Israeli actress Gal Gadot has shared that she underwent surgery last March to address a blood clot in her brain, following the birth of her fourth child.
The Wonder Woman star revealed she was eight months pregnant when she was diagnosed with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) after enduring “excruciating headaches” that left her bedridden for weeks.
“I finally underwent an MRI that revealed the terrifying truth. In one moment, my family and I were faced with how fragile life can be,” Gadot wrote on Instagram. “It was a stark reminder of how quickly everything can change. We rushed to the hospital, and within hours, I underwent emergency surgery.”
During this challenging time, Gadot gave birth to her daughter Ori, whose name means “my light.” She explained, “Her name wasn’t chosen by chance. Before the surgery, I told Jaron that when our daughter arrived, she would be the light waiting for me at the end of this tunnel.”
Gadot expressed gratitude to the “extraordinary” medical team at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles for their dedicated care. “I made it through and began the road to recovery. Today, I am fully healed and filled with gratitude for the life I’ve been given back,” she said.
Reflecting on her experience, Gadot emphasized the importance of listening to one’s body. “Pain, discomfort, or even subtle changes often carry deeper meaning, and being attuned to your body can be life-saving,” she noted.
She also highlighted the need for awareness, pointing out that while CVT is rare, it affects three in 100,000 pregnant women over 30. “It’s so important to identify early because it’s treatable,” she added.
Gadot and her husband of 16 years, Jaron Versano, are proud parents to four daughters: Alma, 13; Maya, 7; Daniella, 3; and Ori, 9 months.
