Gal Gadot is sharing a shocking and powerful reminder about the importance of health checks and listening to your body, reflecting on a life-threatening health scare she experienced during her pregnancy. The 39-year-old Wonder Woman actress took to Instagram on Sunday to open up about her past struggle with a shocking “massive blood clot” in her brain that was discovered during her eighth month of pregnancy.
“For weeks, I had endured excruciating headaches that confined me to bed, until I finally underwent an MRI that revealed the terrifying truth,” Gadot wrote, recalling the intense pain that led her to seek medical attention.
The actress explained that the diagnosis was a sudden and terrifying moment for her family. “In one moment, my family and I were faced with how fragile life can be. It was a stark reminder of how quickly everything can change, and in the midst of a difficult year, all I wanted was to hold on and live.”
Gadot described the harrowing experience of being rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery, where she gave birth to her daughter Ori, now 9 months old, in the same procedure. “Her name, meaning ‘my light,’ wasn’t chosen by chance,” Gadot shared.
“Before the surgery, I told [my husband] Jaron that when our daughter arrived, she would be the light waiting for me at the end of this tunnel.” She expressed her gratitude toward the “extraordinary team of doctors” at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles for their care, and reassured fans that she has fully recovered.
In her post, Gadot emphasized the importance of listening to your body and seeking help when something feels wrong. “Pain, discomfort, or even subtle changes often carry a deeper meaning, and being attuned to your body can be life-saving,” she wrote. “Awareness matters.”
She added that 3 in 100,000 pregnant women over 30 are diagnosed with CVT (cerebral venous thrombosis), a blood clot in the brain, stressing the importance of early detection. While her story could be alarming, Gadot clarified that her goal was to “empower” others to take their health seriously. “If even one person feels compelled to take action for their health because of this story, it will have been worth sharing,” she concluded.
The actress also shared a link to an informational page on strokes from the American Heart Association and encouraged others to be proactive about their health. Gadot, married to film producer Jaron Varsano, is also mom to Alma, 13, Maya, 7, and Daniella, 3.