Gal Gadot Opens Up About ‘Terrifying’ Health Emergency Before Giving Birth
Gal Gadot on Sunday revealed that she underwent emergency surgery for a blood clot in her brain earlier this year before the birth of her fourth child, Ori.
“In February, during my eighth month of pregnancy, I was diagnosed with a massive blood clot in my brain,” the “Wonder Woman” star wrote in an Instagram post. “For weeks, I had endured excruciating headaches that confined me to bed, until I finally underwent an MRI that revealed the terrifying truth.”
She continued, “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.”
The Israeli actor said she was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery, and her daughter was “born during that moment of uncertainty and fear.”
It led her to choose the name Ori, which means “my light” in Hebrew.
She said she “made it through and began the road to recovery” thanks to an extraordinary team of doctors and “weeks of dedicated care.”
She wrote, “Today, I am fully healed and filled with gratitude for the life I’ve been given back.”
Gadot announced Ori’s birth in March, writing at the time, “the pregnancy was not easy and we made it through.”
The “Fast and Furious” actor married film producer and former real estate developer Jaron Varsano in 2008. They welcomed their daughters Alma in 2011, Maya in 2017 and Daniella in 2021.
Gadot said she had decided to share her story for awareness.
“The journey has taught me so much. First, it’s vital to listen to our bodies and trust what it’s telling us. Pain, discomfort, or even subtle changes often carry deeper meaning, and being attuned to your body can be life saving,” she wrote.
“Second, awareness matters. I had no idea that 3 in 100,000 pregnant women in the 30s+ age group are diagnosed with CVT.”
Cerebral venous thrombosis is a blood clot of the cerebral vein in the brain, according to Healthline. If left untreated, it can lead to brain bleeding and stroke. Symptoms include severe headaches, blurred vision, nausea and vomiting.
“It’s so important to identify early because it’s treatable,” Gadot said. “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.”