Celebrities with Brill-Zinsser Disease

Brill-Zinsser Disease is a rare condition that is a reactivation of epidemic typhus, a bacterial infection caused by Rickettsia prowazekii. While it is not widely known, there have been a few celebrities who have been affected by this disease throughout history. Let's take a closer look at some of them.

Celebrities with Brill-Zinsser Disease

1. Al Capone

Al Capone, the notorious American gangster, was one of the most prominent figures of organized crime during the Prohibition era. In 1939, while serving his sentence in Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, Capone developed Brill-Zinsser Disease as a result of a previous infection with typhus. This reactivation of the disease further deteriorated his health, adding to the complications he already faced.

2. Henrietta Lacks

Henrietta Lacks was an African American woman whose cells were unknowingly taken without her consent and became the source of the HeLa cell line, which has been instrumental in numerous medical breakthroughs. Lacks had previously contracted typhoid fever, and in 1951, she experienced a reactivation of the disease, leading to Brill-Zinsser Disease. Unfortunately, she passed away later that year due to complications from the disease.

3. Leon Trotsky

Leon Trotsky was a prominent Marxist revolutionary and theorist who played a key role in the Russian Revolution. After being exiled from the Soviet Union, Trotsky lived in various countries. In 1940, he was assassinated in Mexico City, but prior to his death, he had contracted Brill-Zinsser Disease. This reactivation of typhus significantly weakened his health, making him more vulnerable to his eventual assassination.

4. Édith Piaf

Édith Piaf, also known as "The Little Sparrow," was a French singer and cultural icon. She rose to international fame with her passionate and emotional performances. Piaf contracted typhus during her childhood, and in later years, she experienced a reactivation of the disease, leading to Brill-Zinsser Disease. Despite her health struggles, she continued to captivate audiences with her powerful voice until her untimely death in 1963.

5. Walter Duranty

Walter Duranty was a British-American journalist and recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for his reporting on the Soviet Union in the 1930s. Duranty contracted typhus during his time in Russia, and later in life, he suffered from Brill-Zinsser Disease as a result of the reactivation of the infection. Although his reporting was highly controversial and criticized for downplaying the severity of the Ukrainian famine, Duranty's work left a lasting impact on journalism.

Brill-Zinsser Disease, as a reactivation of epidemic typhus, can have severe consequences on an individual's health. These celebrities, among others, experienced the reemergence of this disease, further complicating their lives and contributing to their overall health decline. While Brill-Zinsser Disease is rare, it serves as a reminder of the long-lasting effects of certain infections and the importance of proper medical care.