10 Celebrities Living With Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is no more a death sentence. With improved healthcare, medications, and therapies, people with T1D can now live long and happy lives. There were times when people would be too embarrassed and hide their conditions. However, over the years, several celebrities have spoken openly about their health conditions, giving hope to many patients that they can still achieve their dreams.

Here are 10 Celebrities Living With Type 1 Diabetes

Vanessa Williams

Vanessa Williams was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was young. Trailblazing to success at a younger age, Vanessa was the first African-American crowned as Miss America, and she actively enjoyed a successful acting and singing career. She lost her grandmother to diabetes and has donated to several diabetes-related charities, including the American Heart Foundation.

Her book "Healthy Child" is about children living with diabetes. In an interview with WebMD, Williams shared her optimism about living with diabetes. She is not obsessed with her look and doesn't care if her clothes fit a bit tight. She loves eating but doesn't overindulge in it and has been modifying her diet ever since. Despite her hurdles, she is socially active and does not let her diabetes control her life.

Theresa May

Theresa May became the second woman to serve as Prime Minister in the UK in 2016. She was later diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and became the first world leader in serving a country with type 1 diabetes actively.

What is most inspirational about her is that she has always been open about her health condition and eager to share her experience with the audience. In fact, you can always see her wearing a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) device on her arm.

You would be surprised to know that she was first misdiagnosed with type 2 diagnosed in her blood test after her recent weight loss. This came to light when her prescription medication failed to work, and she took the test once again.

After her type 1 diabetes diagnosis, she switched to two insulin injections daily, which later increased to four.

Maintaining diabetes is difficult, especially when your work revolves around having dinners, speaking at conferences, and attending debates. However, she continues to win her battle against diabetes while inspiring millions.

Nick Jonas

Lead singer and guitarist of the popular band The Jonas Brothers, Nick Jonas, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 13. Generally, a blood sugar level over 600 mg/dL is considered life-threatening. Nick Jonas's blood sugar level was over 700 at the time, requiring immediate hospitalization.

He is vocal and active on social media platforms like instagram and TikTok regarding his diabetes. He pointed out four of his type-1 diabetes symptoms in one of his videos, which include weight loss, frequent urination, irritability, and weight loss.

He made his condition public in 2007, two years after the diagnosis, while playing at a Diabetes Research Institute Carnival. He inspired many young people living with the condition.

Alexandra Park

We all know Alexandra Park as Princess Eleanor from The Royals, but little anyone knows that she has type 1 diabetes just before her life-changing casting at the age of 23. She mentioned that in her memoir "Sugar High." The book focuses more on helping people with diabetes rather than her journey. She mentioned her type 1 diabetes as her secret struggle as she tried to know it better than going public. In her exclusive interview at Us Weekly, she mentioned all the mistakes she made trying to juggle her health and career.

Gary Hall Jr.

Everybody knows Gary Hall jr. as an accomplished competitive swimmer, but some of you don't know that he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1999. By that time, he had already won four Olympic medals, and a diagnosis of diabetes came to an end in his swimming career. However, determination always wins. In 2000, he became one of the fastest swimmers in the world and retired with 10 Olympic medals (5 Gold) in 2008.

Gary Hall Jr. never shies away from talking about his diabetes. He tells his struggles after the diagnosis, how he learned to increase his stamina without fatigue, and how he adjusted to a new training method where he had to get out of the water to check his blood sugar every 45 minutes.

He is currently a member of JRDF and often gives interviews about diabetes to young people, emphasizing how one can still accomplish their life goal while living with diabetes.

Este Haim

Este Haim, popular singer and bassist of the internationally successful trio Haim, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 14. She learned about his condition in her biology class while experiencing symptoms like weight loss and constant thirst. She immediately went to the nurse and convinced them for a test, which turned out positive.

She talks about the challenges she endures in managing her diabetes on her HAIM tour along with her sisters Daniella and Alana. Her band has also done tours to raise money for diabetes charities.

Mary Tyler Moore

Mary Tyler Moore is a popular celebrity known for her performance in shows like The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Dick Van Dyke Show. She also appeared in several shows and movies as well as was honored with numerous prestigious awards.

Moore was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in a very unfortunate incident. She came to know about her diabetes when she was hospitalized for a miscarriage at the age of 33. With a routine blood test, her blood sugar was recorded at 750, resulting in an immediate insulin therapy administration.

For those who don't know, pregnant people with diabetes are at higher risk of birth complications like stillbirth and miscarriage, which require constant care and effective management of the condition.

Moore dedicated her life to promoting diabetes research and served as the International Chairman at JDRF for years before her death in 2017.

Halle Berry

Popular star Halle Berry was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1989 after she lapsed into a diabetic coma during her shoot of In Living dolls. She went into a keto diet shortly after her diagnosis at 22. In 2004, she became an ambassador of the National Diabetes Education program and launched a health app in 2020 to promote wellness and weight loss.

Bret Michaels

Bret Michaels, frontman of the rock band Poison was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at six. Although he never let his diabetes slows him down, he suffered other health issues in 2010, including a brain hemorrhage. His life was full of health-related struggles. In his entire lifetime, he has to go through an emergency appendectomy, a transient ischemic attack, and a hole in the heart.

He was also a victim of alcohol and drug abuse. He has gone through a near-death experience and comes out of it victorious. Currently, he seems more healthy and stable. Sources say he is managing his glucose level religiously, following a healthy diet, and working out regularly.

Bret Michaels is a perfect example of overcoming adversity with flying colors. Despite his health setbacks, he has a long music career, sold over 25 million records, and appeared in 15 top 40 singles. He won the celebrity apprentice award in 2010 and pledged a $300,000 award to the American Diabetes Association.

Max Domi

Max Domi, Chicago Blackhawks forward, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 12. He spent weeks in a children's hospital to learn to manage his condition. However, that doesn't affect his dream of pursuing hockey as a career. During his free time, Domi works with Ascensia Diabetes Care as an advocate.