Jimmy Kimmel spends late nights cracking jokes on his talk show. But the rest of the time, he’s a family man. He has four children. His youngest son, Billy, has battled an illness for years. The talk show host took to social media to ask for donations amid the ongoing crisis. Keep reading for the latest on his son’s health.
Jimmy Kimmel’s Son Has Battled Illness Since Birth
Jimmy Kimmel has four children. He has two adult children with his ex-wife, Gina Maddy. They split in 2002 after 13 years of marriage. He married Molly McNearney, a writer on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, in 2013. Their daughter, Jane, was born a year later. The couple welcomed a son, Billy, in 2017.
The newborn underwent emergency heart surgery just days after being born. Jimmy Kimmel’s son has a serious congenital heart defect that affects normal blood flow through the heart. The first surgery was a success, but it didn’t completely correct the issue. Billy Kimmel had his second heart surgery at just 7 months old. If left untreated, the heart defect can be fatal.
The talk show host’s son had a third open-heart surgery in 2024 to replace a valve. The surgery was planned, but still stressful for the family. There was speculation at the time about Jimmy Kimmel’s future on ABC.
Talk Show Host Shares Update On Son, Asks For Donations
Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show was yanked off the air in 2025 after backlash for a joke he made about Charlie Kirk’s murder. The suspension was brief, but his days as a talk show host might be numbered. But if the show does get canceled, Jimmy Kimmel has social media to keep fans updated on his family and his son’s health.
“Our boy Billy turns 9 today and is doing great, thanks to the doctors, nurses, therapists, and many more at @ChildrensLA & @CedarsSinai,” he wrote. The caption continued to praise the medical staff that saves kids “all over the world.”
As he has every year on his son’s birthday, Jimmy Kimmel asked fans to donate to the cause. “Please make a donation of $9 to support critical health care for kids,” he wrote. Last year, he asked for a donation of $8 and the year before, $7.
His followers took to the comments to wish his son a happy birthday. Additionally, several mentioned how moved they were by Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue some years ago about his son’s health issues.
- “I will never forget, when you told that story about Billy in your show.”
- “I vividly remember your monologue, and what it did to me. I’m beyond happy you have these moments to look forward to.”
- “Warms my heart to see him doing so well!”
- “Happy Birthday to your sweet boy! So thankful for all those that had a hand in helping him. Will never forget your monologue!!”
- “All hail to the staff that helped your heart to grow and thrive and for you being the hero that you are!”
Jimmy Kimmel’s son is healthy and thriving after three open-heart surgeries before he even turned 10. Watch Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show and social media for more updates on his beautiful family.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger