Vicki Gunvalson Illness and Health Update - What Happened to Vicki Gunvalson?
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Updated Aug 31, 2024
Vicki Gunvalson Illness and Health Update
Vicki Gunvalson from Real Housewives of Orange County recently shared a serious health update. She initially thought she was having a stroke, but it turned out to be pneumonia and sepsis, a dangerous reaction to an infection. Doctors gave her only a 10% to 20% chance of survival.
The reality star recalled feeling disoriented, with her boyfriend's daughter noticing she was speaking gibberish. After a hospital visit, she was diagnosed with pneumonia and sepsis. Though she's now recovering at home, she still feels very low on energy.
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What Happened to Vicki Gunvalson?
Vicki Gunvalson is diagnosed with pneumonia and sepsis. Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. It leads to symptoms like chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can start in the community or develop while in the hospital.
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that happens when the body’s immune system overreacts to an infection. This overreaction can cause severe complications like organ failure and even death. Sepsis can be triggered by infections like pneumonia, urinary tract infections, or skin infections. Symptoms include fever, chills, confusion, and difficulty breathing. Sepsis requires immediate medical attention to prevent serious outcomes.
Vicki Gunvalson Past Health Battles
At just 5 years old, Vicki Gunvalson was diagnosed with an inner ear tumor called cholesteatoma. After surgery to remove it, she lost 50% of her hearing in her right ear. By age 25, after five more surgeries, she completely lost hearing in that ear.
When she was 32, the tumor grew back, affecting her facial nerve and creeping toward her brain. She underwent a final surgery, which carried risks of facial nerve damage. Fortunately, she fully recovered, though she remains deaf in her right ear. Vicki Gunvalson revealed that she had battled cancer in November 2021.
Vicki Gunvalson Profession
Vicki Gunvalson is an American reality TV star and businesswoman. She is best known as an original cast member of The Real Housewives of Orange County (RHOC), appearing in 16 of the 18 seasons since the show began in 2006. Although she left the show in 2020, she has returned as a guest in later seasons. Vicki also starred in The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip and will appear in its fifth season in 2024. Besides her TV career, Vicki is the founder and CEO of Coto Insurance and hosted a podcast called Whoop It Up with Vicki.
Vicki Gunvalson Early Life
Vicki Gunvalson was born in Chicago, Illinois, to William and Joanne Steinmetz. She has five siblings: Kathy, Kim, Lisa, and Billy. Vicki attended William Fremd High School and then Harper College. Her father passed away in 1991 from Alzheimer's disease, and her mother died in 2015 from unknown causes. Vicki learned about her mother's death while filming an episode of The Real Housewives of Orange County, and the emotional aftermath was shown on the show.
Vicki Gunvalson Husbands
Vicki Gunvalson married her first husband, Michael J. Wolfsmith, at age 21. They had two children, Michael and Briana, but divorced when Vicki was 29.
She then worked at her father's construction company before joining the health insurance business after his death in 1991. In 1994, Vicki married Donn Gunvalson and founded Coto Insurance. They divorced in 2014.
During the tenth season of The Real Housewives of Orange County in 2015, Vicki dated Brooks Ayers, who was later revealed to have faked having cancer.
Vicki was engaged to Steve Lodge from April 2019 until their split in September 2021.
Vicki Gunvalson Children
Vicki Gunvalson has two adult children. Her daughter is Briana Culberson, and her son is Michael Wolfsmith. Vicki is very close to Briana and her son-in-law, Ryan Culberson. This couple have four kids. Michael has been using dating apps like Hinge to find a partner and has even included photos with his mother in his profile.
Vicki Gunvalson Net Worth
Vicki Gunvalson's Net Worth is $7 million. Her sources of income include her role as the CEO of Coto Insurance and her appearances on reality TV shows, such as The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip. She also earns from personal appearances and Cameo videos.