Harvey Weinstein, the former Hollywood mogul convicted of multiple sex crimes, is now facing a personal health battle on top of his legal struggles. According to a report from NBC News on Monday night, Weinstein has been diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, a type of bone marrow cancer, while serving his sentence at Rikers Island prison in New York.
Weinstein, 71, has reportedly been receiving treatment for the cancer while incarcerated. Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a condition where the bone marrow produces too many white blood cells, and according to the National Cancer Institute, it typically affects individuals in middle age or later. While specific details about Weinstein’s condition remain private, his representatives have refused to comment on the report, stating that discussing his health publicly is “troubling and unacceptable.”
Weinstein’s health problems are nothing new. Over the past several months, his representatives have disclosed that he has been battling multiple illnesses while behind bars, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and spinal stenosis. In July, Weinstein was again transferred to Bellevue Hospital, this time for treatment related to COVID-19 and pneumonia. In addition to these ailments, his team has mentioned that Weinstein also suffers from fluid buildup in his heart and lungs, requiring frequent medical attention.
In response to the latest reports about Weinstein’s health, his representatives have maintained a stance of privacy. They declined to comment on his leukemia diagnosis, citing concerns about the public discussion of his personal health matters. “Out of respect for Mr. Weinstein’s privacy,” they stated, “it is troubling and unacceptable that such details are being shared.”
