Celebrities
Many celebrities and public figures have been affected by sepsis. Some survived their bout with the disease, but others died. Sepsis is an equal opportunity illness – it can affect anyone of any social status, age, ethnicity, or beliefs.
Many celebrities and public figures have been affected by sepsis. Some survived their bout with the disease, but others died. Sepsis is an equal opportunity illness – it can affect anyone of any social status, age, ethnicity, or beliefs.
All too often, however, the media that report celebrities illnesses or deaths from sepsis fail to say the word. They often say that the person has died of complications of pneumonia, surgery, or cancer, for example. If someone has died of an infection, such as pneumonia or the flu, or an infection from surgery, he or she has died from sepsis. If someone develops an infection serious enough that they must be treated in the hospital with IV fluids and antibiotics, chances are that they have sepsis.
Below is a list of celebrities who Sepsis Alliance knows have had sepsis or believes they did due to the news reports. If you know of any celebrities that you feel should be added to this list, please send the information to info@sepsis.org.
Suggested Citation:
Sepsis Alliance. Sepsis and Celebrities. 2024. https://www.sepsis.org/sepsisand/celebrities/
Updated July 14, 2025.
To learn more about bacterial infections and how they can cause sepsis, visit Sepsis and Bacterial Infections.
To learn more about how people with cancer can be at higher risk of contracting infections and developing sepsis, visit Sepsis and Cancer.
To learn more about what cellulitis is and its connection to sepsis, visit Sepsis and Cellulitis.
To learn how COVID-19 can lead to sepsis, visit Sepsis and COVID-19.
To learn how infections in your mouth can lead to sepsis, visit Sepsis and Dental Health.
To learn about how diabetes increases your risk of developing infections that can lead to sepsis, visit Sepsis and Diabetes.
To learn more about intestinal E. coli and how it can lead to sepsis, visit Sepsis and Intestinal E Coli Infections.
Learn more about HIV and how it can increase your risk of developing sepsis at Sepsis and HIV/AIDS.
Learn more about how IBD can increase your risk of developing infections that can lead to sepsis at Sepsis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
Learn more about bacterial infections at Sepsis and Bacterial Infections.
Learn how the flu can cause sepsis at Sepsis and Influenza.
Learn how a perforated bowel can lead to infection and sepsis at Sepsis and Perforated Bowel.
Learn about how pregnancy, delivery, and post-partum infections can cause sepsis at Sepsis and Pregnancy & Delivery.
Learn how bacterial, viral, and fungal meningitis can cause sepsis at Sepsis and Meningitis.
Lynn Collins, actress – also had pneumonia
Learn how pneumonia can lead to sepsis at Sepsis and Pneumonia.
Learn how surgery can cause infections, during and after the procedure, that can lead to sepsis at Sepsis and Surgery.
Learn how toxic shock syndrome can lead to sepsis at Sepsis and Toxic Shock Syndrome.
Learn how the common UTI can lead to sepsis at Sepsis and Urinary Tract Infections.
I had a hematoma on the edge of my cervix, which led to me prematurely rupturing (pprom) I got admitted to hospital height of COVID (2020). Was admitted for around 3 months, scheduled a c section. Didn’t make it and had an emergency c-section. 1 week later I was septic and going into septic shock. (Sepsis and Pregnancy & Childbirth) I was put back for emergency surgery and removal of my uterus, which had already turned completely into mush and was difficult to remove. 5 years later I now suffer from PTSD and post sepsis syndrome. Diabetes, swollen limbs, mental ... Read Full Story
Submit Your StoryView More StoriesDecember 16,2024 is a day we will never forget. After several days of not eating, left side abdominal pain and being bed ridden, we knew something was terribly wrong. My husband visited his PCP office and was told he had constipation. As the days went on, he became worse. I was at work, calling home to check on him. When he answered the phone he could barely speak, he was so short of breath. I immediately left work and headed home. When I arrived at our house, Chris (my husband) was waiting in our garage, hunched over, having rapid breathing, ... Read Full Story
Submit Your StoryView More StoriesIn October 2022, I was a happily married mother of three young children, all under the age of 10. At the time, I was in good health and actively engaged in various family activities. Although I was feeling slightly unwell, I did not consider it a cause for concern. The next thing I remember is waking up 12 days later in the ICU, where I was informed of my diagnosis: sepsis caused by Haemophilus influenzae. I had developed unexpected abscesses on my legs and experienced significant cognitive impairment due to a brain infection. I later learned that my husband had ... Read Full Story
Submit Your StoryView More StoriesShortly after Hurricane Beryl hit Houston, Tx in July 2024, our (23yo) son diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome, a rare neuro-genetic disease, began to exhibit signs of illness. When someone you love is unable to communicate it’s one of the most difficult challenges you face as a caregiver. Initially we thought Brandon’s behavior changes were a sign of frustration due to the extended power outages in our area. Then came a sudden onset of 103 degree fever with increasing agitation. We immediately took him to the ER for assessment which revealed an ear infection and kidney stone. Shortly after arriving he ... Read Full Story
Submit Your StoryView More StoriesHello! My name is Haley and I am a proud survivor of septic shock. In January of 2019, I had fallen ill. My temperature reached 102.4. As the week progressed, I began to lose feeling in my left leg. Whilst my body was slowly shutting down, My mom and I took a trip to a pediatric clinic where my muddy urine was mistaken for dehydration. A few doctor’s visits and one blood test later, it was clear I needed to head to the ER immediately. After those long hours in the ER, my memory is blank. February of 2019, I ... Read Full Story
Submit Your StoryView More StoriesMany celebrities and public figures have been affected by sepsis. Some survived their bout with the disease, but others died. Sepsis is an equal opportunity illness – it can affect anyone of any social status, age, ethnicity, or beliefs.