Bristol Palin, the former reality TV star and daughter of former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, has shared an update on her ongoing battle with sudden facial paralysis, which she described as striking her ‘completely out of the blue’ with no warning signs. The incident, which occurred on January 20, 2025, left her left side of the face paralyzed, with no prior symptoms or illnesses detected, according to her Instagram Q&A. She detailed her experience, stating that she awoke to complete paralysis, with no recent vaccinations, Botox treatments, or signs of sickness.
During the Instagram Q&A session, Palin provided a video demonstration showing the difference between her left and right facial sides, emphasizing the stark contrast. She also responded to queries about her emotional state, acknowledging the difficulty of the condition while expressing her resilience. ‘I think I’m handling it well,’ she said, though she admitted to feeling ‘unable to look at pictures of myself.’ She also voiced the possibility of permanent damage but expressed cautious optimism, stating that her condition is ‘slowly improving’ and that her doctor estimates it will take another three months before she is ‘hopefully back to normal.’
The condition, which may have been caused by factors such as stress or lack of sleep, could potentially be related to Bell’s palsy, a neurological disorder that causes sudden muscle weakness on one side of the face. According to the Mayo Clinic, Bell’s palsy typically results in temporary weakness, though the exact cause is often unknown. However, doctors have not yet confirmed the cause of Palin’s condition, with initial tests coming back negative.
Beyond her health struggles, Palin has shared her personal journey, including her one-year sobriety milestone in April 2025. She credited her sober mind for helping her reevaluate her life, stating that she no longer wants to ‘take the edge off’ anything and that she would ’10/10 recommend’ her sobriety journey. Her recent Instagram stories reflect her ongoing efforts to maintain a positive outlook while navigating the challenges of facial paralysis and the emotional toll of public scrutiny.
Palin first announced her condition in January 2025, detailing her experience of waking up with a ‘little weird sensation’ in her face, which quickly progressed to complete paralysis. After seeing a doctor and undergoing multiple tests, she was prescribed steroids and other medications. While no definitive cause was identified, doctors speculated that it could be a case of Bell’s palsy, though this remains under investigation.
Fans have also expressed concern about the potential permanence of her condition, prompting Palin to address the possibility without offering a definitive answer. She reiterated that, while the possibility of long-term effects exists, she remains hopeful about her recovery, emphasizing the slow but steady progress in her healing process.