In March, Israeli actress Gal Gadot and her husband Jaron Varsano posted a photo of their newborn daughter, Ori, on social media — surprising many of Gadot’s fans who weren’t aware she was pregnant. In that post, the actress shared, “This pregnancy was not easy but we made it through.”
Now, Gadot is sharing more about the terrifying circumstances around Ori’s birth. On Sunday, the Wonder Woman actress shared that she was diagnosed with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) — or, a blood clot in the brain that can lead to a stroke if not treated — at the end of her pregnancy.
“In February, during my eighth month of pregnancy, I was diagnosed with a massive blood clot in my brain,” Gadot posted on social media. “For weeks, I had endured excruciating headaches that confined me to bed, until I finally underwent an MRI that revealed the terrifying truth. In one moment, my family and I were faced with how fragile life can be. It was a stark reminder of how quickly everything can change, and in the midst of a difficult year, all I wanted was to hold on and live.”
Gadot continued that she was rushed to the hospital to undergo emergency surgery. “My daughter, Ori, was born during that moment of uncertainty and fear. Her name, meaning “my light,” wasn’t chosen by chance,” she continued. “Before the surgery, I told Jaron that when our daughter arrived, she would be the light waiting for me at the end of this tunnel. Thanks to an extraordinary team of doctors at @cedarssinai and weeks of dedicated care, I made it through and began the road to recovery. Today, I am fully healed and filled with gratitude for the life I’ve been given back.”
“The journey has taught me so much,” Gadot continued. “First, it’s vital to listen to our bodies and trust what it’s telling us. Pain, discomfort, or even subtle changes often carry deeper meaning, and being attuned to your body can be life saving.”
As someone who has been pregnant and felt paranoid sharing strange symptoms with my OB, Gal Gadot’s message about advocating for yourself hits home. It’s hard not to imagine yourself in her scenario, wondering if the headaches are “just another weird pregnancy symptom.” We’re grateful Gadot spoke up for herself — and hope her story inspires other women to do the same.
In her Instagram post from earlier this year introducing Ori, Gadot wrote, “You have brought so much light into our lives, living up to your name, Ori, which means ‘my light’ in Hebrew.”
We can only imagine the relief and emotion that went into choosing that name, a gender-neutral pick that is growing in popularity and often given to babies born around Hanukkah. Perhaps that connection is what inspired Gadot to share about her health scare during the Festival of Lights — and to close her post with a powerful message:
“As we celebrate Hanukkah, a holiday of light and miracles, I reflect on the personal miracle I was granted. My daughter, Ori, is a constant reminder of resilience, hope, and the strength we carry within. My wish is that we all find our light, experience our own miracles, and continue to advocate for our health and for one another.”
Aside from spending 2024 enjoying baby Orli with Varson and their other three daughters, Maya, Alma and Daniella, the family also celebrated the joyous occasion of Alma’s bat mitzvah.
“Thank you for choosing me to be your mother, for choosing us to be your parents,” Gadot posted on Instagram, alongside a family photo. “There is no mountain too high for you, and no ocean too wide and deep that you cannot conquer. Love you forever and always, Ima.”
In 2020, Gadot shared that the Jewish prayer “modeh ani” keeps her grounded. “I say thank you every morning. In the Jewish culture, there’s a prayer that you’re supposed to say every time you wake up in the morning to thank God for, you know, keeping you alive and dadadada. You say ‘modeh ani,’ which means ‘I give thanks,’” she told Vanity Fair. “So every morning I wake up and step out of bed and I say, ‘Thank you for everything, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.’ Nothing is to be taken for granted.”
We can imagine that prayer takes on an even greater significance these days for this strong actress and mom. We’re so happy you’re healthy, Gal!
