Sepsis and 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.

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. 2025. https://www.sepsis.org/sepsisand/celebrities/

Updated September 8, 2025.

 

Likely Sepsis Cases By Illness:

Bacterial Infection
  • Ronnie Coleman – pro body builder, “blood infection”
  • Ashley Park, actress – treated for tonsillitis that progressed to sepsis
  • Donald Norcross, U.S. Congressman – treated for a gallbladder infection that progressed to sepsis

To learn more about bacterial infections and how they can cause sepsis, visit Sepsis and Bacterial Infections.

 

Cancer
  • Paul Allen, Co-Founder of Microsoft – died
  • Ron Piche, former Montreal Expo pitcher – died of “cancer and blood poisoning” in 2011 (baseball)
  • Ray Price (Country star Ray Price back in hospital with sepsis) – died
  • Charlie Robinson, actor – died
  • Lura Lynn Ryan, Illinois former first lady – survived first bout with sepsis, later died of “complications from cancer”
  • Susie Steiner, author – died
  • Cory Wells, musician – died
  • John Wetton, musician – died

To learn more about how people with cancer can be at higher risk of contracting infections and developing sepsis, visit Sepsis and Cancer.

Cellulitis

To learn more about what cellulitis is and its connection to sepsis, visit Sepsis and Cellulitis.

COVID-19

To learn how COVID-19 can lead to sepsis, visit Sepsis and COVID-19.

Dental Infection

To learn how infections in your mouth can lead to sepsis, visit Sepsis and Dental Health.

Diabetes

To learn about how diabetes increases your risk of developing infections that can lead to sepsis, visit Sepsis and Diabetes.

E coli

To learn more about intestinal E. coli and how it can lead to sepsis, visit Sepsis and Intestinal E Coli Infections.

HIV

Learn more about HIV and how it can increase your risk of developing sepsis at Sepsis and HIV/AIDS.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Learn more about how IBD can increase your risk of developing infections that can lead to sepsis at Sepsis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

Infected Wound

 

Learn more about bacterial infections at Sepsis and Bacterial Infections.

Influenza

 

Learn how the flu can cause sepsis at Sepsis and Influenza.

Intestinal Infection or Perforated Bowel

 

Learn how a perforated bowel can lead to infection and sepsis at Sepsis and Perforated Bowel.

Maternal Sepsis

 

Learn about how pregnancy, delivery, and post-partum infections can cause sepsis at Sepsis and Pregnancy & Delivery.

Meningitis

Learn how bacterial, viral, and fungal meningitis can cause sepsis at Sepsis and Meningitis.

Necrotizing fasciitis

Lynn Collins, actress – also had pneumonia

Other
Pancreatitis
Peritonitis
Pneumonia

 

Learn how pneumonia can lead to sepsis at Sepsis and Pneumonia.

Surgery

 

Learn how surgery can cause infections, during and after the procedure, that can lead to sepsis at Sepsis and Surgery.

Toxic Shock Syndrome

 

Learn how toxic shock syndrome can lead to sepsis at Sepsis and Toxic Shock Syndrome.

Unknown
Upper Respiratory Infection
UTI

 

Learn how the common UTI can lead to sepsis at Sepsis and Urinary Tract Infections.

Related Resources

Michael MN.

I am a man of s64 years of age now. Generally speaking I am well, was very lucky health wise, all throughout my life. Never had been an inpatient in the hospital. Enjoyed been physically active for years, trying out a variety of physical pursuits, from kick boxing, to weight training , swimming, running, all of which I enjoyed for the most part. Trying my best to live a healthy lifestyle, but not always succeeding. Looking to eat well, alcohol in moderation. At home, on some days off from work, I noticed a burning sensation when I urinated. Thinking nothing ... Read Full Story

Submit Your StoryView More Stories

Jean Perley

So this happened to me. Right before Christmas I had a lot of lower abdominal pain and felt like I had to pee constantly. I went to the Urgent Care near me because it was a weekend. They assumed it was a UTI and called in a prescription for an antibiotic which I took until it was gone. About 3 weeks later I started having the same sensation so I went to my primary doctor. She sent off a urine sample and called in a prescription for antibiotics. (Sepsis and Urinary Tract Infections) My pharmacy failed to deliver my medication ... Read Full Story

Submit Your StoryView More Stories

Ashley D.

When I was only 13 I was diagnosed with gallstones and was told to follow up with a surgeon. When I went to the surgeon they ordered a CAT scan to make sure I did indeed have gallstones. The surgeon had told me I did not have gallstones and I went to go visit my family who at the time was living in Virginia. (Sepsis and Gallstones) When I got to Virginia things were fine at first but then I started to have stomach pain that would not go away for 2 days. I eventually went to the ER and ... Read Full Story

Submit Your StoryView More Stories

Kim Schulz

In January of 2022, the pandemic was nearly past us. I was looking forward to working at the local nursing home without wearing a mask. We had begun cautiously lowering our masks for weekly staff meetings. Our nursing home was like many in the US; we had COVID-19 patients alongside others who came to us with severe bacterial infections, including chronic MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infections. I was disappointed (but not surprised) to see the “plus sign” indicating I had COVID. Others on my team had already been sent home recently for having contracted the virus, but not before passing ... Read Full Story

Submit Your StoryView More Stories

Leslie L.

The week prior to December 4, 2023, I did not feel well. My coworkers had indicated that they all had the flu. I kept testing for Covid, which was negative. I thought I had a really bad case of the flu. Then my speech became slurred and my mental state changed. My family called 911. I was rushed to the ER/Trauma and I have very little memory of the next few weeks. I woke up without a colon and on dialysis. This was a very difficult situation being as I only have one kidney since donating a kidney to my ... Read Full Story

Submit Your StoryView More Stories

Other Topics

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.