Bret Michaels of Poison fame sheds light on his remarkable journey as a celebrated musician and his steadfast battle with type 1 diabetes, offering fans a rare and candid glimpse into his life ahead of a Biography special.
- Jun 17, 2024
AceShowbiz - Bret Michaels is no stranger to challenges, whether on stage or off it. During an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE, Michaels, 61, details a particularly harrowing event: going into insulin shock while performing at Madison Square Garden for the first time. "I completely went into insulin shock onstage," Michaels recalls. "I wasn't feeling great. I was nervous. I wasn't eating for two days before it."
Overwhelmed with excitement to play the iconic New York City venue, he soon found himself unconscious, waking up only in the hospital. This incident spurred Michaels to publicly reveal his diabetes diagnosis, addressing speculations that he was battling drug addiction at the time.
Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the tender age of six, Michaels' early life was punctuated by frequent hospital visits and daily insulin injections. Despite these struggles, he carved out a successful career, but not without further health scares.
In 1994, Michaels endured a severe car accident, hitting a telephone pole in his Ferrari during a race and sustaining multiple injuries. Later, at the 2009 Tony Awards, he was struck in the head by a descending set piece, leading to a 2012 lawsuit against CBS.
Just a year after this incident, while competing on "The Celebrity Apprentice", Michaels faced an emergency appendectomy, a near-fatal brain hemorrhage, and a stroke. His diabetes, known to heighten the risk for such conditions, undoubtedly complicated his recovery.
Today, Michaels remains vigilant about his health, touring energetically on his Parti-Gras 2.0 Tour. "I wake up and the first thing I do is check my constant glucose monitor," he says. "I check my blood sugar, and then I adjust." Maintaining a routine of injections, workouts, and daily activities helps him manage his diabetes while embracing life to the fullest.
Michaels' health, a focal point in the upcoming A&E special, strives to convey the "series of roses and absolute thorns" that define his life. He has always maintained a refusal to be a victim of his circumstances. "Facing those adversities, along with the triumphs, that's the real journey of life for me," he says, urging viewers to find strength in their own challenges.
As the special "Biography: Bret Michaels" premieres on A&E on June 16 at 9 p.m. EST, fans can expect an honest portrayal of a rock star who continues to stand strong and rock on, no matter the odds.
