Category: 50 Celebrities With Diabetes

Minnie Pearl was enjoyed by millions for her performance from the Grand Ole Opry and the hit TV show, Hee Haw. Pearl was born Sarah Ophelia Colley in 1912. She is a native of Centerville, Tennessee. In that day, age and part of the country, her family was embarrassed that she chose a career as a comedian in show business. Pearl started out producing as well as directing plays in her small community. She was a comedic legend with a stage presence that could never be copied. Pearl took her audience to new levels and they enjoyed turning in to her where ever she was. Sadly, Minnie Pearl died in 1996 of a stroke. She was 84 years old.

Pearl had to deal with many health issues, in addition to diabetes. She conquered her battle with breast cancer, but she lost her battle with stroke. When Pearl won her long fight against breast cancer, she began speaking out in favor of the Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. A cancer foundation was founded in her name and inspiration.

Mick Fleetwood was born Michael John Kells Fleetwood in 1947. He is a native of Redruth, Cornwall, United Kingdom. Fleetwood was one of the founding members of the band Fleetwood Mac. He had a rough childhood which led him to drop out of school at the young age of 15. Fleetwood decided then that he would go to London to become a drummer. His career had several levels, including various bands and small TV and film rolls. He will always be remembered for his Fleetwood Mac performances. In November of 2002, Fleetwood became a U.S. citizen. Mick Fleetwood is 61 years old.

Fleetwood has had several bouts of hypoglycemia while drumming for Fleetwood Mac. In 1979, doctors told him that he had diabetes. When Fleetwood was diagnosed, he did not know what was happening. Finally he received the news that he had a mild case of diabetes. With diet and exercise he was able to keep it under control.

Tommy Lee was born Tommy Lee Bass in 1962. He is a native of Athens, Greece. However, shortly after he was born the family moved to California. Lee’s father is of Welsh American and his mother is of Greek descent. Lee is most famous for being the drummer of the 80’s heavy metal band Mötley Crüe. He has been married to Pamela Anderson as well as Heather Locklear.

Lee has been in trouble with the law on a few occasions and is considered a bad boy or the heavy metal industry. In addition to Mötley Crüe, Lee has formed other bands as well. The one that lee is presently with is called Electro Mayhem. Tommy Lee is 46 years old.

  was born Jack Roosevelt Robinson in 1919. He is a native of Cairo, Georgia. Robinson is one of the most famous baseball players to date. In 1947, he became the first major league African-American star. His career was the start of the end of baseball segregation. Robinson has won many awards including the first “Rookie of the Year”, “National League MVP” as well as the “Presidential Medal of Freedom”. Not only did he portray freedom in American sports, he also spoke out in the civil rights movement. Robinson supported Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962 and his player number 42 was retired in 1997. Jackie Robinson was an icon in American history. He died in 1972 of heart disease a well as complications to diabetes. Robinson was 53 years old.

Jackie Robinson

Robinson suffered from diabetes and heart problems through his later life. He was almost completely blind because of the diabetes. Robinson, who had to deal with more than his health issues in his life, died at an early age because of his illnesses.

Thomas Edison was one of the most famous inventors in American history. He was born in 1847, a native of Milan, Ohio. Edison was credited with 1300 patented inventions, including the phonograph, the incandescent light bulb and the motion picture camera. Edison was only in school for 3 months. His mother took him out and home schooled him the remainder of his years. Edison believed that mass-production was the best method to make profit for his inventions. By 1887, 121 Edison power stations delivered electricity to homes and businesses. He launched propaganda to the people that AC was dangerous to use and the DC that he produced was the more practical way to go. Thomas Edison died in 1931. He was 84 years old.

Edison was diagnosed with diabetes in his lifetime. He made an effort to control and maintain his disease with a healthy lifestyle. Edison did not drink and he did not eat meat.

Ty Cobb was born Tyrus Raymond Cobb in 1886. He was from Narrows, Georgia. Cobb is an all-star baseball icon. He was dubbed one of the best baseball stars in American history. His nickname was “The Georgia Peach”. Even though Cobb had type 1 diabetes, he played for the Detroit Tigers and the Philadelphia Athletics. He batted .320 or more for 23 consecutive seasons. Cobbs broke several all time records as well. As of 2007, there are still records that have been unbeatable. These include highest career batting average and most career batting titles. His style is still impressive to this day.

Various other baseball players have tried time and time again to beat the unbeatable. In 1939, Cobb was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Ty Cobbs died in 1961 from cancer, complications of diabetes as well as heart disease. He was 75 years old.

Winnie Mandela was born Nomzamo Winifred Zanyiwe Madikizela in 1936. She is a popular figure in her native Brizana, South Africa. Even though, it was difficult for a black woman to get an education during the apartheid, she accomplished his goal. Mandela received a degree in social work as well as a bachelor’s degree in international relations. She was forced to live for years on an island; she struggled with diabetes while in that state of isolation. Mandela was only allowed to return to visit her husband in prison. Mandela had problem with the law as well when she was convicted of fraud and theft. Later a judge over turned the theft charge leaving her with a fraud conviction and a 3 years suspended sentence.

Mandela has been the leader of the African National Congress’ Women’s League and is now a member of the African National Congress’ Nation Executive Committee. Winnie Mandela is currently 72 years old.

Andrew Lloyd Webber was born in 1948 from his native home town of London, England. He is a world famous musical composer. Lloyd Webber is most known for his musical genius through stage work. These include “Cats”, “Evita” and “The Phantom of the Opera”. He has obtained several awards for his performances including Academy Award, Tony Awards and a Grammy. The list of achievements is unlimited. Andrew Lloyd Webber is still composing at 60 years old.

When a young teen, Lloyd Webber did not let his friends know that he had diabetes. They in turn shared with him news articles that made mention of diabetes.

Spencer Tracy entered the world in 1900 from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was a brilliant stage and screen actor. In his career, he achieved several awards and nominations. Tracy appeared in over 70 films in his career and won two Academy awards. He was nominated for 9 Academy Awards as well. Tracy is remembered from such films as “Goldie”, “It’s a Small World”, “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” and “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner”. Spencer Tracy died in 1967 of a heart attack. He was 67 years old.

Tracy has had various health problems through his life including diabetes. Nevertheless, he was always supporting other actors and actresses with their illnesses. Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn stayed at the bedside of the dying Humphrey Bogart.

Anne Rice‘s birth name is unusual. She was born Howard Allen O’Brien. The date of birth is 1941 and she is from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her birth name was given to her by her mother. This was because her father was named Howard and she thought it was a strong name that would give her an advantage in the world. She later adopted the name Anne in first grade. Rice is known for her vampire tales. She has sold more than 100 million copies of her books. They are still to this day selling like hot cakes. Rice is famous for her books including “Interview with the Vampire”, “The Witching Hour” and “Blackwood Farm”. Anne Rice is 67 years old.

Rice experienced many symptoms that she could not explain. These included a writer’s block, indigestion after every meal and weight loss. Rice ignored the symptoms and continued to work as normal. In 1998, Rice went into a coma. Doctors found that she had a blood sugar level of 800. Rice then joined the other celebrities who had been diagnosed as having type 1 diabetes. After this episode, she began speaking out for the awareness of diabetes.