Maria Menounos Faced Health Scare From Diabetes

The 46-year-old television personality reported a medical emergency caused by complications with Type 1 diabetes.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Diabetes

Flat opaque gouache-painted editorial illustration of a medical glucose sensor on a wooden bedside table, representing health technology management. — Television personality Maria Menounos recently experienced a medical emergency related to her ongoing management of Type 1 diabetes. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Maria Menounos, who manages Type 1 diabetes, experienced a medical emergency during her sleep. The 46-year-old previously underwent extensive surgeries for pancreatic and brain tumors.

Why it matters

Managing blood sugar levels during sleep is a constant challenge for those with Type 1 diabetes, necessitating reliable medical monitoring technology. This incident highlights the ongoing health journey faced by those managing chronic conditions alongside other medical histories.

Menounos previously underwent a 10-hour surgery to remove a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, 17 lymph nodes, and her spleen in 2023. This followed a separate 7-hour procedure to remove 99.9% of a benign brain tumor.

The players

Maria Menounos

She is a television personality who has publicly documented her ongoing medical challenges, including multiple tumor diagnoses and Type 1 diabetes.

Medtronic

This global medical device company produces continuous glucose monitoring technology used by patients to track blood sugar levels.

The details

Menounos, who relies on insulin therapy and continuous glucose monitors, contacted Medtronic to secure a replacement device following the emergency. She continues to navigate life with the condition while raising her daughter, Athena.

In 2023, Maria Menounos underwent a major surgery to remove a pancreatic tumor and associated tissues.
In September 2026, Menounos reported a recent health scare involving her Type 1 diabetes.

The Big Picture

This incident highlights the challenges in personal glucose management, following a pattern set by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's artificial pancreas research initiative. The report illustrates the critical role of continuous monitoring as a bridge to more advanced automated systems.

Patients relying on continuous glucose monitors should ensure they have backup supplies and a clear protocol for device failures during the night. Regular communication with medical device manufacturers is essential for maintaining consistent, life-saving glycemic control.

The takeaway

Maintaining strict adherence to insulin therapy and monitoring protocols remains the primary defense against nocturnal complications. Those managing chronic conditions should prioritize having redundant alert systems to mitigate risks during sleep.