Hey there, friends! If you're a fan of late-night TV, you probably know Jimmy Kimmel for his sharp wit and playful pranks on Jimmy Kimmel Live! But lately, the comedian has been sharing a more serious side. On May 28, Jimmy took to Instagram to update fans about his 7-year-old son Billy’s recent open-heart surgery. This wasn’t just any routine procedure—it was Billy’s third open-heart surgery, and Jimmy’s message was heartfelt and deeply personal. “This weekend, our boy Billy had his third (hopefully the last) open-heart surgery,” Jimmy wrote alongside a sweet photo of Billy smiling from his hospital bed. “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 added, “Billy, you are the toughest (and funniest) 7-year-old we know.”
Now, let’s back up for a moment because Billy’s journey hasn’t been easy. Back in 2017, shortly after Billy was born, Jimmy revealed that his son had been diagnosed with tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia—a serious congenital heart defect. Since then, it’s been an emotional rollercoaster for Jimmy, his wife Molly McNearney, and their family. For those keeping track, Jimmy and Molly are also parents to their daughter Jane, 9, while Jimmy has two older children, Katie, 32, and Kevin, 30, from his first marriage to Gina Maddy. A source close to the family tells Closer that Billy’s heart condition has been nothing short of a nightmare for Jimmy. “They know life is precious,” the source explains, “and all that matters is that Billy is OK.”
As Jimmy navigates his own emotions, he and Molly are doing everything they can to protect Billy. After all, Billy’s first open-heart surgery happened when he was just three days old, and his second followed in December 2017. Jimmy has been open about shielding his son from unnecessary worries. “My problems and my worries shouldn’t be Billy’s problems or his worries,” Jimmy has said. “He’s going to have enough to worry about growing up with this questionable heart in his body, and I just want him to focus on things like hitting a home run in Little League.” To ensure Billy doesn’t feel scared or overwhelmed, Jimmy and Molly explain his condition to him in a way a child can understand. “They don’t ever want him to feel that way,” the source reveals.
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Billy and Jane represent Jimmy’s second chance at fatherhood, and he couldn’t be more grateful. While he’s close to his adult children—Katie, who’s an artist, and Kevin, who works in the entertainment industry—life was different when they were younger. Back then, Jimmy was still trying to make it big in the world of show business, which meant he wasn’t always around or able to provide for them in the same way he can now. “I didn’t make any money when I was in radio,” Jimmy has admitted, “and I got fired a lot. It wasn’t easy.” Those struggles have clearly shaped his perspective on family and fatherhood today.
Jimmy Kimmel Champions Affordable Healthcare
Perhaps it’s these experiences that have driven Jimmy to become such a passionate advocate for affordable healthcare. During a 2017 episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Jimmy tearfully addressed the issue, saying, “No parent should ever have to decide if they can save their child’s life.” He knows firsthand that not everyone has access to the quality medical care Billy has received. Over the years, Jimmy has personally thanked the doctors and nurses who’ve helped Billy by name on his show and social media, encouraging his followers to support children’s hospitals. A source close to the family says Jimmy plans to keep using his platform for good. “Jimmy and Molly feel so blessed to have such wonderful doctors and nurses assisting them,” the source explains. “He’s seen firsthand how crucial quality healthcare is.”
