Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced film producer, has been diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, according to reports. NBC News shared on Monday, October 21, 2024, that insiders have confirmed Weinstein is undergoing treatment for this condition while incarcerated.
The Mayo Clinic defines chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), also referred to as chronic myelogenous leukemia and chronic granulocytic leukemia, as a rare cancer that affects the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft tissue found within bones responsible for producing blood cells.
This particular type of leukemia typically develops slowly and is most commonly observed in older adults, particularly men. It often presents no symptoms, but when they do manifest, they may include bone pain, fatigue, fever, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, discomfort or swelling beneath the left ribs, and night sweats.
To provide context, Harvey Weinstein’s alleged sexual misconduct in 2020 helped catalyze the #MeToo movement. He was subsequently convicted of third-degree rape against one woman and first-degree criminal sexual act against another, receiving a 23-year prison sentence. However, earlier this year, New York’s Court of Appeals overturned that ruling.
Emergency Heart Surgery for Harvey Weinstein Last Month
Juda Engelmayer, Weinstein’s spokesperson, issued a statement to Variety expressing concern about the rumors surrounding his health:
“Craig Rothfeld, Mr. Weinstein’s authorized legal healthcare representative in New York State, is deeply troubled by the speculation regarding Mr. Weinstein’s health status. It is inappropriate and distressing to see such private medical issues become fodder for public discussion. We will refrain from making any additional comments to respect Mr. Weinstein’s privacy.”
The producer has been in the news for various health concerns. Recently, Weinstein underwent emergency heart surgery due to health complications, including unexpected weight gain attributed to his medication. Craig Rothfeld reported that Weinstein had a pericardiocentesis procedure to drain excess fluid from his heart and lungs.
In July, Rothfeld revealed that Weinstein was transferred to the Bellevue Hospital Prison Ward to address several health issues, including a positive Covid-19 test and a diagnosis of double pneumonia.
At that time, Rothfeld informed NBC News that Weinstein was dealing with ongoing medical challenges such as diabetes, hypertension, spinal stenosis, fluid accumulation around his heart and lungs, among other ailments.
These health struggles come in the wake of New York’s appellate court overturning Weinstein’s 23-year sentence, citing incorrect trial procedures that allowed additional testimonies regarding unproven allegations.
The Court of Appeals has called for a retrial, expected to commence in November, although recent updates indicate it may be postponed until 2025, with no specific dates confirmed yet.
Despite the appellate court’s decision, Weinstein remains incarcerated for a separate rape conviction in Los Angeles, where he was found guilty in December 2022 and given a 16-year sentence in February 2023. His legal team continues to seek to overturn this verdict, emphasizing his claims of innocence.
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