Patti Smith Says She’s ‘Resting’ After Release From Italian Hospital Following ‘Sudden Illness’

14 December, 2023

Patti Smith told fans on Thursday morning (Dec. 14) that she is “resting, as the doctor ordered,” following a brief stay in an Italian hospital to deal with what’s been described as a sudden, unnamed illness.

“This is thanking all at the hospital for their help and guidance,” Smith wrote in an Instagram post in which she is pictured standing in the middle of a group of eight hospital workers in scrubs. “I am so sorry that we had to cancel concerts in Bologna and Venice. I will return to fulfill my happy obligations. This is also to thank all the medical teams globally, who attend to the people’s needs, especially those altruistically serving under fire, all healers, physicians, nurses, attendants,” she continued.

Italian media reported that Smith was taken to the Maggiore Hospital on Tuesday due to a “sudden illness” that resulted in the cancellation of her planned show at the Teatro Duse in Bologna that night; she was reportedly released after the short visit to the ER. “With great regret, we inform the kind audience that the [Patti Smith] concert scheduled for today 12 December 2023 at 9 pm will not be able to go on stage due to a sudden illness that struck the artist,” the venue wrote in an Instagram post.

The artist/poet’s planned show tonight at the Teatro Malibran in Venice has also been cancelled.

Hospital press officer Illaria Maria Di Battista told People that the head of the emergency unit, Dr. Alesso Bertini, told her that, “Mrs. Smith was very polite and collaborative with us which made it easier for us to do our job t the bet of our capabilities.” Battista added that Bertini also said, “She [Smith] is such a person of reference for us and for so many generations. We even had the opportunity to speak about music and our favorite songs.” Another hospital source said that Smith hugged and thanked the medical staff before leaving.

A spokesperson for Smith had not returned Billboard‘s request for comment at press time.

The “People Have the Power” singer shouted out her fans in the Insta post, writing, “Also I want to thank everyone for sending messages of love and concern. I am resting, as the doctor ordered, grateful to have had such care, though being painfully aware that many are not so fortunate.”

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer is slated to perform in Chicago at the Salt Shed on Dec. 27

See Smith’s post below.