30+ Celebrities with Chronic Illnesses: Hidden Struggles

Céline Dion - Stiff Person Syndrome

Stiff Person Syndrome was unexpectedly diagnosed in the singer, shaking the music industry. As she battles this uncommon, incurable condition, Dion canceled the European leg of her Courage World Tour. Stiff person syndrome causes muscle rigidity, spasms, heightened sensitivity to sound and lighting, and anxiety. I apologize for disappointing you again. “I'm working hard to regain my strength, but touring can be difficult even when you're 100%,” Celine said in a heartbreaking video. “It's not fair to you to keep postponing the shows, and even though it breaks my heart, we should cancel everything until I'm ready to perform again. Please know that I will persevere. I'm excited to meet you again!"

Anna "Chickadee" Cardwell - Stage 4 Cancer

Anna "Chickadee" Cardwell, sister of "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" star Alana Thompson and daughter of "Mama June" Shannon, was diagnosed with stage 4 adrenal cancer, which was devastating. Her stomach troubles led her to the doctor, where she was diagnosed with liver, kidney, and lung cancer. Her mother, "Mama June" Shannon, delivered bad news in July 2023. Anna has terminal cancer, so she won't go into remission. Accepting reality is hard, but they're taking it day by day. Her malignancy is unusual, affecting just one in a million people, hence her life expectancy is unknown. Anna is considering immune therapy and clinical trials after four rounds of chemo by summer. Cardwell died of cancer at 29 in December 2023.