Selena Gomez — singer, actress, producer and advocate — has made headlines not only for her talent and success, but for her openness about health challenges. One of the major ones has been her battle with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, commonly known as lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that has impacted both her physical and mental health. This timeline explores her health journey, what it has meant for her career and advocacy, and the broader lessons about living with lupus.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, causing inflammation and damage to the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, and blood vessels. It affects millions worldwide, disproportionately impacting women between the ages of 15 and 45.
In Selena’s case, the disease significantly affected her kidneys — a serious complication known as lupus nephritis. Understanding this context helps appreciate the challenges she has faced and the strength she has shown throughout her health journey.
Selena’s lupus journey began privately. Around 2012 or early 2013, she started experiencing severe fatigue, facial swelling, joint pain, and other symptoms that led doctors to diagnose her with lupus. At the time, she continued to tour, record music, and film, while managing treatments and uncertainty about her condition.
In 2013, during her “Stars Dance” era, Selena began chemotherapy-based treatment to suppress her overactive immune system. The physical toll of both lupus and treatment forced her to cancel parts of her tour. Many fans speculated about her health, but Selena chose to keep her diagnosis private, taking time to rest and recover.
In October 2015, Selena publicly revealed that she had lupus. She explained that she had been through chemotherapy and wanted to stop false rumors about her health. This marked the first time she spoke openly about the disease, sharing her experience with the world and becoming a symbol of strength for many battling chronic illnesses.
By 2016, lupus began affecting not only Selena’s body but also her mind. During her “Revival” world tour, she cancelled the remaining dates, citing anxiety, panic attacks, and depression — issues linked to both the pressures of fame and the emotional weight of living with a chronic illness.
Selena later shared that she needed time to focus on her mental well-being, acknowledging that lupus had taken a toll on her self-esteem and mental health. This decision reflected a growing awareness of the importance of caring for both physical and mental health simultaneously.
In 2017, Selena revealed that her lupus had caused kidney failure, and she required a kidney transplant to survive. Her close friend and actress Francia Raisa donated her kidney in what Selena described as “the ultimate gift and sacrifice.”
The surgery was life-saving but not without complications. Selena later disclosed that one of her arteries had burst during recovery, requiring emergency surgery. Despite the challenges, she expressed deep gratitude to her donor and the medical team who made her recovery possible.
After her transplant, Selena continued to manage lupus and its aftereffects. She spoke openly about her fluctuating energy levels, the medications she needed to prevent organ rejection, and the ongoing emotional challenges of recovery.
During this period, she also focused on her mental health. In 2020, Selena shared that she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Understanding her diagnosis, she said, helped her manage both her emotional and physical health more effectively.
Her journey through both lupus and mental health struggles became central to her advocacy, emphasizing that healing involves the whole person — not just the body.
Selena released her documentary Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me, which chronicled six years of her life, including her lupus flare-ups, mental health battles, and the constant challenge of being vulnerable in the public eye. The documentary gave fans and viewers a raw look at what it’s like to live with an invisible illness while maintaining a global career.
In recent years, Selena has used her platform to raise awareness about lupus and other autoimmune diseases. Through interviews, public appearances, and her social media influence, she has helped educate millions about lupus symptoms, treatment, and mental health impacts.
Selena has also become an advocate for self-care, encouraging others to seek medical advice early, prioritize rest, and not feel ashamed of chronic illness. Her continued career success in music, television, and business demonstrates her resilience and commitment to thriving despite ongoing health challenges.
Lupus often goes unseen — its symptoms can be invisible to others while causing immense internal pain and fatigue. Selena’s experience highlighted how easily society can overlook chronic illness simply because it isn’t visible.
Selena’s openness about her struggles with anxiety and depression brought attention to the strong connection between chronic illness and mental health. She reminded the world that it’s okay to seek therapy, take breaks, and talk about emotional well-being without shame.
Selena’s kidney transplant underscored the importance of recognizing and treating lupus early. Lupus can cause severe organ damage if untreated, and Selena’s experience emphasized the life-saving importance of medical care, monitoring, and medication adherence.
Selena turned her health challenges into a platform for awareness. Her transparency has led to spikes in lupus research interest, donations, and discussions about autoimmune diseases. By speaking up, she made others with similar struggles feel seen and supported.
Selena’s journey shows that while lupus is lifelong, it does not define her. She continues to release music, act, and lead projects while balancing her health. Her message is one of hope — that even with setbacks, a fulfilling and meaningful life is possible.
For anyone living with lupus or supporting someone who does, Selena’s story offers powerful lessons:
Selena Gomez’s lupus journey is a story of courage, perseverance, and transformation. From the early signs of the disease and a life-saving kidney transplant to her mental health advocacy and creative rebirth, she has turned adversity into inspiration.
Her story is a reminder that chronic illness does not have to define a person’s life. Through honesty, advocacy, and resilience, Selena has shown that it’s possible to live authentically and fully — even with the challenges of lupus.