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Summary British singer conceded that he had almost died after contracting pneumonia during Austria tour.
Fighting back tears, singer George Michael appeared outside his London home Friday to acknowledge that he had nearly died during his monthlong battle with pneumonia.He said it had been touch and go while he was in the intensive care unit of a Vienna hospital battling an extremely dangerous form of pneumonia but that his representatives had played it down to avoid alarming his fans.They spent three weeks keeping me alive basically, said the singer, who appeared to have lost weight during his ordeal.I dont want to take you through all of it because some of it I want to protect my family from and Im sure Ill get it all written down but it was by far the worst month of my life.He seemed short of breath and at times had trouble speaking during his 10-minute appearance.Im very weak but I feel amazing, the pop star said, wearing a gray overcoat and scarf as he stood in front of a decorated Christmas tree outside his imposing red brick home in the Highgate neighborhood of north London.The singer behind hits such as Careless Whisper, Faith and Father Figure said the experience would make him more spiritual and appreciative of his life.I have an amazing, amazing life and if I wasnt spiritual enough before the last four five weeks then I certainly am now, he said.Michael seemed overcome with emotion as he expressed gratitude for being alive and thanked the medical staff in Vienna for taking such good care of him.I really, really, really, really, from the bottom of my heart, thank everybody who sent messages and everybody in that IC unit that made sure Im still here today, Michael said.Michael did not provide many medical details about his illness, which forced him to cancel an extensive European tour.
