Famous Lives

As Addison's disease and adrenal insufficiency are rare endocrine conditions, it can be reassuring to learn about public figures who share these experiences to gain insight and inspiration.

Below are just a handful of the celebrities, sportspeople and politicians who have lived with Addison's and adrenal insufficiency and a little about their journey with the condition, as well as the famous scientists and chemists who advanced treatment into Addison's and adrenal insufficiency. Further detailed interviews and profiles coming soon!

	Dr Thomas Addison, discoverer of Addison's disease. (April 1793 - 29 June 1860) Dr Thomas Addison first identified adrenal failure around 1850, whilst at Guy's Hospital, London. Learn more about the man whose work saved the lives of individuals with Addison's disease and adrenal insufficiency for generations to come.
	Jane Austen, English novelist. (16 December 1775 – 18 July 1817) The majority of biographers rely on Zachary Cope's 1964 retrospective diagnosis and list her cause of death as Addison's disease - however consequently it is now believed that Jane Austen’s fatal illness was tuberculosis. However the extraordinary author was also the right age to have had Addison’s and so without an autopsy, it’s impossible to completely determine what killed Austen.
	Sabino Arana, celebrated hero of Basque culture and language, and the instigator of the Basque nationalist movement. (26 January 1865 – 25 November 1903)
	Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity (Elizabeth Catez). (18 July 1880 - 9 November 1906) To learn more about Elizabeth Catez life, read our Famous Lives Blog
	Andrew Dasburg, American modernist painter and "one of America's leading early exponents of cubism". (4 May 1887 – 13 August 1979)
	Ella Holleufer Hedtoft, a prominent Danish citizen and the wife of the Danish Prime Minister, Hans Hedtoft. (22 March 1906 – 4 December 1954)
	George Summerbee, English professional footballer (22 October 1914 – 19 April 1955)
	President John F. Kennedy, 35th president of the United States (29 May 1917 – 22 November 1963) Learn more about how JFK managed his Addison's in our Famous Lives Blog
	Eunice Kennedy Shriver, American philanthropist and a member of the Kennedy family. (10 July 1921 – 11 August 2009)
	Eugene Shoemaker, American geologist and one of the founders of the field of planetary science. (28 April 1928 – 18 July 1997)
	Helen Reddy, Australian-American singer, songwriter, author, actress, and activist. (25 October 1941 – 29 September 2020) In 2009, we were honoured to have a personal interview with Helen Reddy during one of her visits to London. Read more.
	Geoff Starling, Sydney rugby league player. Born 14 December 1952.
	Kathy Burke, English actor, comedian, writer, producer, and director. Born 13 June 1964.
	Daniel Stewart, English actor. Born 20 October 1967. Dan shared with us his emergency hospital admission experience and gives advice on how to be prepared for emergency situations on our Blog.
	Eric Cole, Professional Golfer. Born 12 June 1988.
	Nathan Gafuik, Canadian Olympic gymnast. Born 12 June 1985. Read Nathan’s interview after the 2012 Olympic Games - September 2012 magazine Nathan kindly kept a diary over five days during the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow - December 2014 magazine Nathan discusses his approach to diet and nutrition - March 2015 magazine
	Martin "Marty" Clarke, a Gaelic and former Australian rules footballer. Born 13 November 1987.
	Anna Power, British equestrian sportswoman. On our Blog, Anna shares her experience with Addison's since her diagnosis in 2011 and how she continues to compete in international showjumping. Read 'Anna's Story: Jumping Around."
	Giulia Bould, BBC Sports Radio Presenter. Giulia is best known to the public as a sports presenter on BBC Radio Merseyside. Diagnosed in 2016, she now lives a full life with Addison’s. So what is her secret? Read more in our Blog: 'Giulia's Story: Broadcasting Far and Wide'

If there any celebrities or pioneers you’d like us to profile, please contact us.

Watch this space - profiles of the famous scientists and chemists who advanced treatment into Addison's and adrenal insufficiency coming soon!

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