Madonna Reveals the Sweet Story Behind Octavia, the Stuffed Animal Octopus She Sleeps with 'Every Night'
Madonna Reveals the Sweet Story Behind Octavia, the Stuffed Animal Octopus She Sleeps with 'Every Night'
Rachel DeSantisMon, June 29, 2026 at 8:41 PM UTC
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Madonna and her stuffed animal OctaviaCredit: Vogue/YouTube
Madonna revealed she sleeps with a purple stuffed octopus named Octavia, gifted by her sister after her hospitalization
The name Octavia was inspired by a nurse named Olivia who motivated Madonna during her recovery from a bacterial infection
Madonna is preparing to release her 15th studio album Confessions II, featuring a song co-written with her daughter Lourdes
Madonna is opening up about a surprising source of comfort that holds a special place in her heart — and in her bedroom.
The Queen of Pop gave Vogue a peek inside her London home in a video shared to YouTube on Monday, June 29, and in doing so introduced viewers to Octavia, the purple stuffed octopus she sleeps with each night.
Madonna, 67, revealed that Octavia was given to her by one of her sisters after she was hospitalized in June 2023 with a bacterial infection and sepsis.
“This is my do-do. Her name is Octavia. I sleep with her every night,” Madonna said. “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.”
The “Bring Your Love” singer said Olivia was a very inspirational figure in her life at the time, and pushed her to heal.
“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,” she said. “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.”
The name Octavia is inspired by Olivia's name, Madonna explained. She did not specify which sister gave her Octavia, but Madonna has three sisters: Paula, 66, Melanie, 64, and Jennifer, 58.
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“She's been with me ever since,” she said. “The stuffing is starting to get kind of gross, but I love her. I adore her.”
Madonna spent several days in the ICU and 48 hours in an induced coma due to the bacterial infection. She was forced to pause her tour at the time, but made a full recovery and returned to the stage a few months later.
She told the crowd during the tour that it was a “miracle” she was back on stage doing what she loves.
Madonna in Times Square in New York City on June 4, 2026.Credit: XNY/Star Max/GC Images
"Less than four months ago, I was in a hospital and I was unconscious, and people were thinking, predicting that I might not make it," she said, according to a video taken by a fan. "So, it's a f---ing miracle that I'm here right now."
The star is currently gearing up for the July 3 release of Confessions II, her 15th studio album. The album is a sequel to her 2005 record Confessions on a Dance Floor, and reunites her with producer Stuart Price.
She told Interview magazine that one of the songs on the album was written with her daughter, Lourdes “Lola” Leon, 29.
"She approached me about writing a song together as a way to heal our relationship,” Madonna explained.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
