Jimmy Kimmel’s 7-year-old son undergoes open heart surgery

Jimmy Kimmel’s seven-year-old son has undergone open heart surgery for the third time.

The talk show host first opened up about his son, Billy, being born with a heart defect back in 2017 during an emotional monologue on his show. Have a look at the video below:

He told the audience in attendance that Billy appeared to be a normal healthy baby at first, but three hours after he was born, a nurse noticed a heart murmur and that he was turning purple.

“They did an X-ray and his lungs were fine which meant his heart wasn’t,” Kimmel said in the viral clip on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Credit: Emma McIntyre/Getty

“It’s a terrifying thing – my wife is back in the recovery room, she has no idea what’s going on and I’m standing in the middle of a lot of very worried-looking people, kind of like right now,” he joked to the audience.

The doctors did an echocardiogram and found that the young boy was born with a rare defect called Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) with pulmonary atresia.

“Basically, the pulmonary valve was completely blocked and he has a hole in the wall between the left and right sides of his heart,” Kimmel explained before going on to state that his little boy was then taken for open heart surgery when he was only three days old.

Now years after his first heart surgery, the seven-year-old has undergone three more as per a recent post published to Instagram by Kimmel.

“This weekend, our boy Billy had his third (of three, we hope) open heart surgery. We went into this experience with a lot of optimism and nearly as much fear and came out with a new valve inside a happy, healthy kid,” the host wrote, alongside an adorable photograph of Billy.

Kimmel went on to thank the surgeon who operated on his son, as well as the other medical staff at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, naming them in the caption.

The star also thanked the other parents he met during his time there.

Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety/Getty

“Walking around this hospital, meeting parents at their most vulnerable, children in pain and the miracle workers who do everything in their considerable power to save them is a humbling experience,” he wrote.

“We hope you never need CHLA, but if you do – know that they help families regardless of their ability to pay, thanks largely to the Affordable Care Act (another salute to the late Senator John McCain), generous donations from companies like Disney, which I am proud to work for and especially from generous people like you,” the host continued.

The comedian went on to thank his family, friends, and wife for being so strong during this difficult time.

“Thanks to those loving strangers who took time to pray for and send positive energy to our baby, thanks to our family and friends for rallying around us to an almost-ridiculous extent,” he wrote. “Thank you to my wife Molly for being stronger than is reasonable for any Mom to be.”

Kimmel concluded his message with a sweet shout out to his son, who he referred to as the “toughest” and “strongest” kid he knows.

“And Billy, you are the toughest (and funniest) seven-year-old we know,” Kimmel wrote. “There are so many parents and children who aren’t fortunate enough to go home after five days. Please share your love, hearts and prayers with them and if it moves you, support @ChildrensLA (link in bio) or a great children’s hospital near you (@CMNHospitals). Nothing matters more than taking care of each other.

“With love and gratitude, Jimmy,” he signed off.

Have a look at the post below:

The post received an outpour of love from fans as well as a handful of Kimmel’s friends.

Former talk show host Ellen Degeneres commented: “Sending love to your whole family and a thanks to everyone at CHLA for everything you do,” while Bravo exec, Andy Cohen, also commented, writing: “Love to Billy!!!” with a red heart.

John Stamos also left some kind words, adding: “God bless your little Billy. He’s lucky he has parents like you and also the care of the good folks at CHLA” and Friends actress Jennifer Aniston also left some heart emojis under the post to show her support.

We wish Billy a speedy recovery!