{"id":2215970,"date":"2025-12-29T21:22:23","date_gmt":"2025-12-29T21:22:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2215970"},"modified":"2025-12-29T21:22:23","modified_gmt":"2025-12-29T21:22:23","slug":"biggest-celebrity-health-stories-of-2025-and-what-we-learned-from-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/biggest-celebrity-health-stories-of-2025-and-what-we-learned-from-them\/","title":{"rendered":"Biggest Celebrity Health Stories of 2025 and What We Learned From Them"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Celebrity health news dominated our feeds this year, whether because these famous men and women were confronting life-threatening illness, navigating chronic disease, or defying weight loss stigma.<\/p>\n<p>Their stories offer moments of inspiration, education, and, in some cases, hope.<\/p>\n<h2>Diane Keaton Died of Pneumonia<\/h2>\n<div>In October, the Oscar-winning actor <strong>Diane Keaton<\/strong> died at age 79 from pneumonia \u2014 \u201cheartbreaking for everyone who loved her,\u201d and unexpected, according to an interview with her family in <em>People<\/em>. They reported that the vibrant movie star\u2019s health declined very suddenly in just a few months.<span><\/p>\n<p class=\"view-sources\"><button class=\"view-sources__link\" type=\"button\">[<span>1<\/span>]<\/button><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"cr-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/pneumonia\/guide\/\">Pneumonia<\/a> is an infection that causes inflammation and fluid buildup in the lungs, making it difficult for the body to get enough oxygen. While many people recover fully, older adults face a much higher risk of severe illness and death.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"ad-wrapper ad-wrapper--audience ad-container inline-widget inline-widget--right-rail _hold-size\"\/>\n<h2>Serena Williams Opened Up About Taking a GLP-1 Medication<\/h2>\n<p>In August the tennis champion <strong>Serena Williams<\/strong> revealed she has been using a <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"cr-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/weight-management\/how-to-lose-weight-on-ozempic-and-other-glp-1s\/\">GLP-1 medication<\/a> for weight management and became a spokesperson for Ro, a telehealth GLP-1 provider.<\/p>\n<div><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"cr-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/weight\/13-celebrities-who-have-spoken-out-about-taking-glp-1s\/\">Williams said<\/a> she struggled to lose weight after having children, despite intense training and healthy eating, and described feeling physically and mentally better since starting the medication. GLP-1 drugs, originally developed for diabetes, are now widely prescribed for obesity \u2014 but some people taking them still feel shame.<span><\/p>\n<p class=\"view-sources\"><button class=\"view-sources__link\" type=\"button\">[<span>2<\/span>]<\/button><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p>\u201cI feel like a lot of people have this stigma on GLP-1s and say things like, \u2018Oh, lazy people do it,\u2019 or \u2018If you\u2019re working hard enough, you don\u2019t need that,\u2019\u201d said Williams in an interview with <em>Vogue<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI know for a fact from my experience that it\u2019s simply not true. Sometimes you need help,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>Her comments have helped reduce stigma and highlight that weight management is complex \u2014 everyone\u2019s journey is different.<\/p>\n<h2>Eric Dane Battled ALS<\/h2>\n<p>In April the actor <strong>Eric Dane<\/strong>, best known for his roles on <em>Grey\u2019s Anatomy<\/em> and <em>Euphoria<\/em>, shared that <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"cr-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/neurological-conditions\/greys-anatomy-and-euphoria-star-eric-dane-has-als\/\">he was diagnosed<\/a> with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n<p>Dane, now 53, said in a subsequent <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"cr-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/neurological-disorders\/actor-eric-dane-says-hes-lost-function-in-his-right-arm-from-als\/\">interview<\/a> that he\u2019d already lost the use of his right arm and expected further progression of the disease, which gradually affects mobility, speech, and swallowing.<\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"cr-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/als\/guide\/\">ALS<\/a> is a rare, degenerative neurological condition with no cure, though <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"cr-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/als\/diagnosis-treatment\/\">medications and supportive therapies<\/a> can slow symptom progression and help people maintain independence longer.<\/p>\n<h2>Barry Manilow Announced a Lung Cancer Diagnosis<\/h2>\n<div>The singer-songwriter <strong>Barry Manilow<\/strong> revealed in December that he had been diagnosed with\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"cr-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/lung-cancer\/guide\/\">lung cancer<\/a> after doctors discovered a cancerous spot on his left lung.<span><\/p>\n<p class=\"view-sources\"><button class=\"view-sources__link\" type=\"button\">[<span>3<\/span>]<\/button><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p>In a statement shared with fans, Manilow said he felt no symptoms. \u201cIt\u2019s pure luck (and a great doctor) that it was found so early,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n<p>Manilow, now in his early eighties, has previously spoken openly about his health, including living with\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"cr-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/atrial-fibrillation\/guide\/\">atrial fibrillation<\/a> (afib), which he discovered more than a decade ago.<\/p>\n<h2>Billy Joel Canceled Concerts Because of a Rare Brain Disorder<\/h2>\n<p>The music icon <strong>Billy Joel, <\/strong>76, announced in May that he was stepping away from live performances after being diagnosed with\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"cr-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/healthy-living\/billy-joel-diagnosed-with-rare-brain-condition\/\">normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH)<\/a>, a neurological condition caused by a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain.<\/p>\n<p>NPH can affect balance, walking, memory, vision, and bladder control, and it most commonly occurs in adults older than 65. Unlike many neurological conditions, NPH is often treatable when diagnosed early; surgery is used to drain excess fluid.<\/p>\n<h2>Gene Hackman and His Wife, Betsy Arakawa, Died; Hantavirus Made Headlines<\/h2>\n<div>The final autopsy findings revealed that <strong>Gene Hackman<\/strong>\u00a0had died in February at age 95 from a combination of severe <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"cr-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/heart-disease\/guide\">heart disease<\/a> and advanced <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"cr-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/alzheimers-disease\/guide\/\">Alzheimer\u2019s disease<\/a>, about a week after his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.<span><\/p>\n<p class=\"view-sources\"><button class=\"view-sources__link\" type=\"button\">[<span>4<\/span>]<\/button><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p><strong>Hantavirus<\/strong> is a rare but serious respiratory illness spread through contact with rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. Although infections are uncommon in the United States, the disease is fatal in a significant percentage of cases, as Arakawa\u2019s death revealed.<\/p>\n<p>The couple\u2019s passing also drew attention to the vulnerabilities faced by older adults living with advanced cognitive impairment.<\/p>\n<h2>James Van Der Beek Shared His Colorectal Cancer Journey<\/h2>\n<p>The actor <strong>James Van Der Beek<\/strong>, known for <em>Dawson\u2019s Creek<\/em>, revealed at the end of 2024, when he was 47, that he\u2019d been diagnosed with\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"cr-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/cancer\/early-onset-colorectal-cancer\/\">colorectal cancer<\/a>, placing him among a growing group of people affected by early-onset disease. He shared updates on his health throughout 2025.<\/p>\n<p>Rates of colorectal cancer in younger adults have risen sharply over the past few decades, with about 1 in 10 new diagnoses now occurring in people younger than 50.<\/p>\n<div>In December Van Der Beek said he continues to undergo treatment and described the experience as physically and emotionally demanding, but noted that he has been feeling better in recent months.<span><\/p>\n<p class=\"view-sources\"><button class=\"view-sources__link\" type=\"button\">[<span>5<\/span>]<\/button><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<h2>Ozzy Osbourne Died of a Heart Attack After Years of Living With Parkinson\u2019s<\/h2>\n<div>The rock legend <strong>Ozzy Osbourne<\/strong> died in July at age 76 of a <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"cr-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/heart-attack\/guide\/\">heart attack<\/a>, according to his death certificate, which also listed coronary artery disease and <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"cr-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/parkinsons-disease\/guide\/\">Parkinson\u2019s disease<\/a> as contributing factors.<span><\/p>\n<p class=\"view-sources\"><button class=\"view-sources__link\" type=\"button\">[<span>6<\/span>]<\/button><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p>Osbourne had spoken publicly for years about living with Parkinson\u2019s, a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement and can also disrupt blood pressure and heart rate.<\/p>\n<p>His death came just weeks after a farewell concert in his hometown of Birmingham, England, where he reunited with Black Sabbath for what became his final public performance.<\/p>\n<h2>MTV VJ Ananda Lewis Passed Away From Breast Cancer<\/h2>\n<div>The former MTV VJ <strong>Ananda Lewis<\/strong> died in June at age 52 of\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"cr-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/breast-cancer\/guide\/\">breast cancer<\/a>, several years after she first shared her diagnosis publicly.<span><\/p>\n<p class=\"view-sources\"><button class=\"view-sources__link\" type=\"button\">[<span>7<\/span>]<\/button><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p>Lewis revealed in 2020 that she had delayed getting <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"cr-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/breast-cancer\/guide\/mammogram\/\">mammograms<\/a> because she feared radiation exposure, later calling that decision a mistake. By the time her cancer was detected, it had already reached an advanced stage.<\/p>\n<p>Lewis also chose to forego the double mastectomy that her doctors recommended and tried <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"cr-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/cancer\/alternative-cancer-treatments-debunking-the-myths\/\">alternative therapies<\/a> instead \u2014 another decision that she came to regret as the cancer metastasized. \u201cPrevention is the real cure,\u201d she later said.<\/p>\n<h2>Dick Van Dyke Turned 100<\/h2>\n<p>The actor and entertainer <strong>Dick Van Dyke<\/strong> celebrated his 100th birthday in December, earning the title of centenarian and sparking conversation about what <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"cr-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/healthy-aging\/what-habits-can-help-you-live-to-be-one-hundred-years-old\/\">healthy aging<\/a> can look like beyond simply living longer.<\/p>\n<div>Van Dyke has credited <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"cr-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/fitness\/neat-exercises-for-couch-potatoes.aspx\">regular movement<\/a>, optimism, and <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"cr-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/healthy-living\/strong-social-ties-may-slow-biological-aging\/\">strong social connections<\/a> for helping him stay mobile and engaged. He continues to exercise several times a week, practices stretching and yoga, and prioritizes time with family and creative pursuits.<span><\/p>\n<p class=\"view-sources\"><button class=\"view-sources__link\" type=\"button\">[<span>8<\/span>]<\/button><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p>The actor personifies a growing awareness that our collective goal should be to extend our <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"cr-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/healthy-living\/what-is-healthspan-and-how-can-you-extend-yours\/\">health span<\/a> rather than simply our lifespan, and that it\u2019s possible to maintain physical and cognitive function with strong mental and physical habits.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.everydayhealth.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Celebrity health news dominated our feeds this year, whether because these famous men and women were confronting life-threatening illness, navigating chronic disease, or defying weight loss stigma. Their stories offer moments of inspiration, education, and, in some cases, hope. Diane Keaton Died of Pneumonia In October, the Oscar-winning actor Diane Keaton died at age 79 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2215971,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25177],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2215970","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-celebrities"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Biggest-Celebrity-Health-Stories-of-2025-and-What-We-Learned.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2215970","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2215970"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2215970\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2215972,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2215970\/revisions\/2215972"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2215971"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2215970"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2215970"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2215970"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}