Gal Gadot, best known for her role as Wonder Woman, has shared a deeply personal and frightening health experience for the first time.
The 39-year-old actress, who was pregnant with her fourth child last February,
revealed that she suffered a severe brain blood clot, a condition so rare it accounts for only 3% of strokes worldwide.
During her appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Gadot spoke candidly about the life-threatening ordeal, emphasizing the importance of advocating for one’s health.
The actress had initially experienced persistent and intense headaches, which were initially dismissed as pregnancy-related migraines.
However, her mother’s insistence on further medical testing ultimately led to a diagnosis that saved her life.
A Life-Threatening Diagnosis
While expecting her daughter Ori, Gadot began experiencing severe headaches that lasted for weeks. Despite consulting multiple doctors and neurologists, she was reassured that the pain was likely hormonal and a common pregnancy symptom. However, as the headaches persisted, her mother urged her to get an MRI.
“Then, three weeks later, after having those crazy headaches, my mom was like, ‘You need to check it now. Just go and get an MRI,’” Gadot recounted during her interview.
The results of the MRI were shocking—she had cerebral venous thrombosis, a dangerous condition where blood clots form in the brain’s veins, obstructing blood flow. Upon receiving the diagnosis, Gadot was rushed to the hospital, where medical professionals immediately took action to save both her and her unborn child.
Emergency Medical Intervention
Doctors determined that Gadot needed a thrombectomy, a procedure to remove the blood clots from her brain. The urgency of the situation also led them to deliver baby Ori right away to ensure her safety.
“I went through a thrombectomy. I had the most amazing team. They cared for me at Cedars-Sinai,” she said, expressing deep gratitude to the doctors who treated her.
She gave special thanks to medical professionals Mara, Dr. Song, and Michael Alexander, crediting them with saving her life.
A Message of Awareness and Self-Advocacy
Despite the terrifying ordeal, Gadot is speaking out to encourage others to listen to their bodies and seek medical attention when something feels wrong.
“If someone out there in the world is going through the same thing, and because she hears my story, she gets checked, then that’s why I’m sharing it,” she said.
She emphasized the importance of taking health concerns seriously, even if medical professionals initially downplay symptoms. “Our bodies are always communicating with us. We just need to listen and get checked. If anything, you’re going to check, you’re going to overcheck yourself, but it’s better to overcheck than to not check,” she advised.
Now fully recovered, Gadot is grateful to be alive and is embracing her role as a mother of four. She described her youngest daughter, Ori, as “a little caterpillar” and expressed joy over her healthy arrival.
Balancing Family and Career
Gadot, who shares her daughters Alma, 13, Maya, 8, and Daniella, 3, with husband Jaron Varsano, also touched on how her children reacted to her upcoming role in Disney’s Snow White. Unlike her usual heroic characters, Gadot will portray the Evil Queen, a departure from her previous roles.
Her children have not yet seen the film, and she admitted she’s “quite nervous” about how they’ll react, given that they are used to seeing her play the “goodie” or a strong heroine.
“When I told them I was going to do Snow White, my 8-year-old, Maya, was excited. But then my older daughter Alma said, ‘She’s playing the Evil Queen, not Snow White,’ and Maya started crying when she realized it was true,” Gadot shared.
Looking Ahead
Despite the health scare, Gadot remains committed to her career and continues to take on new challenges. With her upcoming role in Snow White set to hit theaters on March 21, fans will soon see her take on a very different character than they are used to.
More importantly, her story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of listening to one’s body, pushing for answers, and never dismissing persistent symptoms. Gadot’s experience highlights the value of early detection and medical advocacy—lessons that could potentially save lives.
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