Perez Hilton, born Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., was hospitalized for an apparent self-harm incident following a difficult year marked by significant health crises and financial pressures, sources told Page Six.
Last year, Hilton, 48, relocated from Las Vegas to his hometown of Miami in June. The transition to his new surroundings was reportedly challenging, even though it was a familiar place. "Moving to Miami has not been easy," a source told Page Six. "It’s where he was brought up and there’s a lot of history there."
Prior to the incident, Hilton experienced two life-threatening health emergencies. In March, he was hospitalized for three weeks after developing an ulcer and sepsis, which he attributed to taking flu medication on an empty stomach. He described the experience as "the worst and best thing that’s ever happened to me," and pledged to spend more time with his children and mother.
Just one month later, in April, he required emergency surgery for a "massive" blood clot. "His health struggles this year have been extreme. The sepsis honestly almost killed him," a source stated, highlighting the physical and emotional toll of these events. These hospitalizations served as a "massive awakening" for Hilton, reportedly scaring him significantly.
The health scares also led to substantial medical bills, which reportedly "hit him hard." As the primary provider for his three children—Mario, 13, Mia, 11, and Mayte, 8—Hilton described himself as being in "hustle mode" to manage these financial burdens. A friend noted that Hilton is a "devoted dad" whose life revolves around his family.
Multiple calls were received by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office reporting an individual livestreaming acts of self-harm on social media. Authorities responded to Hilton's Miami home, where he was "safely recovered" and transported to a local hospital for medical attention. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Crisis Response Unit and licensed mental health professionals were also on scene to support his family.
Hilton launched his eponymous gossip blog in 2004, gaining notoriety for his provocative headlines. His career has also involved legal disputes and ventures beyond his blog, including co-hosting a podcast, running YouTube channels, and writing books.