10 Celebrities Who Bravely Shared Their Struggles With Rare Illnesses

While most people usually know a few general things about more common chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or arthritis, rarer illnesses often get overlooked. Many celebrities who have been diagnosed with less common conditions opened up about their experiences and help shed more light on their disorders.

We at Bright Side truly admire these 10 famous people who decided to share their battles and victories over their conditions with their fans.

1. Selma Blair

Selma Blair was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2018 and has been very candid about her illness ever since. Despite doctors urging her to hide her diagnosis because it might negatively affect her career, the actress shared her experiences several times with her fans on Instagram. “It is important to me that people see what living with a chronic illness is like,” she said in an interview.

2. Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, which can cause damage to the nerves and temporary facial paralysis. The famous actress has always been open about her health struggles, undergoing a double mastectomy to prevent breast cancer in 2013. “Sometimes women in families put themselves last,” she said about her diagnosis. “Until it manifests itself in their own health.”

3. Bruce Willis

Bruce Willis announced his retirement earlier this year after being diagnosed with a neurological disorder called aphasia. His family shared the message on their Instagram accounts. The illness can impact a person’s cognitive abilities, affecting the part of the brain responsible for language skills.

4. Jimmy Kimmel

The comedian and TV host suffers from a type of sleep disorder called narcolepsy, which can cause people to fall asleep randomly during the day. Jimmy Kimmel revealed that sometimes he’d fall asleep during filming and used to drink gallons of iced tea to help him stay awake.

5. Sarah Hyland

The Modern Family actress suffers from a kidney disease called kidney dysplasia and has had 2 kidney transplants. Her first kidney, given to her by her father at 21, was unfortunately rejected. Later, her younger brother, Ian, also donated a kidney to Hyland. “When a family member gives you a second chance at life, and it fails, it almost feels like it’s your fault. It’s not. But it does.”

6. Gigi Hadid

The supermodel has Hashimoto’s disease, which is an auto-immune disorder. Fortunately, she’s been able to manage her condition with medication and lifestyle changes. Gigi Hadid shared information about her disorder with her fans on Twitter in 2018.

7. Pete Davidson

The comedian was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease when he was 17 years old. The chronic illness causes abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and severe weight loss. “My stomach would be in pain all day and I wouldn’t be able to eat... I’m sick, I have Crohn’s, so it sucks,” Davidson said in an interview.

8. Gerard Butler

Gerard Butler suffers from tinnitus (a ringing or other noise in the ears) and is also hard of hearing in his right ear. According to the actor, the condition also affects his facial symmetry and is the cause of his crooked smile.

9. Venus Williams

The tennis player was diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome, an auto-immune disorder, in 2011. After making several lifestyle and diet changes, Venus Williams was able to continue her sports career. “I wasn’t able to play tennis anymore, and I was out of the game for maybe 9 months. I also had challenges playing my best tennis, so, of course, that was frustrating, especially when you have a high expectation of yourself.”

10. Justin Bieber

The pop star took to Instagram in June of this year to tell his fans about his struggles with Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Justin Bieber had to cancel some of his shows because he was inflicted with temporary facial paralysis caused by this disorder. “It is from this virus that attacks the nerve in my ear and my facial nerves and has caused my face to have paralysis,” the famous singer explained.

Who on this list inspires you the most? Do you have any other celebs to add to the list?

Style isn’t just about clothing; it’s a reflection of one’s personality. Angelina Jolie, with her impeccable fashion sense, teaches us valuable style lessons. From the power of neutral colors to the elegance of minimalistic jewelry, Jolie’s wardrobe choices are a masterclass in sophistication.