In a raw and emotional update, Christina Applegate, the 53-year-old actress known for her roles in "Dead to Me" and "Married... With Children," revealed a recent hospitalization due to a severe kidney infection while battling multiple sclerosis (MS).
According to the Daily Mail, Applegate shared on her MeSsy podcast that she was admitted to a Los Angeles hospital after returning from a European trip, experiencing intense pain that led to an emergency diagnosis and treatment for a kidney infection.
Applegate, who has been in the entertainment industry since she was a baby with an appearance on "Days of Our Lives" in the early 1970s, has had a storied career. She became a household name playing Kelly Bundy on "Married... With Children" from 1987 to 1997. Her more recent work includes starring as Jen Harding in "Dead to Me" from 2019 to 2022, earning her Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
Applegate's latest health scare began during a family visit to Europe, where she initially felt fine for brief periods. However, she soon found herself needing to lie down due to severe stomach discomfort. She described the ordeal on her podcast, saying, "for a couple hours, and then I'd be having to go lay down because my stomach was really bad."
After enduring an 11-hour flight back to California, Applegate's condition worsened, and she sought immediate medical attention. Refusing to leave without clarity, she insisted on answers from the medical staff. "Think outside the box," she urged doctors, expressing frustration over past experiences of being sent home without resolution.
Admitted to a hospital in Los Angeles, Applegate experienced intense pain on her right side and back. She initially suspected the pain might be related to her appendix, but the reality was far different. "From my back to my front is in so much pain," she shared, noting that an emergency CT scan was ordered at 2 a.m. The scan revealed an infection in both kidneys, a diagnosis that required immediate intervention. Applegate is now receiving intravenous antibiotics to combat the infection. Doctors have hinted that there could be additional underlying issues, though specifics remain unclear.
Applegate's health struggles are compounded by her ongoing battle with multiple sclerosis, a condition she was diagnosed with in 2021. MS is an autoimmune disease that damages the protective covering of nerves, causing symptoms like numbness, weakness, and difficulty walking, according to the Mayo Clinic. For Applegate, bad days with MS feel like "walking on needles and hot lava," making even basic tasks like getting out of bed a challenge.
Early symptoms of her MS included numbness and loss of balance, significantly impacting her daily life. She has openly shared how the disease has shifted her priorities, saying, "with MS, all the things I thought were important shifted." Now, she rarely leaves her home due to the severity of her condition.
Applegate has been candid about the emotional weight of living with MS, describing it as "the worst thing I've ever gone through." She faces stigma from others who question if she somehow caused her illness, a notion she finds deeply hurtful. "The first thing that I hear from people is how did you get it?" she said, reflecting on the assumption that she must have done something wrong.
She continued, expressing frustration over such blame, stating, "That stigma, I'm used to it now but it was so hard to swallow for a while." Living with chronic illness has reshaped her perspective, forcing her to find meaning in her challenges. "For a long time, it felt impossible to find the meaning in everything I've been through," she admitted.
Despite her health battles, Applegate remains determined to share her story with the world. In July, she announced a forthcoming memoir titled "You With The Sad Eyes," set for release in March 2026 through Little, Brown and Company. The book will delve into her health struggles, a tumultuous childhood in Laurel Canyon, and past experiences of abuse and insecurity.
Writing the memoir is a daunting task for Applegate, who called it "scary to tell it all." Yet, she hopes her words will resonate with readers, stating, "no matter how dark it gets, I wrote this because I truly believe that books can make people feel less alone." She promises an authentic narrative, saying the memoir "won't be some big violin scratching for my life."
Applegate's resilience shines through her decades-long career in television and film. From her comedic roles in the "Anchorman" franchise to her dramatic performance in "Dead to Me," she has continually captivated audiences. Even as she faces immense personal challenges, her dedication to storytelling persists through her upcoming memoir and podcast.
Her latest hospitalization, recorded for her MeSsy podcast directly from her hospital bed, underscores her commitment to transparency. "Because I felt like doing one from the hospital was an awesome idea," she said with a hint of humor amidst her pain. As Applegate navigates this latest health crisis, her strength and openness continue to inspire those following her journey.