysis to capture how online buzz, fandom, and pop culture shape global audience engagement.
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