Famous People with Type 1 Diabetes

Reading Time: 3 minutes
(Illustration by Sye Watts,
Copyright © Antony Simpson 2014)

I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 19 years ago (in January 2007). I remember feeling really overwhelmed and isolated. Type 1 Diabetes is:

“a serious autoimmune condition that occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks beta cells within the pancreas, which then stop producing insulin. As a result, glucose levels in your blood start to rise, and your body can’t function unless you replace the insulin.”

From: BreakThrough T1D UK, last accessed: 13/06/26.

A type 1 diabetes diagnosis is life changing. Most people grieve for the loss of their health, whilst trying to learn to manage this complex medical condition. At times, managing Type 1 Diabetes can feel like a full-time job.

Despite around 270,000 people in England (NHS England – 2024, last accessed: 13/06/26) being diagnosed and living with Type 1 Diabetes, many people can still feel isolated and alone.

So I decided to create a list of famous people with Type 1 Diabetes. Hopefully it will make someone feel less alone and realise that anyone can be diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. It doesn’t matter a person’s age, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, social class or religion.

Famous People with Type 1 Diabetes

Kurt Andersen
Author, USA.
According to Wikipedia.
Image From & Copyright © Wikipedia, 2013.

James Lance Bass
Singer/Actor, USA.
According to Wikipedia.
Image From & Copyright © Wikipedia, 2014.

Elinor Crawley
Actress, Wales, UK.
According to Wikipedia.
Image From & Copyright © Wikipedia, 2015.

Nick Jonas
Singer, USA.
According to Wikipedia.
Image From & Copyright © Wikipedia, 2019.

Theresa May
Politician & Former Prime Minister, UK.
According to Wikipedia.
Image From & Copyright © Wikipedia, 2024.

Charlotte Regan
Film Director, UK.
According to Wikipedia.
Image From & Copyright © Wikipedia, 2023.

Elizabeth Perkins
Actress, USA.
According to Wikipedia.
Image From & Copyright © TMPD, 2026.

Anne Rice (Deceased)
Author, USA.
According to Wikipedia.
Image From & Copyright © Wikipedia, 2006.

Lila Moss
Model, UK.
According to BreakThrough T1D AU.
Image From & Copyright © KM Agency, 2006.

Ed Gamble
Comedian, UK.
According to BreakThrough T1D AU.
Image From & Copyright © Ed Gamble, 2026.

An even more comprehensive list of famous people diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, mostly populated by people from the USA, can be found on Wikipedia here.

If you enjoyed this post, you might like my: All Diabetes Type 1 Content page.

Blog soon,

Antony

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