You may know them from the big screen, but celebrities have many of the same problems we do. We rarely talk about chronic illnesses, but they affect millions of people, including the rich and famous. You may be surprised to know that some of the world’s most popular personalities live with a chronic condition. From A-list celebrities to royalty, here’s what some of the most influential people in the world are coping with.
Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga is famous for her fabulous outfits, but she also has a rare disease called synovitis. This painful condition causes inflammation of the synovial membrane, the soft tissue that sits between the joint capsule and the joint cavity. Thankfully, Lady Gaga is a strong woman and doesn’t allow her disease to interfere with her work.
Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks—like approximately 30 million Americans—has type 2 diabetes. Having been diagnosed with diabetes in his late teens, he came to terms with and accepted the condition. It’s believed that this disease resulted from his extreme health transformations for different roles, which included losing and regaining weight.
Halsey
Musician Halsey recently admitted that she has bipolar disorder, which may explain the album title for her latest record, “Manic.” In a recent interview, she spoke out against the condition’s negative rhetoric and encouraged others to speak positively and consider empathy rather than stigmatizing the disease.
Catherine Zeta-Jones
Actress Catherine Zeta-Jones has bipolar II disorder. It is a condition characterized by swinging moods between euphoria and depression. Catherine’s had successful treatment for the condition and has been open about it ever since. Still, it must be a struggle to be an actress when you’re fighting your moods daily.
George Clooney
George Clooney suffered from pancreatitis after losing weight to play a role in his new movie, The Midnight Sky. It’s unclear whether the health condition will affect him. Pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed, often after drastic weight loss. The disease can vary in severity and effect from person to person.
Michael Phelps
Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps, who suffers from Marfan syndrome—a condition that weakens the body’s connective tissue, causing muscular, vascular, and arterial problems—may look like he has a tall, thin body. Although this condition can be pretty dangerous, it’s also one of the things that make him successful. He can swim faster than others with flexible joints and long arms and legs.
Kristen Bell
Actress Kristen Bell has openly talked about her struggles with anxiety and depression. She’s outlined how she combats the diseases through a series of regular practices and wants to be a support for others fighting these challenges. More recently, she has been active in her efforts to raise mental health awareness.
