Gal Gadot Reveals She Had a Massive Blood Clot in Her Brain While Pregnant: “I Nearly Lost Everything”

In a deeply moving Instagram post, Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot revealed she had faced a life-threatening medical emergency — a massive blood clot in her brain — while she was eight months pregnant with her youngest daughter.

“2024 has been a year of profound challenges and deep reflection,” Gadot wrote. “By sharing this, I hope to show the fragile reality behind the curated moments we share on social media.”

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A terrifying diagnosis

In February 2024, during the final stretch of her pregnancy with baby Ori, Gadot began suffering from excruciating headaches that left her bedridden for weeks. When she finally underwent an MRI, doctors discovered the terrifying cause —

a large cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), a rare but dangerous blood clot in the brain.

“In one moment, my family and I were confronted with how fragile life can be,” Gadot shared. “All I wanted was to hold on — and live.”

She was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, where she underwent emergency surgery to remove the clot. Amid the fear and uncertainty, Gadot gave birth to her daughter Ori — whose name, meaning

“my light” in Hebrew, became a symbol of hope.

“Before the surgery, I told Jaron that our daughter would be the light waiting for me at the end of this tunnel,” she recalled.

“Listen to your body — it can save your life”

Now fully recovered, Gadot expressed immense gratitude to the medical team who saved her life.

“It’s vital to listen to our bodies and trust what they’re telling us,” she wrote. “Pain, discomfort, or even subtle changes often carry deeper meaning — and being attuned to your body can be lifesaving.”

According to StatPearls (U.S. National Library of Medicine), Cerebral Venous Thrombosis (CVT) is a rare condition that can lead to brain swelling, bleeding, and stroke-like symptoms. It occurs three times more often in women

— largely due to pregnancy, postpartum factors, or hormone treatments.

Raising awareness for others

Gadot said she chose to go public with her story to empower others and raise awareness about CVT.

“I had no idea that three in every 100,000 pregnant women in their 30s develop a blood clot in the brain,” she wrote. “Knowing it exists is the first step to addressing it.”

“If even one person feels compelled to take action for their health because of this story, it will have been worth sharing.”

Today, Gal Gadot — mother to Alma, Maya, Daniella, and Ori

— stands as a living reminder that even heroes can face moments of fragility. Her journey is not just about survival but about rediscovering the strength that lies in vulnerability.

“Sometimes, it’s in our weakest moments that we discover our true power.” — Gal Gadot