Madonna reveals the unexpected reason she keeps octopus plushie close after two-day coma scare
LONDON, ENGLAND: Madonna has opened up about one of the most frightening periods of her life; she spent two days in a coma after suffering from sepsis in 2023. In a rare and emotional reflection, the singer shared how the experience changed her outlook on life.
One small but meaningful reminder of that journey is a stuffed octopus she keeps close, whom she calls Octavia, which she says has become a quiet source of comfort during her recovery.
Madonna talks about the Octopus plushie that helped her recover
Speaking to Vogue Italy, Madonna revealed how quickly the situation escalated into a critical medical emergency that required urgent care. She described the experience as overwhelming. She said it left both her and her loved ones shaken as she battled a serious bacterial infection that led to sepsis.
The singer was unconscious for two days while in a coma. Discussing her health scare, the Queen of Pop opened up about her recovery and introduced Octavia, the purple stuffed octopus she sleeps with each night.
She shared, "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 who was taking care of me, her name was Olivia"
"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's been with me ever since," the legendary singer said.
"The stuffing is starting to get kind of gross, but I love her. I adore her." Madonna shared that the name Octavia was inspired by her nurse, Olivia. She also did not reveal which of her three sisters - Paula, 66, Melanie, 64, and Jennifer, 58 - gifted her the stuffed octopus.
Madonna recalls waking from coma and her first words after health scare
The singer shared the first word after waking up: “No!” She added, “I’m pretty sure that was God saying to me, ‘Do you want to come? Want to come up with me?’” to which she responded, “No!”
The 'Into The Groove' singer also revealed that one of the doctors who treated her during her health scare was in the audience that night, and she spoke about how he supported her through recovery after she left the hospital. She recalled repeatedly reaching out to him for reassurance about her energy levels and returning to normal life.
“I would call in every other day and ask (my doctor) why I didn’t have any energy, when my energy was going to come back? When was I going to feel like myself again? When can I go on tour again?” she recalled.
He would simply tell her, “Go outside in the sun.” Madonna admitted that even simple actions felt difficult during her recovery, but she never stopped.
