According to the American Psychological Association (APA), 13 percent of Americans between 45 and 64 have some form of heart disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that nearly 10 percent have been diagnosed with cancer. The rich and famous aren't immune to these deadly diseases... and then some.
Diseases don't discriminate and celebrities are no exception. Despite the benefits of unlimited resources, access to the best in medical care, nutrition, and personal fitness trainers, these stars are just as susceptible to life-altering, life-threatening conditions as the average Joe. Among those who have faced these conditions -- and lived to tell about it -- are:
Rosie O’Donnell
In 2012, what started out as an ordinary day for actress Rosie O’Donnell quickly turned into a life-changing moment for her. After helping a heavy-set women out of her car, the actress began to develop a series of strange symptoms: she felt sore and bruised - which she chalked up to overexertion. She began to feel clammy and nauseated, and developed a fever. Despite logging on and checking the symptoms of heart attacks in women, O’Donnell wasn’t convinced that what she was experiencing was truly that. She took a Bayer aspirin and waited a day before being seen, seeking medical attention only because her symptoms failed to improve.
After undergoing an EKG, O’Donnell discovered that her coronary artery was 99 percent blocked, which is what triggered her heart attack. “Heart disease is the number one killer in women,” according to Dr. Sanjay Gupta in a CNN interview, “because they don’t recognize the symptoms. The symptoms then progress more, and they’re less likely to survive.” The good news is that O'Donnell rebounded from the health scare. O’Donnell herself refers to her complete recovery as a “miracle,” because she waited so long to seek treatment.
Selena Gomez
Beloved wizard-turned-singer Selena Gomez found herself hospitalized in 2011 with an iron deficiency and severe malnourishment. At the time, she attributed the hospitalization to a love of junk food and a poor diet. However, two years later, Gomez canceled the Asian and Australian legs of her international concert tour to take personal time. Rumors began to fly that the star was battling lupus, a diagnosis confirmed by her grandfather in 2014. Relatives told USA Today that Gomez’s relationship stresses, rehab stint, and grueling work schedule have made managing her life-threatening disease difficult, and that taking time to take care of herself and seek treatment have her “doing well.” The confirmation of her condition came on the star’s return from Nepal, where she had visited as a UNICEF ambassador to raise awareness for children in need, according to the article.
Nick Cannon
For some celebrities, like the multitalented Nick Cannon, health scares come in waves. In 2012, the actor, rapper, and TV host revealed struggles with kidney problems and blood clots in his lungs, called pulmonary embolisms (PEs). The actor stepped down from his radio show, and later revealed that he had been diagnosed with lupus, and a related kidney disease, lupus nephritis. After his second hospitalization for PEs, Cannon took steps to minimize his risk for developing clots, including wearing surgical stockings, taking blood thinners, and other measures.
The actor told the Today Show in 2012 that he had dedicated himself to taking care of his body, aiming to get regular sleep and take care of himself so that he can manage this lifelong illness. He told Huffington Post, “I’m healthier now than I was before, so everything is in tip-top shape.”
Serena Williams
Even the most physically fit celebrities are at risk for developing life-threatening conditions. In 2011, tennis superstar Serena Williams was sidelined with life-threatening pulmonary embolism and a hematoma in her abdomen. The athlete was on her way to an Oscars party when she began having difficulty breathing. Her doctor insisted that she make a beeline for the hospital, where she was diagnosed with the very serious condition. Doctors found several blood clots in each lung. Williams underwent treatment, which included surgery on her lungs, and went through periods of despair, especially when her illness left her breathless and exhausted.
She told The Guardian that year, “This has given me a whole new perspective on life and my career - and not taking anything for granted. I’m just taking one day at a time.”
Bret Michaels
For Poison singer and “Rock of Love” star Bret Michaels, 2010 was not a very good year. The singer was hospitalized six times in a period of two weeks while on tour. He had two stents put in his body, faced an emergency appendectomy, a brain hemorrhage, and a “warning stroke.” This warning stroke also led to the discovery of a hole in his heart, which had to be repaired surgically in 2011.
Despite his physical challenges, the singer refused to postpone or reschedule his shows, and pushed through to perform for his fans and participate in his charity events. Michaels told People Magazine, “I thank a higher power that I am alive today. It just wasn’t my time to go. I know I’m still here for a reason. So, working with charities and helping others has become really important to me.”
Like the rest of us, celebrities struggle with their own health issues.