Celebrities With Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a disorder marked by painful tender points, which can cause fatigue, depression, sleep disruption, and memory or mood changes that can greatly affect daily activities. There is no known cause of fibromyalgia, which is why it can affect anyone: from your average Joe or Jane to the richest and most famous people in the world.

Click "next" to learn about the famous faces and celebrities who have also had their share of battling fibromyalgia on a daily basis.

Susan Flannery

This four-time Emmy-winning actress played the ruthless and family-driven Stephanie Forrester on the daytime soap The Bold and the Beautiful since 1987. Her constant battle with the fibromyalgia disorder caused her medical leave in 2007 from the show, but Susan has since then returned to her role as the monarchy of the Forrester family. She still struggles with her fibromyalgia, but she reportedly takes her condition day by day.

Sinead O'Conner

This Grammy-winning Irish sing-songwriter never shied away from controversy throughout her career. Despite being named one of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People in the World" in 1991 and other career benchmarks, she announced her retirement from music in 2003 due to the severe pain and fatigue caused by her fibromyalgia, and so she could raise her children in peace. She has since returned to music and strives to get the most enjoyment out of life.

Michael James Hastings

Many know him as Captain Mike from the TV series “The West Wing,” but he’s also worked as a church counselor for three years and as a public school teacher for 10 years. Forced into retirement due to his fibromyalgia, Michael became a national spokesman for the disorder, and promotes the Enzymatic Therapy line of vitamin supplements, which claim to help reduce certain symptoms of fibromyalgia. Michael is not letting the disorder slow him down as he works on a PhD in Educational Technology.

Florence Nightingale

Florence Nightingale was a pioneer in health during the Victorian period. She also wrote about health conditions and dietary information based on notes about patients she’d treated during her time in the Ottoman Empire. Her first book, published in 1989, was called Notes on Nursing. Her fibromyalgia came through an infection trigger, and she was finally bedridden in 1896. After years of struggling with this disorder, she died in her sleep at the age of 90.

Rosie Hamlin

Lead singer of the 60s band Rosie and the Originals, Rosie became one of the greatest singers of her era, including being one of John Lennon’s favorite singers. Rosie’s had her battles with record labels and other life trials, but nothing could have prepared her for her battle with fibromyalgia. Rosie was on the cover of Fibromyalgia Aware Magazine in 2004, addressing the struggles of fibromyalgia and how she fights to overcome it. Although her love of singing will never die, she’s given up touring and headed down another career path as a painter.

Frances Winfield Bremer

Wife of Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III, Frances struggled with fibromyalgia for over 28 years and she’s now the official spokesperson for the disorder. She’s also been featured on the cover of Fibromyalgia Aware Magazine for promoting awareness of the disorder and passing on motivation to those that also suffer. She and her husband have made numerous joint appearances to speak about the disorder and raise money for various fibromyalgia organizations, while letting people know that the disorder is as serious as any other.

Treating Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia treatments include pain relievers, sleep aids, antidepressants, and muscle relaxants, as well as lifestyle changes such as exercise, a healthy diet, regular sleep patterns, and stress reduction. Learn more about these and other treatments at Healthline’s Fibromyalgia Learning Center.

Curious that your symptoms could be fibromyalgia? Explore our slideshow detailing the symptoms of fibromyalgia.