Former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Brandi Glanville has expressed deep embarrassment over a GoFundMe campaign initiated to help with her mounting medical expenses. Glanville, 53, tearfully discussed on her podcast, "Brandi Glanville Unfiltered," on Friday that she is unable to cover her $7,000 weekly medical bills due to prolonged health issues that have left her unable to work for two years.
Her friend, Gina Rodriguez, launched the GoFundMe on Tuesday. Several castmates from "Real Housewives" have contributed, including Kyle Richards, who donated $500, and Claudia Jordan, who gave $100. Glanville's podcast co-host, James Maas, also contributed $100.
"I’m embarrassed, honestly, ‘cause I don’t like to ask for help,” Glanville stated. “And I never thought I would do this and she’s, like, ‘You have no choice.'" She added that without continuous payment for her medication, she cannot make progress and is financially depleted. Maas attempted to comfort her, suggesting the embarrassment should be directed at the medical system rather than her need for assistance.
Glanville's health struggles began in July 2023, following an incident while filming "The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip." She first disclosed facial changes and swelling, later attributing them to stress and Bravo in July 2024. Glanville described dealing with a suspected parasite in her face that caused pain and disfigurement.
In February of this year, Glanville underwent surgery to remove ruptured breast implants that she said had leaked silicone into her lymph nodes. New, smaller implants were placed during the same procedure.
More recently, in an Instagram video posted Tuesday, Glanville revealed the suspected facial parasite had spread down her arm. She pointed out a hard mass in her face, describing it as a large fungal ball. "I just want to cut it out of my face," she said.
In the video's caption, Glanville detailed her diagnoses: highly resistant ESBL Klebsiella and Enterobacter with biofilm, Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever), Demodex dermatitis, and Mononucleosis. The Centers for Disease Control notes ESBL Klebsiella as antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The Mayo Clinic defines Valley Fever as a fungal infection, and the Cleveland Clinic describes Demodex as mites that inhabit hair follicles. Glanville stated she is unable to work, other than her podcast, and is uncertain how she will manage mentally or financially. "I just want this s*** OUT of my body. I want my health back. I want my life back. I want to feel like me again," she expressed.
