Amy Grant reveals how her major medical challenges in last 4 years changed her perspective on life

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Amy Grant, the Grammy-winning singer, revealed her reshaped outlook on life and how she values her well-being following two serious health events over the past four years.

Now 63, Grant underwent open heart surgery in 2020, followed by a brain injury in 2022 after a biking accident.

Amy Grant's envisioned living well into her 90's

Before learning about her heart condition, Amy Grant envisioned living a long life. 

"I always saw myself living well into my nineties. My great-grandmother lived to be 94," Grant told People, adding, "She was sharp in the mind."

However, she explained that the diagnosis gave her a new outlook.

"To realize something can happen that you never see coming, and it could be over...everything became more precious," said the 'Lucky One' singer.

Grant also works with the American Heart Association to promote heart health awareness.

Amy Grant's heart diagnosis came as a surprise

The 'Every Heartbeat' singer's heart issue, known as PAPVR (partial anomalous pulmonary venous return), came to light when she accompanied her husband, singer Vince Gill, 67, to a medical appointment.

Grant recalled that after doctors reassured Gill that his issue was manageable, they recommended she get tested too.

“After giving Vince the 'great' news, 'You're just fat and out of shape' — and Vince said, 'Tell me something I don't know!' — the doctor looked at me and said, 'I want to see you,'” Grant told People.

The diagnosis revealed that her heart condition required surgery, as the defect caused certain blood vessels to attach incorrectly, making the heart work harder.

Describing her condition as a "ticking time bomb in my chest," Grant shared she always attributed her fast heart rate to needing better stamina.

“I just learned to push through because that's what women do,” she quipped.

“I was one of those women who's like, 'I'm fine. I'm fine. I'm the Energizer Bunny,' and then I just would've died. And I'm not ready to die,” the singer stated.

Amy Grant's brain injury led to memory loss

After her open heart surgery in June 2020, Amy Grant dedicated herself to a regular swimming routine, leading to what she says was her best physical shape in years.

But in July 2022, she suffered another setback when she hit a pothole while biking in Nashville. Despite wearing a helmet, she sustained a brain injury, which caused her memory issues.

Grant recalled feeling anxious about her recovery, asking herself, “What if I'm never all the way back?”

She described feeling present but unable to fully participate in conversations, explaining, "I could be in the room with people, but I didn't have a comeback."

Over time, her memory improved, and she feels back to normal now.

“Whatever memory issues I have, I think are age-appropriate. I'm about to be 64. So I'm just going, 'I'm right on time,'” said Grant.

Health scares have deepened Amy Grant's appreciation for family

Amy Grant has three children from her first marriage to musician Gary Chapman and shares her daughter Corrina Grant Gill, 23, with Vince Gill, who also has a daughter, Jennifer Gill, from his previous marriage.

Grant shared that the challenges have brought her family closer.

“This has made us all look at each other with a kind of appreciation," she told the publication.

She is set to begin her annual Christmas concert series with Gill in Nashville at the end of the month, marking the couple's fourteenth year of holiday performances together.

“I think being together maybe was a little bit on autopilot, and it doesn't feel that way now," she said.