Celebrities with Porphyria

Porphyria is a group of rare genetic disorders that affect the production of heme, a component of hemoglobin that carries oxygen in the blood. When the body cannot make enough heme, it accumulates precursors called porphyrins, which can cause various symptoms depending on the type of porphyria. Some of the common symptoms include abdominal pain, skin sensitivity to sunlight, neurological problems, and mental changes.

Porphyria is often inherited, but it can also be triggered by environmental factors such as drugs, alcohol, hormones, stress, or diet. The severity and frequency of porphyria attacks vary from person to person. Some people may have mild or no symptoms at all, while others may experience life-threatening crises that require hospitalization.

Because porphyria is so rare and diverse, it is often misdiagnosed or overlooked. However, some historical figures and celebrities have been suspected or confirmed to have porphyria. Here are some examples:

• King George III, the British monarch who reigned from 1760 to 1820, is one of the most famous cases of porphyria. He suffered from recurrent episodes of madness that left him unable to rule and led to the loss of the American colonies. His symptoms included abdominal pain, constipation, urine discoloration, vision problems, muscle weakness, and mental disturbances such as paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations. He was treated with various remedies such as bloodletting, blistering, purging, and opium, but none of them helped. His condition worsened over time and he spent the last decade of his life in seclusion and blindness. His porphyria was diagnosed by a psychiatrist in 1966 based on his medical records and family history.


• Sean Albright, an American racecar driver who competed in the NASCAR Busch Series in the late 1990s and early 2000s, has variegate porphyria (VP), a type of porphyria that affects both the skin and the nervous system. He was diagnosed at age 19 after experiencing severe abdominal pain and vomiting during a race. He also had skin blisters and scars from sun exposure. He had to take medication to prevent porphyria attacks and avoid certain triggers such as alcohol, fasting, and stress. He retired from racing in 2003 due to health reasons.


• Michelangelo, the Renaissance artist who created some of the most famous sculptures and paintings in history, such as the David, the Pieta, and the Sistine Chapel ceiling, may have had arthritis and porphyria. A group of medical researchers analyzed portraits of him from different points in his life and found that his left hand was limp and deformed in his later years—a symptom of osteoarthritis. They also found evidence of porphyria in his personal correspondence, where he complained of "gout" and difficulty writing. His condition may have been worsened by his hard work and exposure to lead-based paints.


• Julius Caesar, the Roman general and dictator who conquered Gaul, crossed the Rubicon, and was assassinated by Brutus and Cassius in 44 BC, may have had epilepsy or mini-strokes caused by porphyria. Several ancient historians described him as having seizures or fainting spells during his military campaigns. Some suggested that he had epilepsy, a disorder that was well known to the Romans and considered a sign of divine favor. However, a recent study argued that he may have actually suffered from transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), or mini-strokes, which can cause similar symptoms but are more likely to be associated with porphyria.