Jimmy Kimmel has been very open about the health struggles his 7-year-old son has been going through since he was born in 2017. The comedian recently revealed that his son had to undergo another major surgery, marking the third time in his young life.
On Monday, Jimmy Kimmel took to Instagram to share a personal story from his life. He posted a picture of his seven-year-old son smiling in a hospital room, and in the caption, he provided an update on the situation.
Kimmel 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,” the relieved dad shared.
In his caption, Kimmel expressed gratitude to Billy’s surgeon and the medical professionals at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where his son was treated. He also reflected on how meeting other parents at the hospital had impacted him personally.
He extended his thanks to his wife, family, and friends for their unwavering support. “Thanks to those loving strangers who took time to pray for and send positive energy to our baby, thanks to our family and friends for rallying around us to an almost-ridiculous extent,” he wrote. “Thank you to my wife Molly for being stronger than is reasonable for any Mom to be.”
Kimmel concluded his message with a heartfelt note to his son. “And Billy, you are the toughest (and funniest) 7 year-old we know,” he wrote. He urged his followers to share their love, hearts, and prayers with other parents and children who are not as fortunate, and to support children’s hospitals. “Nothing matters more than taking care of each other. With love and gratitude, Jimmy.”
Many of Kimmel’s famous friends commented, echoing the love he had expressed. “We love you Billy,” Carson Daly wrote. Andy Cohen added, “Love to Billy.”
In 2017, Kimmel tearfully shared in a monologue that his son had been born with a heart defect. The monologue went viral, and since then, Kimmel has continued to express gratitude for the medical care his son has received.
In April, he celebrated his son’s 7th birthday with a sweet note and updated his followers on Billy’s health. “Billy turns 7 today and is doing great thanks to the doctors, nurses, therapists and staff at @ChildrensLA & @CedarsSinai,” he wrote. He mentioned Billy’s goal to raise $100 for children in the hospital by asking friends to donate $7 in honor of his age.
“This boy is seven years old because of you,” Kimmel wrote, accompanied by a close-up shot of Billy smiling. “Molly and I are overwhelmed by your generous donations to @childrensla and kind messages. Thank you for all the love. We wish you and your families good health and great friends.”
Kimmel also shares a 9-year-old daughter, Jane, with his wife Molly McNearney, and has two children from his previous marriage to Gina Maddy.