Evangeline Lilly, the star of “Ant-Man and the Wasp,” has announced a concerning health update following a traumatic accident in Hawaii. On January 2, 2025, Lilly revealed on Instagram that she has been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury after fainting and falling face-first onto a boulder.
In her post, Lilly shared the results of her medical evaluation, stating, “Verdict’s in… I do have brain damage from my (traumatic brain injury).” She expressed a mix of relief and distress, noting that understanding her cognitive decline is a significant challenge. She stated, “Comforting to know my cognitive decline isn’t just peri-menopause, discomforting to know what an uphill battle it will be to try to reverse the deficiencies.”
Details of the Incident and Ongoing Health Struggles
Lilly recorded a video on January 1, where she discussed the implications of her diagnosis. She explained that brain scans revealed widespread impairment, confessing that “almost every area in my brain is functioning at a decreased capacity.” Despite the daunting diagnosis, Lilly remains committed to understanding her injury and working diligently towards recovery.
Lilly’s health issues are not new. She has experienced unexplained fainting episodes for much of her life. In a May 30, 2023, essay on Substack, she disclosed that these episodes began in her childhood. Initially evaluated for epilepsy, doctors later diagnosed her with hypoglycemia, a condition characterized by abnormally low blood sugar levels. However, Lilly noted that subsequent blood tests failed to support this diagnosis, leading to ongoing uncertainty about her condition.
“My glucose levels never came back as low,” she wrote, adding that the lack of a definitive medical explanation for her episodes has been frustrating. Lilly’s husband, Norman Kali, has observed that she appears lifeless during these fainting spells, further complicating her understanding of her health.
A Path Forward
Following the confirmation of her cognitive decline, Lilly made a conscious decision to slow down her pace of life towards the end of 2025. She stated that this shift allowed her to experience an unexpectedly peaceful holiday season. “I think this was the calmest, most restful Christmas holiday I have had, maybe since I had children,” she reflected.
Despite the challenges she faces, Lilly expressed gratitude for the opportunity to continue living and working. “Feeling extraordinarily grateful and blessed to be able to play one more day, one more year on this beautiful living planet,” she concluded.
Lilly’s journey emphasizes the importance of awareness regarding health issues, particularly those that may not have clear explanations. As she embarks on her recovery, her openness about her struggles may inspire others facing similar challenges.
