Stars who have diabetes

Chronic disease
Patients can live with the disease
Salma Hayek
Nick Jonas
Vanessa Williams
Theresa May
Tom Hanks
Patti LaBelle
James Earl Jones
Bret Michaels
George Lucas
S. Epatha Merkerson
Chaka Khan
Sharon Stone
Drew Carey
Gabourey Sidibe
Halle Berry
Neil Young
Delta Burke
Randy Jackson
Billy Porter
Meghan Trainor
Alexandra Park
Sherri Shepherd
Chronic disease

Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by increased blood sugar levels. It is silent and it can be inborn or developed over time.

Patients can live with the disease

In all cases, it is possible to live with diabetes. Just follow your doctor's advice and create a routine of healthy habits. If you have diabetes, you're not alone! Click further to see which famous people also deal with the disease.

Salma Hayek

Hayek developed gestational diabetes while pregnant with her daughter, Valentina Paloma. It wasn't just the pregnancy that caused Hayek's diabetes. She also had a history of diabetes in her family and had been on constant checkups with her doctor.

Nick Jonas

The musician was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 13 years old. He told Healthline: "I was in really bad shape, actually. I lost about 20 pounds in 2 weeks. I couldn’t drink enough water, was going to the bathroom all the time; [and I was] very irritable, which is a symptom of high blood sugar."

Vanessa Williams

Williams is also a Type 1 diabetic. According to her own account, she lost her grandmother to the disease. Both she and her family have supported many diabetes-related charities.

Theresa May

The former Prime Minister was initially diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. When the medication wasn't working, she went for further tests and, eventually, the news came back that she had Type 1. In an interview with Diabetes.uk, she said: "In basic management terms, it's the same for everybody. You have to get into a routine where you are regularly doing the testing."

Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks developed type 2 diabetes in 2013 and attributed it to poor diet and weight gain. In an interview with the Radio Times at the time, he spoke about it: "I'm part of the lazy American generation that has blindly kept dancing through the party and now finds ourselves with a malady."

Patti LaBelle

After collapsing during a show 25 years ago, the singer was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. She told US Today: "Diabetes is often invisible to everyone except those living with it, and for too long, minorities have gone without better access to better health care technology."

James Earl Jones

The actor has been living with type 2 diabetes for over 20 years. As he told Healthline, "it took me a while to learn and to realize that I needed to ask for help. That help comes from everyone in my life - my immediate family gives support in so many ways, and my doctors are especially important."

Bret Michaels

The American singer was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of six. That's tough because it's the age when you are most fond of candy. The Poison frontman told Diabetes.uk: "It’s all about maintaining a balance. That’s the weirdest thing for a rock star to say: 'balance.' But as a diabetic rock star," he repeated, "it’s been about balance in my life."

George Lucas

The creator of the 'Star Wars' franchise was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes during his military physical exam. Therefore, he did not need to serve in the Vietnam War and could continue with his film career. A silver lining to a burdensome illness.

S. Epatha Merkerson

Yes, the famous Lieutenant Van Buren from 'Law & Order' has Type 2 diabetes. She told USA Today: "I knew I had to start making serious changes to my lifestyle to take control of my health." We gather from this picture that she did make those changes, because it looks like she had lost much weight by the time of the 2021 Hollyshorts Film Festival in Los Angeles

Chaka Khan

The queen of funk was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2011. She told the website Essence.com: "I had diabetes type 2 and high blood pressure. I adopted my 10-year-old granddaughter last year. I have to be there for her. I knew I couldn't go out like this so I just fasted for, like, a month, then I went vegan and went off meats and all dairy and anything with eyes."

Sharon Stone

Sharon Stone has type 1 diabetes and uses insulin daily. In addition to leading a healthy life, the actress is also involved in fundraising projects to find a cure for the disease.

Drew Carey

After the American comedian was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, he set out to lose weight and got rid of 80 pounds! According to People magazine, he cut back on simple carbs, snacked on fruit, and drank lots of water. "Once I started losing weight..., like once I started dropping a couple of pant sizes, then it was easy 'cause once you see the results, [and] then you don't wanna stop."

Gabourey Sidibe

The renowned actress, nominated for an Oscar for her incredible performance in the movie 'Precious' (2009), was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. For this reason, she decided to undergo bariatric surgery. It helped her lose a lot of weight and lead a healthier life.

Halle Berry

The actress was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 22. Immediately, Berry adopted a ketogenic diet. At some point, after a lot of hard work, she managed to get by without the insulin injections. This progress was so astounding, ABC News recalls, that many doctors now say she probably had a misdiagnosis of diabetes in the first place.

Neil Young

At the age of six, the singer discovered that, in addition to type 1 diabetes, he had polio and epilepsy.

Delta Burke

Actress Delta Burke has type 2 diabetes. She told Healthline that "hearing the diagnosis at first was shocking and depressing. I thought, 'I’m going to die' or 'I might have to stop working and doing all the things I enjoy'... [But] the doctor said if I didn’t take care of it with diet and exercise, I’d have to take insulin. So I got much more active about it. I got to a point where I had to watch going too low, which was a new experience for me."

Randy Jackson

The former 'American Idol' judge and producer lost more than 100 pounds after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2003. "I was struggling with my weight," he told People. "As soon as I was diagnosed, I learned a lot about the disease really fast... I realized a lot of things that can happen if you don't manage it, which is why I encourage everyone to do so."

Billy Porter

The actor from 'Cinderella' also has type 2 diabetes. He was diagnosed in 2007, and it was "the worst year of my life." After being diagnosed with diabetes in February, "by March, I signed bankruptcy papers. And by June, I was diagnosed HIV-positive," he told The Hollywood Reporter. But he still stands and is making innovative shows like 'Pose.'

Meghan Trainor

The singer who got famous with the song 'All About That Bass' made a surprising comment on The Today Show. She was pregnant at the time and said: "Got a little, little, tiny bump in the road - I got diagnosed with gestational diabetes, but it's manageable and it's OK and I'm healthy and the baby's healthy."

Alexandra Park

The Australian actress has type 1 diabetes. As she told Us Weekly, "I made a lot of mistakes trying to juggle this condition with my career, and I think that's a pretty common experience for type 1 diabetics. This can be a very isolating condition, one that makes you feel hopeless sometimes."

Sherri Shepherd

The actress was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes back in 2007. She told People that her health improved drastically after starting a No-Sugar diet. As she shared on her Instagram account: "I feel so good I could scream. Just want to encourage you that this can be done. You have people who love you and need you to be here. Live for you! Live for them!"