In March 2024, Gal Gadot welcomed her fourth daughter, Ori, marking another milestone in her family journey with her husband Jaron Varsano and their daughters Alma, Maya, Daniella, and newborn Ori. However, behind the scenes, Gadot’s journey through her fourth pregnancy was marked by a life-threatening ordeal involving a CVT brain clot—a dramatic event she has recently brought into the spotlight, sharing its impact on her family and herself. This revelation came as a shock to many, given Gadot’s public image as ‘Wonder Woman’, and underscored the gravity of her experience as she faced the reality of a severe health scare while also navigating her demanding career and personal life. The Gal Gadot CVT brain clot experience has drawn attention since her candid public recounting at the Women’s Guild Cedars-Sinai Snow Ball gala.
Managing Family, Work, and an Unexpected Diagnosis
Gal Gadot has always been known not only for her acclaimed roles but her devotion to her family. Married to Jaron Varsano since 2008, she balances life with their four daughters. Yet, as she entered the eighth month of her fourth pregnancy in 2023, Gadot found herself grappling with more than the demands of work and parenthood. She described a time when a sudden and intense headache struck, powerful enough to halt her daily life for weeks.
Heeding her mother’s advice, Gadot pursued medical tests, which led to a harrowing discovery. As recounted by various news sources, her visit to the hospital revealed that her health was in far more danger than she initially suspected. The concern quickly escalated when she received a phone call from her doctor urging her to return to the hospital immediately due to the seriousness of her condition.
“Last year, my life took an unexpected turn. I was eight months pregnant, juggling family, work and everything in-between when I started to feel the kind of headache that makes the world stop for three weeks.”
— Gal Gadot, Hollywood Icon Award acceptance speech, Women’s Guild Cedars-Sinai Snow Ball gala.
The Diagnosis: Cerebral Venous Thrombosis
The severity of Gadot’s condition became clear when doctors revealed she was suffering from a CVT brain clot. Cerebral Venous Thrombosis (CVT) disrupts blood drainage from the brain and can have devastating consequences if left untreated. For Gadot, the diagnosis landed in a moment of deep vulnerability, complicated by her advanced pregnancy and concerns for her unborn child’s health.
“Before we even got back home, my phone rang and my doctor said, ‘You need to come to the hospital right now. It’s serious. You have a massive brain clot.’ From that moment, I just could not understand anything. English was out the window. My husband was speaking to different doctors, and all I could think was — am I going to die? Is this how it feels before you die? Are they going to be able to save me? Is the baby going to be okay?’”
— Gal Gadot, Hollywood Icon Award acceptance speech, Women’s Guild Cedars-Sinai Snow Ball gala.
Gadot’s recollections show the profound psychological and emotional weight of the event. As her husband Jaron Varsano communicated anxiously with the medical staff, Gadot was left wrestling with overwhelming uncertainty—fearful not only for herself but also for the safety of Ori, her unborn daughter at the time. The scene underscored the isolation, confusion, and desperation that accompany such major health emergencies, especially at such a sensitive stage in pregnancy.
Recovery, Gratitude, and Looking Forward
Despite the intense health scare, both Gal Gadot and her daughter Ori made it through safely. Gadot has since described the outcome as receiving a pair of unmatched gifts: the birth of her healthy daughter and a restored chance at life. She first shared Ori’s arrival and her struggle publicly in March 2024 with a heartfelt photo from the hospital room, introducing Ori to the world and explaining the significance of her name, which means “My Light” in Hebrew. The revelation of her ordeal also highlighted that she and her husband had chosen to keep the details of her high-risk pregnancy private, only sharing their story after Ori’s safe delivery.
This experience has deeply impacted Gadot and her family, reinforcing their resilience and unity through an immense challenge. Her story has resonated not just with fans but with those aware of the risks associated with pregnancy and rare medical conditions such as a CVT brain clot. Her openness about the ordeal demonstrates vulnerability, courage, and an appreciation for life, especially after facing the kind of event that could change everything in an instant.
The Broader Impact and Importance of Awareness
Gal Gadot’s story brings significant attention to the realities of cerebral venous thrombosis, particularly in the context of pregnancy. By choosing to discuss her condition publicly at a prominent event such as the Women’s Guild Cedars-Sinai Snow Ball gala, and through global platforms, she may encourage others to seek prompt medical advice when experiencing unusual symptoms. Her experience serves as a reminder of how quickly health situations can escalate and the importance of timely medical intervention.
As her family celebrates their newest addition and Gadot continues to recover, her openness sheds light on issues that can affect anyone—regardless of status or circumstance. Health professionals, patient support groups, and countless fans continue to reference Gal Gadot’s CVT brain clot ordeal as both a cautionary tale and a message of hope for recovery after medical crises. The lasting effect of her story is sure to influence conversations about pregnancy health and neurological care, driving further understanding and support for those facing similar challenges.
