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34+ FAMOUS CELEBRITIES LIVING WITH CHRONIC ILLNESSES

ByGabby A2024-09-23

Olivia Munn – Breast Cancer

After a normal mammogram, actress Olivia Munn was diagnosed with Luminal B
breast cancer in both breasts, a form of cancer that’s fast and aggressive. To
get ahead of it, she had a double mastectomy just one month later.



In order to be there for her son, and stay healthy for herself, this was the
best plan of action for the actress, who hopes to have another child. After
multiple surgeries and treatments, Munn is now recovering and is sharing her
story, hoping to inspire others.

Selma Blair – Multiple Sclerosis

After 40 years of living undiagnosed, Selma Blair was finally given the
confirmation that she had multiple sclerosis. The symptoms she experienced as a
child, like losing the use of her right eye, left leg, and bladder that were
seen as attention seeking, now were given the context of the disease.



At times, MS affected her ability to work, but now, Blair is reclaiming the
disease and relying on allies within the Disabled community to give her support
and encouragement, and she’s hoping to do the same for others as well.

Gina Rodriguez – Hashimoto’s Disease

At 19, Gina Rodriguez was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, which soon degenerated
into Hashimoto’s disease when the actress turned 26. Weight gain, memory issues,
fatigue, and anxiety were symptoms of this condition and continued to plague
Rodriguez’s life as she tried to ignore her health issues.


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Finally, with her career skyrocketing, she found she couldn’t ignore her
problems anymore. With a change in thyroid medication, diet, and exercise, the
actress has been able to manage the symptoms of her condition and has come to
terms with the fact that this is something she’ll be dealing with for her whole
life.

Bruce Willis – Dementia

After a full career of acting in films like Die Hard and Pulp Fiction, Bruce
Willis officially decided to take a step back from acting in 2022—or rather, his
family announced it for him as he began to show signs of aphasia, a brain
condition that essentially steals a person’s ability to communicate.


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In early 2023, the actor was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, which has
essentially made it impossible for Willis to ever return to acting. Now, his
family is advocating for more research and awareness of the disease as they deal
with Willis’ deteriorating condition.

Ariana Grande – PTSD

One of Ariana Grande’s concerts turned into a tragic event in 2017. A terrorist
detonated an explosive device in the Manchester Arena in England where Grande
was performing, which resulted in the deaths of at least 22 people and the
injuries of many others..


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Following this event, the singer explained that a brain scan revealed she
suffered PTSD as a result of this attack. This stress has significantly
influenced Ariana Grande's life and career, shaping much of her subsequent work
in music and advocacy.

Shannen Doherty – Breast Cancer

Back in 2015, the Beverly Hills 90210 actress Shannon Doherty was diagnosed with
breast cancer. She underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy to try
and kill the remaining cancer cells that had spread to the rest of her body.


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Unfortunately, in 2020, after four years of remission, the breast cancer had
come back, spreading to her brain and becoming a terminal condition. Despite the
tragic news, the actress remains in high spirits, continuing to act and host a
podcast, where she’ll share her story about battling cancer.

Catherine Zeta-Jones – Bipolar Disorder

It took 41 years for bipolar disorder to show its true colors in Catherine
Zeta-Jones’ life. Stemming from the stress that came from her husband’s battle
with cancer and an intense court battle with her husband’s ex-wife, Zeta-Jones
checked herself into a mental health facility in 2011 to address the symptoms of
this mental illness.


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Though the disease is lifelong, Zeta-Jones’ willingness to share her diagnosis
with others allows folks everywhere to claim their struggles and seek the help
they need.

Nick Cannon – Lupus

After experiencing shortness of breath and intense pain on a family vacation,
actor and comedian Nick Cannon went to the hospital, only to be diagnosed with
lupus, an autoimmune disease that could affect many areas of the body.


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Following his diagnosis, Cannon has had to change just about everything in his
lifestyle, including blood transfusions, chemotherapy, and hospitalizations over
the last decade. Now, he’s using his voice and his experience to raise awareness
for others who have the disease and help them live with it.

Melanie Griffith – Epilepsy

During the Cannes Film Festival back in 2011, Melanie Griffith suffered two
strokes that eventually caused doctors to diagnose her with epilepsy. Though it
was hard to find the real cause, eventually doctors explained that stress was
the major trigger for Griffith’s seizures.


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After divorcing and focusing on finding ways to reduce her stress, Griffith has
been generally seizure-free and is now focused on helping to contribute to
awareness and discussion of epilepsy.

George Clooney – Severe Pain

While filming a movie scene in 2005, George Clooney sustained a severe head
injury during a stunt, which resulted in spinal damage and a subsequent brain
injury. The pain that followed was unbearable, but Clooney approached his
recovery with resilience and determination.


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Instead of relying on painkillers, aware of his family's history with addiction,
Clooney focused on therapy, memory exercises to prevent cognitive decline, and
several operations to alleviate his excruciating headaches. Despite these
significant challenges, Clooney has managed not only to continue acting, but
also to further build and enhance his illustrious career.

Rob McElhenney – Learning Disabilities

At the age of 46, Rob McElhenney revealed on the internet that he’d been
diagnosed with “a host of neurodevelopmental disorders and learning
disabilities.” Though it’s not been confirmed just what those disabilities are,
they could include behavioral and cognitive disorders that make certain
functions more difficult.


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A difficult thing to admit, the actor wanted to share the news with the world to
remind folks they’re not alone, and that there just might be a medical
explanation for things that never seemed to click, no matter what age you are.

Wendy Williams – Aphasia and Frontotemporal Dementia

After experiencing a few concerning symptoms, Wendy Williams was diagnosed with
aphasia and frontotemporal dementia in 2022, both of which affect communication
abilities and behavioral changes. These syndromes come in addition to Williams’
previously diagnosed lymphedema and Graves’ disease.


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In order to fully focus on her changing health, Williams took a step back from
the public eye, ending her talk show, and putting all of her time into her
treatment. Despite the challenges she faces, Williams remains determined to
adapt to her new reality.

Michelle Williams – Depression

Though Michelle Williams experienced depression as a teenager, the familiar
mental illness found her again throughout her career with Destiny’s Child, and
more recently in her relationship. While she thought depression was behind her,
Williams checked herself into a treatment facility to regain control over her
mental health


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Now, with a heightened awareness of her mental well-being, she is committed to
therapy, and determined to live her life to the fullest. Her journey serves as a
powerful reminder that seeking help is a courageous and essential step toward
healing.

Halle Berry – Type 1 Diabetes

It was during her time on the set of the television series Living Dolls that
Halle Berry collapsed and slipped into a diabetic coma, leading to her diagnosis
of Type 1 Diabetes. This was an unexpected and life-changing moment for the
rising star, who had no idea she’d had the disease before she entered her early
20s.


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Since then, managing the disease has been a constant challenge, requiring her to
monitor her blood sugar and maintain a strict diet and exercise routine. Despite
these struggles, Berry continues to thrive in her career, proving that diabetes
doesn’t define her success.

Céline Dion – Stiff Person Syndrome

In an emotional video, Céline Dion bravely shared her diagnosis of stiff person
syndrome, a rare and debilitating disorder that causes severe muscle stiffness
and painful spasms throughout the body. This heartbreaking revelation has forced
the beloved superstar to cancel some of her tour dates.


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Despite these overwhelming challenges, she is determined not to lose hope.
Céline is now working diligently with a sports medicine therapist, focusing on
building her strength in hopes of returning to the stage. However, with the
syndrome making even everyday tasks incredibly difficult, a full recovery
remains uncertain.

Magic Johnson – HIV

One of the most well-known basketball players for the Lakers, Magic Johnson
unfortunately had to cut his career short in 1991 after learning that he had
tested positive for HIV. This was a hard thing for him to admit, and Johnson had
to call a press conference to announce his decision and his diagnosis.


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Though we were still learning about HIV at the time of his diagnosis, we know a
lot more today about the disease. Thirty years later, Johnson has kept his
disease at bay with a mix of diet, exercise, treatment, and medication,
rendering it almost undetectable.

Alan Alda – Parkinson's

Alan Alda has been dealing with Parkinson’s disease for almost 10 years now, but
he hasn’t let it ruin his outlook on life. Though tying his shoes has become a
bit harder, and life has become a bit of a puzzle in need of solving, at 87
years old, Alda is simply here for the ride, joining the million Americans who
have the disease.


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Parkinson’s hasn’t even stopped Alda from hosting a podcast, being with his
wife, and working out every morning. He’s simply looking for ways to slow the
progress of the disease.

Michael Bolton – Brain Tumor

After an uber-successful music career, Michael Bolton faced an unexpected health
setback when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor in late 2023, forcing him to
cancel several tour dates and performances.


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Currently in recovery, Bolton is focused on his health and is optimistic about
his future. He has expressed gratitude for the medical team and his fans'
unwavering support during this challenging time. Fortunately, the surgery went
well, and Bolton is looking forward to returning to touring and performing his
hit songs soon.

Lena Dunham – Endometriosis

Endometriosis affects approximately one in 10 women, and Lena Dunham is another
actress who suffered from the painful condition. Since endometriosis can leave
women unable to have children, Dunham took things into her own hands, and
underwent a hysterectomy surgery in 2017, which removed her cervix, uterus, and
fallopian tubes.


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The actress has always been open and upfront about her condition and believes
it's truly changed her relationship with her body—in a beautiful,
recognizing-her-own-independence sort of way. With no more pain and no more
endometriosis, the actress is happy with her decision.

Tom Hanks – Type 2 Diabetes

Tom Hanks came clean in 2013 that the high blood sugar levels he’d been
suffering from for two decades had been diagnosed as Type 2 Diabetes. After
struggling with his weight both in general, and for the multiple roles he’s
played in movies, Hanks found that the early signs he’d seen were actually
indications of the disease.


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With a more balanced diet and exercise routine, Hanks is figuring out how to
live with the disease, as many other millions of Americans do.

Ozzy Osbourne – Parkinson's

The famous rocker has had to take some time off from touring due to his struggle
with Parkinson’s. Though Ozzy Osbourne was diagnosed back in 2003, it’s gotten
harder to deal with, especially as Osbourne has dealt with other medical issues
at the same time, like surgery for his neck and hospitalization for the flu.


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Still, though it’s been a struggle, Osbourne simply can’t imagine his life
without his career and fans and has expressed a desire to get back on the road,
even if he has to be “nailed to a board and wheeled on,” as he told The New York
Post.

Jamie-Lynn Sigler – Multiple Sclerosis

When she was just 20 years old, Jamie-Lynn Sigler was diagnosed with multiple
sclerosis, though she kept it a secret for 16 years. Her diagnosis required
accommodations and being gentle with herself when she has days that she can’t
walk or run.


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Now, after years of living with the disease, she’s found ways to accept it and
practices meditation to reduce the pain. In addition, she’s become a
spokesperson for those with MS, creating an easy-to-follow process for dealing
with a diagnosis of the disease.

Sarah Hyland – Kidney Dysplasia

Sarah Hyland has been dealing with kidney issues from the time she was born.
Since her kidneys didn’t properly develop in the womb, she’s suffered from
kidney dysplasia, which makes painful cysts form on her kidneys.


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When she was 21, she had a kidney transplant from her father, but she’s had to
deal with the complications and aftermath that come with this kind of condition.
Still, she’s open and honest about her experience, not shying away from posting
about her health and the things she’s had to miss out on because of it.

Michael Phelps – Depression

With such an intense training and competing schedule, Michael Phelps suffered
from the negative consequences that come from wanting to succeed and not always
reaching those goals. Even when he did bring back gold medals from the Olympics,
Phelps fell into a state of depression that he couldn’t shake.


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Finally, at his lowest point, when he was considering taking his own life,
Phelps sought out treatment, which helped him talk about his feelings and find
ways to manage his stress. Now, he’s grateful he got the help he needed and is
happy to share his experience with mental illness with others.

Christina Applegate – Multiple Sclerosis

Though her Netflix show Dead To Me was doing well, the filming had to stop for
about five months to allow Christina Applegate to get the treatment she needed
once she was diagnosed with MS, or Multiple Sclerosis, in 2021.


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The condition causes numbness, tingling, mood changes, and pain, among other
symptoms. Now having to adapt to a life of canes and wheelchairs, Applegate is
struggling to accept her condition, showing us that sometimes, not being okay,
is okay. Gabrielle Union – Adenomyosis

After years of struggling to get pregnant, and dealing with both the emotional
and physical toll of eight or nine miscarriages, Gabrielle Union finally got the
answers she’d been looking for with a diagnosis of adenomyosis, a form of
endometriosis that affects the uterus.


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Though the journey to her diagnosis was fraught with frustration and despair, it
also ignited a fierce determination within her. In 2018, she and her husband
Dwayne Wade welcomed a daughter into their lives via a surrogate—and motherhood
is everything she wanted it to be.

AdvertisementAdvertisement Phil Collins – Nerve Damage

For almost 15 years, Phil Collins’ health has been on the decline. In 2009, the
musician injured the vertebrae in his upper neck, which left him with nerve
damage that affected his hands.


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Add to that his diabetes and pancreatitis, and Collins has worried fans with his
declining health condition. Still, he insisted on joining Genesis for their
previous tour, showing up on stage in a wheelchair. However, that just might be
his last performance ever, a fact that both comforts and saddens fans.

Selena Gomez – Lupus

Often looked at as an invisible disease, due to its hidden symptoms and
difficult diagnosis, lupus affects quite a few people—including Selena Gomez.
After a kidney transplant and taking tons of medication, Gomez has been able to
address some of the issues that lupus causes.


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As one of the most followed people on Instagram and a familiar face in the
media, she’s taken the opportunity to share with others her vulnerable journey
and encourage folks to be proud of their health and life experiences.

Halsey – Endometriosis

Back in 2016, Halsey was officially diagnosed with endometriosis after
experiencing a miscarriage. Since then, she’s undergone multiple surgeries to
treat it and has been open about the pain and experience of having the
condition.


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Though she was able to give birth to her son, her other autoimmune diseases like
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Sjogren’s syndrome, mast cell activation syndrome
(MCAS), and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), as well as her
endometriosis have only seemed to get worse, Now, she’s focused on figuring out
how to fix and reduce her health issues.

Lady Gaga – Fibromyalgia

While Lady Gaga has performed across the world and topped music charts, she’s
also been suffering from a difficult disorder called fibromyalgia, or a chronic
illness that causes severe pain all throughout the body.


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Though her diagnosis only came in 2017, she’d been suffering with it for years.
The pop star has even had to cancel tour dates because of it. Without the
ability to discover it through medical testing, fibromyalgia can be a
frustrating disease for many, but Gaga is focused on bringing more awareness and
information about the illness to the public.

Frankie Muniz – Ischemic Attacks

The former Malcolm in the Middle actor has lived quite the busy life since he
was kid, going from acting to drumming, to race car driving, to dancing on
Dancing With The Stars. But during this time, Muniz has also been living with a
puzzling condition.


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Transient ischemic attacks are what plague Muniz, which occur when blood supply
to the brain is temporarily cut off. Though there isn’t exactly a medical
explanation, Muniz has come to accept the attacks as a part of life and has
learned to notice the symptoms.

Michael J. Fox – Parkinson's Disease

At the height of his career in the early ‘90s, Michael J. Fox noticed a tremor
in his pinky that his doctor would soon diagnose as early-onset Parkinson’s.
Though he kept his diagnosis a secret for around eight years, he came clean to
the public and has been open about his experience ever since.


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While the doctors believed he’d only be able to act for about one more decade
following his diagnosis, he defied the odds and only retired in 2020, 30 years
after his diagnosis. These days, he mostly stays out of the public eye, but he’s
constantly advocating for those with the disease.

Charles III – Pancreatic Cancer

King Charles III went in for surgery regarding an enlarged prostate, only to
come out of it with a diagnosis of cancer, later revealed to be pancreatic
cancer. Though he’s still making appearances, folks believe his cancer is
actually much worse than the palace is letting on.


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In fact, sources believe King Charles has only been given two years to live, a
truly unfortunate fact, since he was only coronated in May 2023. Hopefully, he
proves them wrong and outlives the expected life expectancy.

Sarah Ferguson – Breast and Skin Cancer

The Duchess of York went through a lot in the year 2023, when she was diagnosed
with both skin and breast cancer. After getting a mastectomy to remove her
breast cancer, she also had to undergo treatment for melanoma.


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Still, despite the diagnoses, Sarah Ferguson remains in good spirits, speaking
about how lucky she is to wake up alive every day and emphasizing the importance
of checking every unusual spot on your body early before it becomes something
more concerning.

Jeremy Renner – Intense Injuries

After a tragic New Year’s accident that involved saving his nephew from a snow
plow, Jeremy Renner was rushed to the hospital, sustaining major injuries. With
30 broken bones and a collapsed lung, the actor had to undergo two surgeries.


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For a while, he was in critical condition, but Renner has been recovering, going
through physical therapy. In the end, he’s just grateful the plow didn’t cause
his brain to swell or puncture any of his organs. Now, he’s making great
progress, and looking forward to getting back to his normal life.

Frank Caprio – Pancreatic Cancer

One of America’s most beloved television stars, Frank Caprio was a judge whose
judicial work was televised on Caught in Providence. But at 87 years old, Caprio
was diagnosed with a nasty form of pancreatic cancer.


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Remarkably, after just seven months of radiation treatments, the celebrated
judge announced that he was cancer-free. This joyous news brought immense relief
and happiness to Caprio and his large, loving family, which includes his
children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren.

Morgan Freeman – Fibromyalgia

After experiencing a car crash in 2008, Morgan Freeman was left with a broken
arm, elbow, and intense shoulder damage. Years later, the pain never left his
body, and instead led to a diagnosis of fibromyalgia that causes shots of pain
throughout his arm and hand.


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As a result of his condition, Freeman has had to give up flying jets and driving
boats, beloved hobbies he took up in his 60s. Still, he does as well as he can,
and wears compression gloves to minimize symptoms and allow him to live his
life.

Advertisement Advertisement Shania Twain – Lyme Disease

Shania Twain was bitten by a tick back in 2003, contracting Lyme disease that
left her with debilitating nerve damage to her vocal cords. The singer was
devastated, convinced she’d never sing again.


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It took years for her to figure out that Lyme disease was the disease affecting
her voice, and multiple surgeries to try and correct the damage. Luckily, the
treatment allowed her to return to the recording studio and the stage, but her
struggle with the disease shows its varied and unusual side effects.

Louis Walsh – Rare Blood Cancer

When a trip to the hospital revealed that Louis Walsh had a rare form of blood
cancer, the celebrity host got a reality check he wasn’t expecting. Waldenström
macroglobulinemia is a rare form of blood cancer, and Walsh had to undergo
immediate treatment to get the cancer out of his body.


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Though it seems now that the former X Factor judge is in recovery, the whole
ordeal was a shock to his system. Still, he’s determined to move on with his
life, even signing up to participate in Celebrity Big Brother.

Demi Lovato – Bipolar Disorder

After joining the world of Hollywood at a young age, Demi Lovato struggled with
many personal challenges before finally receiving inpatient treatment in 2011,
and receiving a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, which marked a turning point in
her life.


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Since her diagnosis, she’s continued to use her platform to share her own
journey and advocate for mental health awareness. She’s also partnered with
mental health organizations to encourage folks to speak up and seek help, all
while continuing with her career.

Anthony Anderson – Type 2 Diabetes

Over 20 years ago, actor Anthony Anderson was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.
However, this disease hasn't gotten him down. Instead, he’s become a major
advocate for awareness and education about the disease.


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Anderson has had two decades to learn the best routines and diet for him to live
his life as normally as possible. Now, he’s shaping the opinions and behaviors
of the public with his campaign “Get Real About Diabetes”.

Heather Rae El Moussa – Hashimoto's Disease

Selling Sunset star Heather Rae El Moussa was experiencing major fatigue and
body aches after giving birth to her son, only to discover that her symptoms
were actually a result of Hashimoto's Disease, the autoimmune disorder that
attacks healthy tissues.


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Though El Moussa was surprised by the diagnosis, with the right medication and
the knowledge that her symptoms had an explanation, she’s feeling much better,
and happy to share both her journey and her personal life with the public.

Richard Simmons – Skin Cancer

During a routine dermatologist visit, Richard Simmons was diagnosed with
cancerous cells on his face. Fortunately, with precise treatment, the doctor
removed the affected areas without leaving any scars.

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