Kathy Griffin Won’t Quit: ‘Pushing Through’ Health Setbacks

Kathy Griffin is opening up about the grueling health struggles she’s endured over the past several years.

Known for her sharp wit and fearless comedy, the 64-year-old icon has faced a series of intense medical crises since being diagnosed with stage 1 lung cancer in December 2024. Yet, an exclusive source tells In Touch that Griffin remains fiercely determined to keep performing, no matter the physical toll.

Kathy Griffin Faces Health Challenges Head-On

In April, Griffin shared with fans on Instagram that she had undergone a hysterectomy for a precancerous condition. “Happy Monday!” she wrote. “I had a hysterectomy on Friday, that’s right they took out the uterus, the fallopian tubes & the ovaries. Pre-cancerous, blah blah blah.”

But behind the humor, a source close to Griffin says she’s been struggling. “The last six years have been absolutely brutal,” the insider shared. “It’s been one health thing after another.”

Battle With Lung Cancer

Griffin was diagnosed with stage 1 lung cancer in December 2021, a fight that required major surgery and extensive treatment.

Appearing on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” that same month, she told the host, “In August, I had half of my left lung removed … I’m not even kidding.” She revealed the surgery also damaged her vocal cords due to an intubation tube, requiring yet another operation in May 2023.

In an interview with People, Griffin explained, “They use a hook to open your mouth because there’s a freaking needle down my throat!”

Despite the voice complications, Griffin has remained candid about the emotional toll. “The thing that’s been really crazy and kind of like, a mindf–k, is that when I had cancer, I had no symptoms, then I got the surgery where they took out half my left lung. And now it’s like, I sound and feel like I have cancer,” she said. “The thing that’s frustrating is I actually sound like I’m in pain, but I’m not.”

Determined to Return to the Stage

Despite the struggles, friends and colleagues are in awe of Griffin’s persistence, per In Touch. “People are amazed by her resilience,” shared the insider. “She’s battled cancer and beat it, but the fact that she’s managed to bounce back time and again is just astounding.”

The insider added, “She just had an emergency hysterectomy because they found cancerous cells and suddenly had to take it all out. And just before that she had vocal surgery. Her voice was damaged when she had surgery for lung cancer, so she’s just had vocal surgery to help get some return of her voice but she doesn’t have the volume or strength she used to.”

Still, nothing will keep Griffin away from her passion. “Even after all this she’s still going ahead with her first stand-up show next month,” the source said. “So this is a massive step forward and not something she wants to give up on.”

“But it’s not easy,” they emphasized. “She’s pushing through huge obstacles, but that’s Kathy, she’s a fighter.”

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