Former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler, singer Nick Jonas, and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor are just a few celebrities withtype 1 diabetes. Their stories are tales of triumph, the importance of diabetes management and support, and more.Some talk openly to others with type 1 diabetes about their experiences or serve as role models in other ways. Others raise awareness about treatment and the importance of research.Read on to learn about 10 famous people with type 1 diabetes who have used their fame to improve the lives of people with the condition and otherwise contribute to the cause.
Former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler, singer Nick Jonas, and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor are just a few celebrities withtype 1 diabetes. Their stories are tales of triumph, the importance of diabetes management and support, and more.
Some talk openly to others with type 1 diabetes about their experiences or serve as role models in other ways. Others raise awareness about treatment and the importance of research.
Read on to learn about 10 famous people with type 1 diabetes who have used their fame to improve the lives of people with the condition and otherwise contribute to the cause.
1Jay CutlerJonathan Daniel/Getty Images SportsFormer Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2008.Before, during, and after each game, he carefully monitored hisblood sugar(glucose) levels.He wears aninsulin pumpto help manage his diabetes.Insulin pump therapy, also known as continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), is an important and evolving form of insulin delivery that is mainly used for people with type 1 diabetes.
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Jay CutlerJonathan Daniel/Getty Images SportsFormer Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2008.Before, during, and after each game, he carefully monitored hisblood sugar(glucose) levels.He wears aninsulin pumpto help manage his diabetes.Insulin pump therapy, also known as continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), is an important and evolving form of insulin delivery that is mainly used for people with type 1 diabetes.
Jay Cutler
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images Sports
Former Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2008.
Before, during, and after each game, he carefully monitored hisblood sugar(glucose) levels.
He wears aninsulin pumpto help manage his diabetes.
Insulin pump therapy, also known as continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), is an important and evolving form of insulin delivery that is mainly used for people with type 1 diabetes.
2Bret MichaelsEthan Miller/Getty Image IntertainmentBret Michaels, the lead singer for the band Poison, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 6 years old.He hasn’t let the diagnosis slow him down, though. In his long music career, he’s sold over 25 million records and had 15 Top 40 singles. His creative work has also expanded into film production, writing, directing, and acting.Michaels prefers to use insulin injections instead of an insulin pump and tests his blood eight times a day.In 2010, he won the television seriesThe Celebrity Apprenticeand pledged his $300,000 award to the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
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Bret MichaelsEthan Miller/Getty Image IntertainmentBret Michaels, the lead singer for the band Poison, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 6 years old.He hasn’t let the diagnosis slow him down, though. In his long music career, he’s sold over 25 million records and had 15 Top 40 singles. His creative work has also expanded into film production, writing, directing, and acting.Michaels prefers to use insulin injections instead of an insulin pump and tests his blood eight times a day.In 2010, he won the television seriesThe Celebrity Apprenticeand pledged his $300,000 award to the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
Bret Michaels
Ethan Miller/Getty Image Intertainment
Bret Michaels, the lead singer for the band Poison, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 6 years old.
He hasn’t let the diagnosis slow him down, though. In his long music career, he’s sold over 25 million records and had 15 Top 40 singles. His creative work has also expanded into film production, writing, directing, and acting.
Michaels prefers to use insulin injections instead of an insulin pump and tests his blood eight times a day.
In 2010, he won the television seriesThe Celebrity Apprenticeand pledged his $300,000 award to the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
3Nick JonasStephen Lovekin/Getty ImagesNick Jonas, the lead singer and guitarist for the Jonas Brothers, was 13 years old when he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Hisblood sugar was over 700at the time and required him to be hospitalized to get his blood sugar under control.Diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome occurs when your blood sugar level tops 600 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). If left untreated, it can lead to life-threatening dehydration.It wasn’t until 2007, two years after his diagnosis, that Jonas made a public announcement about having diabetes while playing at a Diabetes Research Institute carnival.Since then, he has become an inspiration for many young people with diabetes.
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Nick JonasStephen Lovekin/Getty ImagesNick Jonas, the lead singer and guitarist for the Jonas Brothers, was 13 years old when he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Hisblood sugar was over 700at the time and required him to be hospitalized to get his blood sugar under control.Diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome occurs when your blood sugar level tops 600 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). If left untreated, it can lead to life-threatening dehydration.It wasn’t until 2007, two years after his diagnosis, that Jonas made a public announcement about having diabetes while playing at a Diabetes Research Institute carnival.Since then, he has become an inspiration for many young people with diabetes.
Nick Jonas
Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images
Nick Jonas, the lead singer and guitarist for the Jonas Brothers, was 13 years old when he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Hisblood sugar was over 700at the time and required him to be hospitalized to get his blood sugar under control.
Diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome occurs when your blood sugar level tops 600 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). If left untreated, it can lead to life-threatening dehydration.
It wasn’t until 2007, two years after his diagnosis, that Jonas made a public announcement about having diabetes while playing at a Diabetes Research Institute carnival.
Since then, he has become an inspiration for many young people with diabetes.
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Anne Rice
Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images
Rice learned to manage her diabetes and continued to have a successful career in publishing until she died from a stroke in 2021.
Rice is most well-known for writing the book “Interview With a Vampire,” which was later made into a movie.
5Mary Tyler MooreAlex Wong/Getty ImagesMary Tyler Moore was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 33 after being hospitalized for a miscarriage.A routine blood test done during her hospitalization recorded a blood sugar of 750, which prompted the start of insulin therapy.Pregnant people with diabetes are at a higher risk for complications, including miscarriage and stillbirth.Moore, who was best known for her years on, “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” appeared in many other television shows and movies and was honored with numerous awards.Moore dedicated several years to promoting diabetes research and served as the International Chairman of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) for several years before her death in 2017.
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Mary Tyler MooreAlex Wong/Getty ImagesMary Tyler Moore was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 33 after being hospitalized for a miscarriage.A routine blood test done during her hospitalization recorded a blood sugar of 750, which prompted the start of insulin therapy.Pregnant people with diabetes are at a higher risk for complications, including miscarriage and stillbirth.Moore, who was best known for her years on, “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” appeared in many other television shows and movies and was honored with numerous awards.Moore dedicated several years to promoting diabetes research and served as the International Chairman of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) for several years before her death in 2017.
Mary Tyler Moore
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Mary Tyler Moore was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 33 after being hospitalized for a miscarriage.
A routine blood test done during her hospitalization recorded a blood sugar of 750, which prompted the start of insulin therapy.
Pregnant people with diabetes are at a higher risk for complications, including miscarriage and stillbirth.
Moore, who was best known for her years on, “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” appeared in many other television shows and movies and was honored with numerous awards.
Moore dedicated several years to promoting diabetes research and served as the International Chairman of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) for several years before her death in 2017.
6Elliott YaminAlberto E. Rodriguez/Getty ImagesElliott Yamin is best known for his third-place finish in the fifth season ofAmerican Idol. Yamin was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in his mid-teens.He admits to being angry and in denial about his diabetes back then, but has accepted the fact that he must manage his blood sugar and currently does so with the use of an insulin pump.He has become a role model for young people with diabetes and believes in the importance of support from friends and family.
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Elliott YaminAlberto E. Rodriguez/Getty ImagesElliott Yamin is best known for his third-place finish in the fifth season ofAmerican Idol. Yamin was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in his mid-teens.He admits to being angry and in denial about his diabetes back then, but has accepted the fact that he must manage his blood sugar and currently does so with the use of an insulin pump.He has become a role model for young people with diabetes and believes in the importance of support from friends and family.
Elliott Yamin
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
Elliott Yamin is best known for his third-place finish in the fifth season ofAmerican Idol. Yamin was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in his mid-teens.
He admits to being angry and in denial about his diabetes back then, but has accepted the fact that he must manage his blood sugar and currently does so with the use of an insulin pump.
He has become a role model for young people with diabetes and believes in the importance of support from friends and family.
7Sonia SotomayorMark Wilson/Getty ImagesSonia Sotomayor is a Justice on the United States Supreme Court and is the first person with type 1 to ever serve on the high court. Sotomayor wasdiagnosedwith type 1 diabetes at age seven when she began insulin therapy.Sotomayor attributes her successful diabetes management to being vigilant with insulin injections and testing her blood sugar level often.Carrying glucose tablets wherever she goes is another key to maintaining her high-powered career.It’s estimated that around 8.5 million Americans with diabetes are undiagnosed.
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Sonia SotomayorMark Wilson/Getty ImagesSonia Sotomayor is a Justice on the United States Supreme Court and is the first person with type 1 to ever serve on the high court. Sotomayor wasdiagnosedwith type 1 diabetes at age seven when she began insulin therapy.Sotomayor attributes her successful diabetes management to being vigilant with insulin injections and testing her blood sugar level often.Carrying glucose tablets wherever she goes is another key to maintaining her high-powered career.It’s estimated that around 8.5 million Americans with diabetes are undiagnosed.
Sonia Sotomayor
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Sonia Sotomayor is a Justice on the United States Supreme Court and is the first person with type 1 to ever serve on the high court. Sotomayor wasdiagnosedwith type 1 diabetes at age seven when she began insulin therapy.
Sotomayor attributes her successful diabetes management to being vigilant with insulin injections and testing her blood sugar level often.
Carrying glucose tablets wherever she goes is another key to maintaining her high-powered career.
It’s estimated that around 8.5 million Americans with diabetes are undiagnosed.
8Gary Hall Jr.Donald Miralle/Getty Images SportOlympian swimmer Gary Hall Jr. is an accomplished competitive swimmer. He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1999. With four Olympic medals already in hand, his doctors told him that his swimming career was over.However, Hall was determined to prove them wrong. He had to learn to increase his stamina without getting fatigued, which required him to get out of the water and check his blood sugar levels every 45 minutes.In 2000, he was recognized as the fastest swimmer in the world, In 2008, Hall retired with 10 Olympic medals, five of them gold.Hall is a member of the JRDF and regularly speaks to young people with diabetes, emphasizing that their goals can be accomplished despite the fact that they live with diabetes.
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Gary Hall Jr.Donald Miralle/Getty Images SportOlympian swimmer Gary Hall Jr. is an accomplished competitive swimmer. He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1999. With four Olympic medals already in hand, his doctors told him that his swimming career was over.However, Hall was determined to prove them wrong. He had to learn to increase his stamina without getting fatigued, which required him to get out of the water and check his blood sugar levels every 45 minutes.In 2000, he was recognized as the fastest swimmer in the world, In 2008, Hall retired with 10 Olympic medals, five of them gold.Hall is a member of the JRDF and regularly speaks to young people with diabetes, emphasizing that their goals can be accomplished despite the fact that they live with diabetes.
Gary Hall Jr.
Donald Miralle/Getty Images Sport
Olympian swimmer Gary Hall Jr. is an accomplished competitive swimmer. He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1999. With four Olympic medals already in hand, his doctors told him that his swimming career was over.
However, Hall was determined to prove them wrong. He had to learn to increase his stamina without getting fatigued, which required him to get out of the water and check his blood sugar levels every 45 minutes.
In 2000, he was recognized as the fastest swimmer in the world, In 2008, Hall retired with 10 Olympic medals, five of them gold.
Hall is a member of the JRDF and regularly speaks to young people with diabetes, emphasizing that their goals can be accomplished despite the fact that they live with diabetes.
9Nicole JohnsonAlex Wong/Getty ImagesNicole Johnson was diagnosed with type 1 in 1993, and her doctors told her to avoid competitive beauty pageants.Instead, she went on to place as third-runner up in Miss Florida USA in 1997, and became Miss Virginia in 1998. She then went on to win the Miss America pageant in 1999.By that time, Johnson had already started to advocate for diabetes awareness. She was the first person with diabetes to win Miss America and the first contestant to show their insulin pump.Today, she serves on various health advisory committees along with working with the ADA and the JDRF.
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Nicole JohnsonAlex Wong/Getty ImagesNicole Johnson was diagnosed with type 1 in 1993, and her doctors told her to avoid competitive beauty pageants.Instead, she went on to place as third-runner up in Miss Florida USA in 1997, and became Miss Virginia in 1998. She then went on to win the Miss America pageant in 1999.By that time, Johnson had already started to advocate for diabetes awareness. She was the first person with diabetes to win Miss America and the first contestant to show their insulin pump.Today, she serves on various health advisory committees along with working with the ADA and the JDRF.
Nicole Johnson
Nicole Johnson was diagnosed with type 1 in 1993, and her doctors told her to avoid competitive beauty pageants.
Instead, she went on to place as third-runner up in Miss Florida USA in 1997, and became Miss Virginia in 1998. She then went on to win the Miss America pageant in 1999.
By that time, Johnson had already started to advocate for diabetes awareness. She was the first person with diabetes to win Miss America and the first contestant to show their insulin pump.
Today, she serves on various health advisory committees along with working with the ADA and the JDRF.
10Este HaimWikiCommonsEste Haim was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 14. She had been experiencing symptoms like weight loss and extreme thirst when she was learning about diabetes in her biology class.Putting two and two together, she said she immediately went to the nurse convinced that she knew what was wrong—and it turned out she was right.Since then, Este has talked a lot about the challenges of trying to manage diabetes while on tour with her sisters in their band HAIM. They also perform at events to raise money for diabetes charities.
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Este HaimWikiCommonsEste Haim was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 14. She had been experiencing symptoms like weight loss and extreme thirst when she was learning about diabetes in her biology class.Putting two and two together, she said she immediately went to the nurse convinced that she knew what was wrong—and it turned out she was right.Since then, Este has talked a lot about the challenges of trying to manage diabetes while on tour with her sisters in their band HAIM. They also perform at events to raise money for diabetes charities.
Este Haim
WikiCommons
Este Haim was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 14. She had been experiencing symptoms like weight loss and extreme thirst when she was learning about diabetes in her biology class.
Putting two and two together, she said she immediately went to the nurse convinced that she knew what was wrong—and it turned out she was right.
Since then, Este has talked a lot about the challenges of trying to manage diabetes while on tour with her sisters in their band HAIM. They also perform at events to raise money for diabetes charities.
SummaryType 1 diabetes affects people from all walks of life—even famous people. Luckily, some well-known people who have type 1 diabetes use their position and privilege to bring awareness to the condition and support efforts to improve the lives of people who have it.
Summary
Type 1 diabetes affects people from all walks of life—even famous people. Luckily, some well-known people who have type 1 diabetes use their position and privilege to bring awareness to the condition and support efforts to improve the lives of people who have it.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Diabetes Digest.Jay Cutler Denver Broncos quarterback dealing with NFL defenses and type 1 diabetes.Aleppo G, Webb KM.Integrated insulin pump and continuous glucose monitoring technology in diabetes care today: A perspective of real-life experience with the Minimed 670G Hybrid Closed-Loop System.Endocr Pract. 2018;24(7):684-692. doi:10.4158/EP-2018-0097Diabetes Health.Getting personal with Bret Michaels.Pasquel FJ, Umpierrez GE.Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state: a historic review of the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment.Diabetes Care. 2014;37(11):3124-31. doi:10.2337/dc14-0984Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Type 1 diabetes and pregnancy.Atkinson MA, Nierras CR.Mary Tyler Moore (1936-2017): diabetes educator and advocate.Diabetes Care. 2017;40(6):732-735. doi:10.2337/dci17-0015Contemporary Pediatrics.US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor recounts her lifelong experiences in managing type 1 diabetes.American Diabetes Association.Statistics about diabetes.International Olympic Committee.Olympic champion Gary Hall Junior lifts the lid on succeeding with type 1 diabetes.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Diabetes Digest.Jay Cutler Denver Broncos quarterback dealing with NFL defenses and type 1 diabetes.Aleppo G, Webb KM.Integrated insulin pump and continuous glucose monitoring technology in diabetes care today: A perspective of real-life experience with the Minimed 670G Hybrid Closed-Loop System.Endocr Pract. 2018;24(7):684-692. doi:10.4158/EP-2018-0097Diabetes Health.Getting personal with Bret Michaels.Pasquel FJ, Umpierrez GE.Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state: a historic review of the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment.Diabetes Care. 2014;37(11):3124-31. doi:10.2337/dc14-0984Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Type 1 diabetes and pregnancy.Atkinson MA, Nierras CR.Mary Tyler Moore (1936-2017): diabetes educator and advocate.Diabetes Care. 2017;40(6):732-735. doi:10.2337/dci17-0015Contemporary Pediatrics.US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor recounts her lifelong experiences in managing type 1 diabetes.American Diabetes Association.Statistics about diabetes.International Olympic Committee.Olympic champion Gary Hall Junior lifts the lid on succeeding with type 1 diabetes.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Diabetes Digest.Jay Cutler Denver Broncos quarterback dealing with NFL defenses and type 1 diabetes.Aleppo G, Webb KM.Integrated insulin pump and continuous glucose monitoring technology in diabetes care today: A perspective of real-life experience with the Minimed 670G Hybrid Closed-Loop System.Endocr Pract. 2018;24(7):684-692. doi:10.4158/EP-2018-0097Diabetes Health.Getting personal with Bret Michaels.Pasquel FJ, Umpierrez GE.Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state: a historic review of the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment.Diabetes Care. 2014;37(11):3124-31. doi:10.2337/dc14-0984Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Type 1 diabetes and pregnancy.Atkinson MA, Nierras CR.Mary Tyler Moore (1936-2017): diabetes educator and advocate.Diabetes Care. 2017;40(6):732-735. doi:10.2337/dci17-0015Contemporary Pediatrics.US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor recounts her lifelong experiences in managing type 1 diabetes.American Diabetes Association.Statistics about diabetes.International Olympic Committee.Olympic champion Gary Hall Junior lifts the lid on succeeding with type 1 diabetes.
Diabetes Digest.Jay Cutler Denver Broncos quarterback dealing with NFL defenses and type 1 diabetes.
Aleppo G, Webb KM.Integrated insulin pump and continuous glucose monitoring technology in diabetes care today: A perspective of real-life experience with the Minimed 670G Hybrid Closed-Loop System.Endocr Pract. 2018;24(7):684-692. doi:10.4158/EP-2018-0097
Diabetes Health.Getting personal with Bret Michaels.
Pasquel FJ, Umpierrez GE.Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state: a historic review of the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment.Diabetes Care. 2014;37(11):3124-31. doi:10.2337/dc14-0984
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Type 1 diabetes and pregnancy.
Atkinson MA, Nierras CR.Mary Tyler Moore (1936-2017): diabetes educator and advocate.Diabetes Care. 2017;40(6):732-735. doi:10.2337/dci17-0015
Contemporary Pediatrics.US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor recounts her lifelong experiences in managing type 1 diabetes.
American Diabetes Association.Statistics about diabetes.
International Olympic Committee.Olympic champion Gary Hall Junior lifts the lid on succeeding with type 1 diabetes.
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