You know her from the screen — the one and only Maria Menounos, a beloved TV host and journalist. Over the years, she’s been more than just a familiar face. She’s shared her personal battles with health issues, inspiring fans around the world. Recently, Maria revealed she’s been diagnosed with stage 2 pancreatic cancer, just after announcing she and her husband, Keven Undergaro, are expecting their first child via surrogate. Let’s dive into her incredible journey, updates on her condition, and how she’s staying strong through it all.
When Did Maria Menounos Receive Her Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis?
Back in January 2023, Maria Menounos faced one of the toughest moments of her life. She was diagnosed with stage 2 pancreatic cancer. Now, before you start worrying, let me tell you something incredible: Maria didn’t let fear take over. Instead, she underwent surgery to remove a 3.9 cm tumor from her pancreas, and she’s now speaking out about her experience to help others.
In an emotional interview with People in May 2023, Maria shared her powerful message: “I need people to know there are places they can go to catch things early. You can’t let fear get in the way. I had that moment where I thought I was a goner — but I’m OK because I caught this early enough.” Her courage and determination are nothing short of inspiring.
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As if this wasn’t enough, Maria also shared the emotional conversations she had with her husband, Keven, during this time. They discussed the future of their soon-to-be-born daughter. “If something happens, here are the people I want her around and what I want you to do,” Maria recalled telling Keven. “You’ll probably have to move back East to be with my dad so that she has him.” These heartfelt words show just how much Maria values her family and her legacy.
Does Maria Menounos Live with Diabetes?
Life throws curveballs, and Maria’s health journey doesn’t stop there. In the summer of 2022, she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Alongside managing her pancreatic cancer, she now takes insulin daily and wears a glucose monitor. It’s a lot, but Maria isn’t alone in this fight — her father, Constantinos Menounos, has been living with type 1 diabetes for 50 years.
Maria has always admired her father’s resilience. In a heartfelt Facebook post from November 2019, she wrote: “My dad is my health inspiration. Type 1 diabetic for 50 years and doctors are astounded by his health and lack of side effects of the disease. Here’s why — he doesn’t believe he’s sick. Never has. He’s super active and eats clean, pure food. His zest for life is infectious.” Her dad’s positive outlook serves as a reminder that we’re stronger than our challenges.
When Did Maria Menounos Deal with a Brain Tumor?
The challenges didn’t start with cancer or diabetes. Back in the summer of 2017, Maria revealed she had a meningioma brain tumor the size of a golf ball. It required a grueling seven-hour surgery, but she faced it head-on. She opened up to People in July 2017, sharing her symptoms: “I’d been getting lightheaded on set and having headaches. My speech had gotten slurred, and I was having difficulty reading the teleprompter.”
Almost a year after her successful surgery, Maria reflected on her health journey and the lessons she learned. “I’ve learned a lot and changed my whole perspective on life,” she told Today in May 2018. “I want to be happy and healthy and put that all first. Whatever comes from there, I’m going to be OK with.” Her words remind us to focus on what truly matters — our well-being and the people we love.
