Washington [US]: Hollywood star Gal Gadot has revealed a deeply personal and harrowing experience she faced during her recent pregnancy. The ‘Wonder Woman’ actress shared on Instagram her battle with a life-threatening blood clot in her brain, which required emergency surgery when she was eight months pregnant.
“In February, during my eighth month of pregnancy, I was diagnosed with a massive blood clot in my brain,” Gadot wrote. “For weeks, I had endured excruciating headaches that confined me to bed, until I finally underwent an MRI that revealed the terrifying truth. In one moment, my family and I were faced with how fragile life can be. It was a stark reminder of how quickly everything can change, and in the midst of a difficult year, all I wanted was to hold on and live.”
A Journey Through Fear and Hope
Rushed to the hospital with her family, Gadot underwent emergency surgery within hours of the diagnosis. The actress described the uncertainty and fear of those moments but also found strength in the impending birth of her daughter.
Her fourth daughter, Ori, was born in early March, shortly after the ordeal. “Her name, meaning ‘my light,’ wasn’t chosen by chance,” Gadot shared. “Before the surgery, I told Jaron [Varsano, her husband] that when our daughter arrived, she would be the light waiting for me at the end of this tunnel.”
Gadot expressed immense gratitude to the medical team who treated her and confirmed that she has made a full recovery. “I am fully healed and filled with gratitude for the life I’ve been given back,” she wrote.
Raising Awareness for Pregnancy-Related Risks
The actress emphasized her decision to share the story was driven by a desire to raise awareness about health risks, particularly cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), a rare condition that affects 3 in 100,000 women in their late 30s during pregnancy.
“It’s so important to identify early because it’s treatable,” Gadot explained. “While rare, it’s a possibility, and knowing it exists is the first step to addressing it. Sharing this is not meant to frighten anyone but to empower. If even one person feels compelled to take action for their health because of this story, it will have been worth sharing.”
She urged others to listen to their bodies, trust their instincts, and seek medical attention for persistent pain or discomfort, concluding her post with a message of hope and empowerment.