The Touching Gift That Made Madonna Realize 'How Lucky I Am to Be Alive'
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Pop star Madonna is recovering after being hospitalized for a "serious bacterial infection."
Her longtime manager Guy Oseary gifted her a framed Polaroid that made her realize "how lucky I am to be alive."
The photo, taken by Andy Warhol, shows Keith Haring wearing a jacket painted with a portrait of Michael Jackson,
Madonna has been taking stock recently after an alarming health scare. Last month, the pop icon was hospitalized for what was described as a "serious bacterial infection." In her recovery, friends and loved ones have tried to provide comfort and well-wishes to remind the star that she isn't alone in her struggles.
As The Independent notes, Madonna's longtime manager, Guy Oseary, was one such friend to reach out. And the "get well" gift he sent along reminded the "Like A Prayer" singer of the many friends she's made along the way that are no longer with us.
Madonna took to Instagram this week to spotlight the very special framed Polaroid that Oseary had gifted her. Beginning her caption with the sentiment that "Love from family and friends is the best medicine," the pop icon explained what was depicted in the picture, and it involves three others who were pop icons themselves.
"If you zoom into this picture I am holding, you will see a Polaroid taken by Andy Warhol of Keith Haring wearing a jacket with Michael Jackson's face painted on it," Madonna notes, describing the trio as "a perfect triangle of brilliance."
Warhol, who died in 1987 due to complications from surgery, had met Madonna through her past relationship with Jean-Michel Basquiat and is referenced in Warhol's posthumously published diary. Madonna would also provide inspiration for collaborative works between Warhol and the aforementioned Keith Haring, another central figure of the New York art scene who befriended the pop star. Haring, an activist pop artist, would tragically die at 31 in 1990 from complications from AIDS.
And naturally, the figure depicted on Haring's jacket, Michael Jackson, also has a rich history with Madonna. The two were the dueling monarchs atop the 80s pop charts and had a brief relationship that included a famous Oscars appearance. When the King of Pop died in 2009 from acute propofol intoxication, Madonna took the stage at that year's MTV VMAs to lead a tribute to the pop star.
"I sobbed when I opened this gift because I realized how lucky I am to be alive," Madonna said of seeing the Polaroid for the first time. "And how fortunate I am to have known these people and so many others who are also gone."
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