Gal Gadot Opens Up About Surviving a 'Massive Blood Clot' During Pregnancy

Actor Gal Gadot recently revealed that she was diagnosed with a massive blood clot in her brain during her eighth month of pregnancy earlier this year, requiring emergency surgery.

In a candid Instagram post on Sunday, the 39-year-old Wonder Woman star shared that in February, she began experiencing excruciating headaches that confined me to bed for weeks. After undergoing an MRI, the diagnosis was revealed.

I finally underwent an MRI that uncovered the terrifying truth. In an instant, my family and I were confronted with the fragility of life. It served as a stark reminder of how quickly everything can change. Amid such a challenging year, all I wanted was to survive and embrace life, she wrote.

Gadot was immediately hospitalized and underwent emergency surgery within hours. Her daughter was born during this uncertain and fearful moment.

My daughter, Ori, was born at a time of uncertainty and fear. Her name, meaning 'my light,' was no coincidence. Before the surgery, I told Jaron that when our daughter arrived, she would be the light at the end of the tunnel, she explained.

The mother of four expressed gratitude to the doctors at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles for their dedicated care.

I made it through and began my recovery journey. Today, I am fully healed and overwhelmed with gratitude for the life I’ve been given back, she wrote.

Reflecting on her experience, Gadot emphasized the importance of listening to one's body and staying aware.

First, it’s crucial to listen to our bodies and trust the signals they give us. Pain, discomfort, or even subtle changes often carry deeper meaning, and being attuned to your body can be life-saving, she noted.

Second, awareness matters. I didn’t know that 3 in 100,000 pregnant women over 30 develop CVT (a blood clot in the brain). Early detection is vital because it’s treatable. While rare, it’s a possibility, and understanding it is the first step to addressing it. My intent in sharing this is not to scare anyone but to empower. If even one person is inspired to take action for their health because of this story, it will have been worth sharing.

Gadot and her husband, Jaron Varsano, are parents to four daughters.

Although Gadot announced the birth of Ori in March, she did not initially disclose her health scare at the time.

My sweet girl, welcome. The pregnancy wasn’t easy, but we made it through, she wrote on Instagram then. You’ve brought so much light into our lives, living up to your name, Ori, which means ‘my light’ in Hebrew. Our hearts are full of gratitude.