7 Famous People Who Recently Revealed Their Battle With Liver Disease (Latest 2024 Updates)

The liver, a vital organ responsible for over 500 essential functions, is often called the body’s silent workhorse. When this powerhouse begins to fail, the consequences are severe and life-altering, a reality that even the world’s most famous personalities are not immune to. As of December 12, 2025, a new wave of celebrity health revelations has brought critical liver conditions—from MASH and cirrhosis to rare genetic disorders—into the public spotlight, sparking crucial conversations about prevention and early detection.

The bravery of these athletes, actors, and reality stars in sharing their health struggles provides a powerful, humanizing look at conditions that affect millions globally. Their stories offer a fresh perspective on the reality of chronic illness, proving that fame and fortune offer no shield against complex medical diagnoses. Below are the most recent and significant updates on famous individuals battling various forms of liver disease.

Recent High-Profile Liver Disease Diagnoses & Updates (2024)

The past year has seen several major figures openly discuss their liver conditions, providing fresh, detailed information about their specific diagnoses, treatments, and ongoing struggles. These are the most current stories making headlines.

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1. Dan Marino: The NFL Legend Battling MASH

NFL Hall of Famer and Miami Dolphins icon Dan Marino recently shared his diagnosis of Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), formerly known as NASH. This revelation, made public in 2024 as part of a health campaign, shed light on a condition often called "silent" because it presents with few symptoms in its early stages.

• Full Name: Daniel Constantine Marino Jr.
• Born: September 15, 1961 (Age 64 as of 2025)
• Occupation: Former NFL Quarterback, Football Analyst
• Specific Disease: MASH (Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis), a severe form of fatty liver disease.
• Diagnosis Details: Marino was initially diagnosed in 2007 but kept the condition private for years. MASH is characterized by liver inflammation and damage caused by a buildup of fat, which can lead to advanced scarring (fibrosis) and cirrhosis.
• Current Status: Marino is actively involved in raising awareness about MASH, urging people with risk factors like type 2 diabetes and obesity to get screened.

2. Sana Makbul: The Reality Star’s Autoimmune Battle

Following her victory on a major reality television show in 2024, Indian actress and model Sana Makbul made a shocking health revelation, detailing her fight with a severe autoimmune liver condition.

• Full Name: Sana Makbul Khan
• Born: June 13, 1993 (Age 32 as of 2025)
• Occupation: Actress, Model, Reality TV Star (Bigg Boss OTT 3 winner)
• Specific Disease: Liver Cirrhosis caused by Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH).
• Diagnosis Details: Makbul's autoimmune system was attacking her liver, leading to inflammation and severe scarring (cirrhosis). She was diagnosed after initial signs in 2020.
• Current Status: In 2024, she revealed she was undergoing immunotherapy treatment and expressed her desire to recover without needing a liver transplant.

3. Sam Vanderpump: End-Stage Disease from a Rare Genetic Condition

The star of the reality show 'Made in Chelsea' brought attention to rare genetic liver conditions with his candid sharing of an "end-stage" diagnosis.

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• Full Name: Sam Vanderpump
• Born: 1997 (Age 28 as of 2025)
• Occupation: Reality Television Personality, Entrepreneur
• Specific Disease: End-Stage Liver Disease resulting from Congenital Hepatic Fibrosis (CHF) and Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD).
• Diagnosis Details: He was born with these rare conditions, which remained dormant until an infection triggered the progression to end-stage failure. The combination of CHF and PKD significantly increased his risk of both liver and kidney failure.
• Current Status: His public revelation in late 2024 highlighted the immediate need for a liver transplant and the importance of organ donation awareness.

The Unseen Struggle: Celebrity Liver Transplants and Ongoing Battles

The path to liver health often involves major surgical intervention or a lifelong regimen of medication. These celebrities have faced the ultimate test of survival, offering hope and advocacy to others.

4. Bernie Kosar: The Post-Transplant Journey

Another NFL great, Bernie Kosar, has been open about his challenging journey through advanced liver failure and subsequent transplant, providing continuous updates on his recovery.

• Full Name: Bernard Joseph Kosar Jr.
• Born: November 25, 1963 (Age 62 as of 2025)
• Occupation: Former NFL Quarterback
• Specific Disease: Advanced Liver Cirrhosis.
• Diagnosis Details: Kosar was diagnosed with cirrhosis in March 2023, a condition often linked to his battle with early-stage Parkinson's disease and a series of dangerous internal bleeding episodes.
• Current Status: He received a life-saving liver transplant on November 17, 2023. His recovery has been complicated, including a return to the hospital due to an E. coli infection, but he continues to share emotional updates and advocate for health awareness.

5. August Alsina: Living with a Self-Fighting Immune System

The R&B singer has used his platform to discuss the daily realities of an autoimmune disorder that targets the liver, a chronic condition that is often misunderstood.

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• Full Name: August Anthony Alsina Jr.
• Born: September 1, 1992 (Age 33 as of 2025)
• Occupation: R&B Singer, Songwriter
• Specific Disease: A genetic liver disease where his autoimmune system is "fighting against itself."
• Current Status: Alsina has been candid about being "sick all the time" and the constant struggle of managing a chronic, self-attacking illness. His story highlights the emotional and physical toll of long-term autoimmune disorders.

6. Eric Abidal: The Inspiring Return from Liver Cancer

The former FC Barcelona and French national team defender's story is one of incredible resilience, demonstrating the power of modern medicine and the human spirit.

• Full Name: Éric Sylvain Abidal
• Born: September 11, 1979 (Age 46 as of 2025)
• Occupation: Former Professional Footballer, Sports Director
• Specific Disease: Liver Tumor (Hepatocellular Carcinoma).
• Diagnosis Details: Abidal was diagnosed with a liver tumor in 2011. He underwent surgery and, later, a liver transplant in 2012.
• Current Status: His remarkable return to professional football after his transplant is often cited as one of the most inspiring comebacks in sports history, a testament to his recovery and determination.

7. Naomi Judd: Pioneering Advocacy for Hepatitis C

While her disease was diagnosed decades ago, Naomi Judd’s public battle was instrumental in changing the conversation around infectious liver diseases.

• Full Name: Diana Ellen Judd
• Born: January 11, 1946 – Died: April 30, 2022
• Occupation: Country Music Singer, Actress
• Specific Disease: Hepatitis C.
• Diagnosis Details: Judd was diagnosed with chronic Hepatitis C in 1990, a disease that can lead to severe liver damage, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
• Legacy: Her openness about the disease, which she contracted from a contaminated needle during her time as a nurse, helped destigmatize the condition and raised massive awareness for liver health and the need for new treatments.

Understanding the Spectrum of Liver Disease: Entities and Key Terms

The diagnoses of these famous figures cover a wide spectrum of liver conditions, from metabolic to autoimmune and genetic. Understanding the specific terminology is crucial for grasping the severity and treatment of these diseases. The liver's role in filtering toxins, producing bile, and regulating blood sugar makes any impairment a systemic health crisis.

• MASH (Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis): Previously NASH, this is a progressive form of fatty liver disease not caused by alcohol. It is strongly linked to metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, and can lead to cirrhosis.
• Liver Cirrhosis: The final stage of chronic liver disease, where healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue (fibrosis), permanently impairing liver function. It can be caused by various factors, including chronic alcohol use, viral hepatitis, and MASH.
• Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH): A condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks liver cells, causing inflammation and liver damage. It often requires immunosuppressive drugs like corticosteroids and can lead to cirrhosis if untreated.
• Congenital Hepatic Fibrosis (CHF): A rare, genetic disorder present from birth, characterized by scarring of the liver and portal hypertension (high blood pressure in the liver's blood vessels).
• Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD): Often co-occurs with CHF, this genetic condition causes cysts to grow in the kidneys, leading to kidney failure, and is a significant risk factor for liver complications.
• Liver Transplant: A life-saving procedure to replace a diseased or failing liver with a healthy one from a deceased or living donor. This is the ultimate treatment for end-stage liver failure.
• Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC): The most common type of primary liver cancer, often developing in people with chronic liver diseases like Hepatitis or cirrhosis.

The willingness of high-profile individuals to share their private health struggles has a profound impact, not only by providing a fresh source of news but by elevating public knowledge about severe conditions like MASH, autoimmune hepatitis, and the critical need for organ donation. Their ongoing battles serve as a powerful reminder of the fragility of health and the importance of early diagnostic screening for everyone.