Jimmy Kimmel’s 7-year-old son, Billy, undergoes third and final open heart surgery
NEW YORK — Jimmy Kimmel’s youngest child, 7-year-old Billy, underwent his third open heart surgery over Memorial Day weekend.
The Brooklyn-born late night host, 56, announced on Instagram Monday that the surgery at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles was a success.
Billy was born with a congenital heart defect.
“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,” said the two-time Emmy winner.
Kimmel thanked his wife of nearly 11 years, Molly McNearney “for being stronger than is reasonable for any Mom to be and Billy, you are the toughest (and funniest) 7 year-old we know.
“There are so many parents and children who aren’t fortunate enough to go home after five days,” he said. “Please share your love, hearts and prayers with them and if it moves you, support @ChildrensLA … or a great children’s hospital near you (@CMNHospitals). Nothing matters more than taking care of each other.”
Kimmel has been candid about Billy’s “terrifying” medical issues since his spring 2017 birth. He underwent his first open heart surgery — also at CHLA — when he was just 3 days old.
Kimmel has since pointed to his family’s experience to praise and advocate for the Affordable Care Act.
While speaking to The Hollywood Reporter later that year, he also noted that Billy would have to undergo two more open heart surgeries.
“We would like to get them over with and not have to think about it all the time, but it could definitely be worse,” Kimmel told the outlet in August 2017.
