The beloved chef has opened up about his health, admitting he fears he might not have long left to live.
In a recent interview, Stein has admitted he has been thinking more about death than ever before.
The culinary legend was out of breath for years before doctors said he needed surgery to save his life. The TV star first discovered a problem with his heart four years ago when he was trekking in the Scottish hills. Stein was forced to stop walking after becoming breathless and soon after, doctors told him his aorta was failing.
A failed aorta typically refers to a severe medical condition. The aorta, the largest artery in the body that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body, is compromised or dysfunctional.
Until June 2022, the chef had been using drugs and medication to alleviate the problem. Medicine helped him for a while, however surgery was in his future. His doctor breaking the news just over a year ago.
The surgery, known as an aortic valve replacement, is a type of open heart surgery used to treat problems with the heart’s aortic valve. It’s a major operation that isn’t suitable for everyone and can take a long time to recover from.
While he admits to going through difficult times in his recovery, Stein is feeling more upbeat. “But to be honest, having had the operation and recovered, the improvement in my health has left me tremendously optimistic. Even though at my age and with the normal realities of life I’m not going to last that much longer, I think as long as you’ve got your health and you’re optimistic generally and enjoying your life, you don’t tend to ponder too much about how little life you’ve got left,” he shared.
