Gal Gadot was diagnosed with 'massive' blood clot during pregnancy
Gal Gadot, the Hollywood actor famous for her role as Wonder Woman, recently opened up about a personal health scare. In an Instagram post on Sunday, she revealed that she was diagnosed with a "massive" blood clot in her brain during the eighth month of her pregnancy. The 39-year-old actor called 2024 a year of "profound challenges and deep reflections," and chose to share her story to raise awareness about this rare but serious condition.
Gadot underwent emergency surgery during pregnancy
Gadot, who welcomed her fourth child in March, suffered from "excruciating headaches" during her pregnancy that left her bedridden. An MRI scan eventually revealed a blood clot in her brain. "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," she wrote. The actor was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery while still pregnant.
'Ori was born during that moment of uncertainty and fear'
Gadot's daughter, Ori, was born amid this medical emergency. The actor revealed that the name Ori, which means 'my light,' wasn't a coincidence but represented hope amid uncertainty. "Before the surgery, I told Jaron (Varsano) that when our daughter arrived, she would be the light waiting for me at the end of this tunnel," Gadot added. Before Ori, Gadot had three other daughters: Alma, born in 2011; Maya, born in 2017; and Daniella, born in 2021.
Gadot expressed gratitude for recovery and life
After the surgery, Gadot began her recovery journey with her husband, Israeli film producer Jaron Varsano, to whom she has been married since 2008. She thanked the medical team at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles who made her treatment possible. "Thanks to an extraordinary team of doctors...I made it through and began the road to recovery. Today, I am fully healed and filled with gratitude for the life I've been given back," she said.
Gadot emphasized importance of body awareness and early diagnosis
Using her experience, Gadot advocated for body awareness and early diagnosis. She stressed listening to one's body, saying, "Pain, discomfort, or even subtle changes often carry a deeper meaning." The actor also noted that three in 1,00,000 pregnant women aged 30+ are diagnosed with CVT (Cerebral Venous Thrombosis), where blood clots form in the brain. "It's so important to identify early because it's treatable," she stressed.
