8 Celebrities Who Had Preeclampsia

The maternal health crisis remains one of the most serious health issues facing the US, and Black women continue to take the brunt of it. According to CDC statistics, pregnancy-related deaths in the US have more than quadrupled since 1987, and a 2021 study found that Black women are three times more likely to die of pregnancy-related causes than white women. That study also found that the leading causes of pregnancy-related death for Black women are two related blood pressure disorders called preeclampsia and eclampsia. Even wealthy and famous Black women have faced these potentially deadly disorders, including celebrities like Beyoncé, Allyson Felix, and Mariah Carey.
Preeclampsia is a prenatal high blood pressure disorder and the precursor to eclampsia, a high blood pressure condition that can cause seizures and contribute to heart disease, per Mayo Clinic. Symptoms of preeclampsia include high blood pressure, proteinuria (excess protein in urine), and organ damage including to the liver and kidneys. Careful monitoring and management can keep moms and fetuses safe when preeclampsia occurs, but if left untreated, the condition can also cause complications well into pregnancy and weeks after birth, some of which can be fatal. While preeclampsia can affect any pregnant person, it is five times more likely to be fatal for Black women compared to white women, per the 2021 study. Those statistics are seriously concerning, which is why medical experts are working hard to address this crisis. In the last year, scientists have identified a new diagnostic test for preeclampsia and a potential new treatment. While research continues, speaking up and raising awareness about the condition is vital. The following celebrities have all had preeclampsia during pregnancy and are doing just that. Keep reading to see what they’ve said about their experiences with preeclampsia.