10 celebs who secretly underwent major surgeries: From Selena Gomez to Emilia Clarke

10 celebrities who chose to keep their major surgeries under wraps

While some celebrities like to keep their fans updated on major changes in their life, including posting photos from a hospital and doctor's offices before or after procedures and surgeries, others choose to keep significant health battles hidden from public view, sometimes for decades. Here are 10 stars who quietly faced major medical procedures:

1. Chadwick Boseman

The untimely death of Chadwick Boseman in 2020 shocked the world, revealing a private battle with colon cancer, which included several surgeries. Diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, the 'Black Panther' star chose to keep his illness out of the public eye, even as he continued to work and inspire millions. 

2. Emilia Clarke

'Game of Thrones' actress Emilia Clarke underwent two surgeries for brain aneurysms in secrecy, fearing they could affect her career. It wasn't until 2019 that she bravely shared her story, shedding light on the life-threatening condition and the importance of speaking out. While speaking to ExtraTV, the actress emphasized, "I knew that I had to tell this story because I wanted people who are suffering from it to know that this is also what brain injury looks like and that you can do it. I wanted people to not feel alone if they did. I knew it was my duty, but it's hard."

3. Selena Gomez

Despite her openness about living with lupus, Selena Gomez kept her kidney transplant a closely guarded secret until after her recovery. The surgery, performed in 2017 with her friend Francia Raisa as the donor, came as a surprise to many fans. In a 2017 Instagram message, Gomez shared photos from the hospital and of her scar, and wrote, "So I found out I needed to get a kidney transplant due to my Lupus and was recovering. It was what I needed to do for my overall health." 

4. Cobie Smulders

During her tenure on 'How I Met Your Mother', Cobie Smulders battled ovarian cancer in secret. Diagnosed at 25 during the filming of the sitcom's third season, she chose to keep her struggle private until she was cancer-free for five years, giving her first interview about it in 2015. In a Women's Health exclusive, Smulders noted she had to go through multiple surgeries over two years to eliminate the cancerous tissue and share her will to create more awareness regarding the illness. 

5. Mark Ruffalo

Known for his activism as much as his acting prowess, Mark Ruffalo surprised many when he revealed that he had undergone brain surgery in 2001 during his recent appearance on the 'SmartLess' podcast. The tumor behind his left ear was discovered after a premonition led him to seek medical attention. Ruffalo shared that even though the tumor turned out to be benign, the major surgery left him with permanent deafness in one ear.

6. Matthew Perry

Matthew Perry, known for his role as Chandler Bing on 'Friends', kept his struggles with addiction and a series of surgeries hidden from the public before writing about them in his 2022 memoir 'Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing'. The actor, who died in October 2023, underwent more than a dozen surgeries, including one to address a burst colon caused by opioid use, leading to years of complications and multiple stomach surgeries.

7. Sylvester Stallone

Despite his tough-guy persona, Sylvester Stallone revealed in February this year that he had undergone seven surgeries, including spinal fusions and the insertion of a metal plate in his neck, following a debilitating injury sustained while filming 'The Expendables' in 2010. Stallone's reluctance to disclose his surgeries apparently stemmed from his desire to maintain his rugged image.

8. Kate Middleton

Kate Middleton surprised both the public and those close to her when she underwent a planned abdominal surgery in January this year. The news was carefully guarded, and even those within the royal family's inner circle were unaware of the Princess of Wales' health issue until it was publicly announced without disclosing the reason for the surgery. However, through a video message, Middleton shared she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer. 

9. Meghan Trainor

Despite her penchant for sharing details of her life, Meghan Trainor kept her second vocal cord surgery a secret for a while. The singer underwent her first vocal surgery in 2015 and it was highly publicized as she had to cancel her MTrain Tour abruptly. However, Trainor chose to keep her second major vocal surgery, which she had in 2017, under wraps until an interview with Ellen DeGeneres three months into her vocal rest. 

10. Michael Bolton

In January this year, Michael Bolton took to Facebook to share his health battle after undergoing urgent brain surgery. The singer revealed, "Just before the holidays, it was discovered that I had a brain tumor, which required immediate surgery." He expressed gratitude, writing, "Thanks to my incredible medical team, the surgery was a success. I am now recuperating at home and surrounded by the tremendous love and support of my family." Boston asserted that he was "working hard to accelerate my recovery and get back to performing soon."