Jimmy Kimmel’s 7yo son undergoes his third open heart surgery
“Billy, you are the toughest (and funniest) 7 year-old we know.”
Jimmy Kimmel has revealed his 7-year-old son Billy has successfully undergone his third and hopefully final open-heart surgery and is recovering well.
The late-night host expressed his gratitude to all the doctors, nurses, friends, family, and even strangers who had shown their support during this time.
Jimmy and his wife Molly McNearney, 46 welcomed their son Billy, who was born with congenital heart disease, in 2017.
Sharing the news of his son’s surgery to Instagram, the 56yo wrote:
“This weekend, our boy Billy had his third (of three, we hope) open heart surgery. We went into this experience with a lot of optimism and nearly as much fear and came out with a new valve inside a happy, healthy kid,” he wrote, before thanking the staff at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
“Walking around this hospital, meeting parents at their most vulnerable, children in pain and the miracle workers who do everything in their considerable power to save them is a humbling experience. We hope you never need CHLA, but if you do – know that they help families regardless of their ability to pay, thanks largely to the Affordable Care Act (another salute to the late Senator John McCain), generous donations from companies like Disney, which I am proud to work for and especially from generous people like you,” he added.
The talk show host also thanked the “strangers who took time to pray for and send positive energy to our baby” and their friends and family for “rallying around us to an almost ridiculous extent.”
The comedian then thanked his wife for “being stronger than is reasonable for any Mom to be,” and son Billy for being the “toughest (and funniest) 7 year-old” they know.
“There are so many parents and children who aren’t fortunate enough to go home after five days,” he continued. “Please share your love, hearts and prayers with them and if it moves you, support @ChildrensLA (link in bio) or a great children’s hospital near you (@CMNHospitals). Nothing matters more than taking care of each other. With love and gratitude, Jimmy.”
Jimmy’s post was flooded with well-wishes from fans and celebrity friends.
“Sending love to your whole family and a thanks to everyone at CHLA for everything you do,” wrote Ellen DeGeneres
Jenna Dewan commented, “So much love to you Jimmy, Molly and Billy!! ❤️🙌👏😍.”
While Jennifer Aniston added four emojis: ❤️🙌🏽🙏🏼❤️
Billy underwent his first open heart surgery hours after his birth, his second surgery was at 7-months-old. In 2022, the talk show host told People that his son was “doing great,” but would still need one more open-heart surgery.
In April, Jimmy shared a post for Billy’s 7th birthday writing, “Billy turns 7 today and is doing great thanks to the doctors, nurses, therapists and staff at @ChildrensLA & @CedarsSinai.”
The dad-of-four and his wife Molly also share a 9yo daughter, Jane. Jimmy also has a 32yo daughter, Katie and a 30yo son, Kevin from his first marriage to Gina Kimmel.
