15 Celebrities with Severe Medical Conditions
Celebrities are usually misunderstood and imagined as larger than life because of their glamorous status. It is very difficult to imagine them facing any sickness and health conditions. Listed below are 15 celebrities who are bravely facing the challenges of their health as well as managing a highly followed public profile.
15. Elisabeth Hasselbeck
Elisabeth Hasselbeck is suffering from Celiac Disease. People know her from the show “Survivor” and as a former co-host of “The View.” She has been raising awareness about the disease since the beginning of her diagnosis. She even has a book to her credit named, “The G-Free Diet: A Gluten-Free Survival Guide” creating awareness about maintaining a healthy lifestyle since 2008.
14. Kathy Bates
Kathy Bates the actress from “The American Horror Story” was diagnosed with both ovarian and breast cancer in 2003 and 2012 respectively. This brave lady went had to undergo mastectomy twice. If the double cancer diagnosis was not enough, she has been diagnosed with lymphedema in both of her arms although she is free of her cancers. It was the double mastectomy that led to this diagnosis. Even with her serious medical conditions, she refused to back out and still continues to work.
13. Pamela Anderson
The famous Baywatch star Pamela Anderson was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. She also chose to her celebrity status to make people aware of this condition. She raised awareness about the infected tattoo needles – the place where she contracted the disease in 2002 while sharing the needles with her ex-husband Tommy Lee Jones. Although doctors predicted the life expectancy of 10 years initially, later Anderson got proper treatment and overcame her illness.
12. Michael J. Fox
The “Back to the Future” fame, Michael J. Fox has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease since 1991 but he made this status public in 1998. Since then, he has launched many campaigns raising awareness about the disease through his foundation named after him. He also attended many seminars and programs with the famous Boxer Mohammad Ali who fought this disease till his death in 2016.
11. Montel Williams
Montel Williams is a multi-talented artist. He was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1999. Since the beginning of his diagnosis, Williams has worked hard towards creating awareness programs related to the disease. He also launched “The Montel Williams MS Foundation.” The organization’s main focus is on research and educational programs about Multiple Sclerosis. Although, there is no concrete cure but the symptoms of this disease can be managed and Williams manages to live a normal life by keeping himself physically active.
10. Shannen Doherty
Shannen Doherty, the actress from “Beverly Hills 90210” and supporting actress from “Charmed” suffers from Collin’s disease since 1999. The beautiful actress also overcame breast cancer diagnosed in 2015. She underwent medical treatments including chemotherapy. The courageous actress continues to work in the industry even after facing serious health issues.
9. Lil Wayne
The famous rapper has been suffering from epilepsy since he was a child. The disease has no cure and different environmental conditions trigger epileptic fits and seizures. His health condition became public when he suffered a chain of successive seizures and he was hospitalized for a number of days. The media associated his condition to drug use but this claim was denounced by Wayne and he revealed his health condition.
8. Missy Elliott
Rapper, singer, and a musical superstar was diagnosed with Graves’ disease in 2011 which she discovered due to an excruciating leg pain that led to an accident. She has had proper treatment and fortunately for her fan, she is back on the music scene.
7. Nick Cannon
Nick Cannon is famous for his appearance on Nickelodeon and his marriage to Mariah Carey. He is also a successful businessman with his own line of headphones and numerous acting roles. In spite of various conditions that Nick Cannon suffers including Lupus and the treatment of minor kidney failure in 2012, followed by a pulmonary embolism. It was in March 2015 that Canon publicly announced that his kidney problems are due to Lupus.
6. Halle Berry
Academy Award winner Halle Berry continues to entertain audiences, years after year though she suffers from Type 1 Diabetes. Many people take it lightly because it is a very common but this disease can lead to sudden drops in blood sugar which is extremely dangerous. In fact, in 1989, Berry slipped into a diabetic coma during the taping of Living Dolls. She was later diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. To raise awareness, Berry also volunteers for the Juvenile Diabetes Association.
5. Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga is so full of life that it is really difficult to imagine her battling with any health conditions. However, she also suffers from Lupus. The actor/singer announced it publicly in 2011 during an interview with Larry King. She continues to work successfully in both genres.
4. Toni Braxton
Toni Braxton a multi-talented artist who is an equally good singer, songwriter, producer, and also a philanthropist has her own set of challenges. She is a great advocate for children with autism as her youngest son, Diezel, has been diagnosed with autism. She also volunteers at Autism Speaks and serves as the organization’s International Spokesperson. She also had a benign lump removed from her breast.
3. Charlie Sheen
Charlie Sheen is famous for his role in Two and a Half Men. The celebrated pop culture icon announced in 2015 that he was HIV positive. Sheen’s serious health issues date back to 1998 when he suffered a stroke. Drug and substance abuse has also affected his health.
2. Selena Gomez
Former Disney Channel star to a pop star, Selena Gomez has always been a heartthrob of many. She also suffers from Lupus. She publicly accepted this fact in 2015 although she may have had it since 2013 when she had to cancel her tours and take some time off. She also underwent chemotherapy as part of her Lupus treatment.
1. Magic Johnson
Earvin “Magic” Johnson, the legendary basketball player and an entrepreneur admitted having contracted HIV in 1991. After this public announcement, He became the founder of “The Magic Johnson Foundation.” This is an organization that helps in the fight against HIV. To continue his fight against AIDS especially in African American communities, he has partnered with Abbott Laboratories in the fight. Johnson has played a key role in educating people about HIV and AIDS by being a member of various ventures including the National Commission on AIDS and serving as a United Nations Messenger of Peace.