Home / Lifestyle
Celebrities battling rare conditions will shock you
Celebrities living with rare diseases will blow your mind
Celebrity! When this word comes to mind, we often think about how glamourous they are with immense fame and perfection, however, all that glitter is not gold.
Celebrities are after all humans and behind the spotlight, some of Hollywood's biggest stars are battling rare health conditions that only few know about.
Here is a list of celebrities you never knew had rare diseases and few names might shock you:
1. Selena Gomez: Lupus
Selena Gomez has Lupus, an autoimmune disease she’s dealing since 2015.
The Love You like Love Song singer’s rare illness also led her to step back from professional duties in 2017 in order to have a kidney transplant.
The 33-year-old singer manages her lupus through a combination of medical treatments, lifestyle adjustments, and mental health support.
2. George Clooney: Bell’s Palsy
George Clooney has battled Bell’s palsy for 9 months in his freshman year of high school, however, he’s fully recovered now.
Bell’s palsy is a neurological disorder that affects the 7th cranial nerve, causing paralysis on one side of the face.
This disease interferes with tear and saliva production, and sensory experiences.
3. Justin Bieber: Ramsay Hunt Syndrome
Justin Bieber had been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that causes facial paralysis or a neurological disorder caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox and shingles.
The Sorry singer, who revealed about his condition back in 2022, is dealing with his condition, by focusing on rest, facial exercises, and medication.
4. Angelina Jolie: BRCA-Mutated Gene
Angelina Jolie is known to carry a mutation in the BRCA1 gene, which significantly increases her risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer.
The Maria actress underwent specific surgeries to remove her breasts and ovaries before the cancer occurred, as precautionary measures.
5. Kim Kardashian: Psoriasis
Kim Kardashian has been dealing with psoriasis, an autoimmune skin condition, since 2010.
The reality star has gone through difference kinds of treatments including seaweed-based skin care regimen, phototherapy, and lifestyle adjustments.
The ex-wife of Kanye West also eyes on plant-based diet as part of her approach to managing flare-ups.
6. Bruce Willis: FTD
Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a rare neurological condition, which he was diagnosed with in 2022.
After his diagnosis, the Die Hard actor has lost ability to speak, read, or walk independently
He is largely nonverbal, with limited ability to hold conversations with anyone.
7. Lady Gaga: Fibromyalgia
Lady Gaga struggles with fibromyalgia since 2017, a chronic and rare disease characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and memory issues.
This condition has significantly impacted the Bad Romance hitmaker’s life and career, often leaving her in excruciating pain and forcing her to cancel shows and tours.
8. Nick Jonas: Type 1 diabetes
Nick Jonas was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 13.
His symptoms included significant weight loss, excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and muscle cramps.
The singer, who is married to Priyanka Chopra, uses an insulin pump to manage his diabetes and checks his blood sugar levels frequently.
He emphasises the importance of trusting his doctor and following their advice.
9. Celine Dion: Stiff-person Syndrome
Celine Dion revealed in 2022 that she suffers from Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), a rare autoimmune neurological disorder that affects about one to two people in a million.
The My Heart Will Go On hitmaker is one of the estimated 8,000 people globally living with this condition.
10. Bella Hadid: Lyme disease
Model Bella Hadid has been struggling with the disease called Lyme disease, which can cause a range of symptoms.
Bella hasn't specified exactly when she was diagnosed, but she has been living with the condition for over a decade.
Her disease’s symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, rash, and muscle and joint pain, which can vary in severity and impact daily life.
11. Elton John: Serious eye infection
Elton John has been diagnosed with rare and serious eye infection that has caused blindness in one eye and limited vision in the other.
The 77-year-old legendary musician has been undergoing treatment for the infection that occurred in July 2024.
Despite his treatment, there's a possibility that the sight loss might be permanent.
