Rebel Wilson's fight with malaria led to a vision that changed her destiny. Discover how this life-threatening experience shaped her career and personal life.
- Jun 22, 2024
AceShowbiz - Rebel Wilson, the acclaimed Australian actress, has never shied away from sharing her fears, struggles, and triumphant moments. Her aversion to insects, particularly mosquitos, has a deeply personal origin. "I have always had bugs-xiety … [since] growing up in Australia, where we have a lot of bugs," Wilson, 44, shared in an intimate interview with Us Weekly.
However, her fear was justified when, at the age of 18, she contracted malaria during a gap year in Mozambique. "I woke up one morning in an African bush and I had like 100 mosquito bites on my face," Wilson recounted. The ensuing illness saw her hospitalized for two weeks, grappling with severe symptoms that could have ended her life.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explain that malaria, caused by a parasite transmitted through mosquito bites, can be deadly if not promptly treated. Early symptoms resemble the flu, but can escalate to severe complications like kidney failure and coma.
This close brush with death engendered a transformative experience for Wilson. Speaking to Jimmy Fallon on "The Tonight Show", she revealed a vivid hallucination she had while under anti-malaria medication.
"I'm in the hospital hallucinating... and I lost my hearing because of the drugs that they gave me, and I'm hallucinating that I'm an actress and that I was really great and I won an Academy Award," she said. This vision convinced her of a future in acting, despite skepticism from those around her. "Everyone was like 'no, we think Malaria has dented your brain...' [Acting] is not going to happen," she said.
Undeterred, Wilson pursued her dream, balancing a law degree with acting classes upon her return to Australia. Her persistence paid off, leading to a successful acting career, and validation from the one friend who always believed in her. "It takes one person to believe in you," Fallon reflected.
Beyond acting, Wilson's journey includes significant personal milestones. Her strong desire to become a mother spurred her on a health journey, resulting in an 80-pound weight loss. "I did have to go through this whole health journey in order to get my daughter, Royce," she shared. Wilson and her fiancee, Ramona Agruma, welcomed their daughter via surrogate in November 2022, a testament to the resilience and determination she exhibited throughout her life.
Wilson's story is one of transformation and empowerment, showcasing how a near-death experience and unwavering determination can lead to personal and professional fulfillment.
