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. 2024. https://www.sepsis.org/sepsisand/celebrities/

Updated June 6, 2024.

 

Likely Sepsis Cases By Illness:

Bacterial Infection
  • Ashley Park, actress – treated for tonsillitis 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

Bianca A.

In August of last year, I began to experience the typical symptoms of a urinary tract infection. As a physician assistant by trade, I felt I should do my due diligence to nip this in the bud. I went to my PCP as soon as I could for a urine sample (which was abnormal), culture, and first-line antibiotic. Two days later, my symptoms had gotten worse, and I felt a bit “off” and feverish. I did not have a true fever, so I called the office. They sent in a broader antibiotic and warned me to go to the ER ... Read Full Story

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Alexa Spivey

I woke up on November 25, 2023 with a fever of 104° and severe stomach virus symptoms. My family was busy getting ready for my niece’s 1st birthday party, so they weren’t able to give me the full attention I needed. After trying to sleep it off for 4 hours, my symptoms worsened, and I was scared something really bad was going to happen. At this point, my boyfriend stopped helping with the party and drove me to the ER. Once I arrived, they gave me an IV, and ran tons of tests. I originally must’ve had a severe case ... Read Full Story

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Roger Pitre

I want to share my story to raise awareness about the dangers of cellulitis and the importance of seeking medical care early. Without quick action, I might not be here today to tell this story. (Sepsis and Cellulitis) It started with a small blister on my hand from removing ceramic tiles during a home improvement project. I also nicked my hand near the blister. I cleaned the wound, bandaged it, and thought nothing more of it. A few days later, on my 50th birthday, I felt disoriented and developed arm pain, a fever, and nausea. Thinking it might be a ... Read Full Story

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Stephanie Lambert

On July 14, 2024, I stepped on a cat’s foot or tail and it bit me. Little did I know that despite seeking medical care and receiving my first antibiotic doses within 36 hours of the bite, that I would end up admitted to the hospital with secondary cellulitis and sepsis by the fifth day following the bite. (Sepsis and Animal Bites, Sepsis and Cellulitis) I was very fortunate that I made it to the hospital before I reached the point of having septic shock. Because the specific bacteria (Strep type A) was not identified until the third day of ... Read Full Story

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Lindsey Rowe

I’m 35 and have been an ICU nurse for 13 years. I have taken care of many patients in septic shock. Yet when I was sent home from two ERs with a “just a virus” diagnosis, I didn’t think much of it. I was the sickest I had ever been, but if they thought I was okay? I must be. I woke up from a nap literally blue. Everything hurt, including wearing clothes. My husband luckily didn’t listen to me and immediately called 911. The paramedics who came couldn’t get my blood pressure to read. They had an even harder ... Read Full Story

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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.