Actress Bridgette Wilson-Sampras has ovarian cancer and has been battling the disease for nearly a year, her husband and tennis legend Pete Sampras announced.
Pete announced the news in a tweet shared Sunday by the ATP Tour, the world’s top tennis league. He acknowledged he’s “a pretty quiet and private person,” but said given Bridgette’s health challenges he “decided to share what’s going on.”
“Last December, my wife, Bridgette, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Since then, she has had major surgery, pushed through chemotherapy and continues with targeted maintenance therapy,” Sampras said in his statement shared by ATP Tour. “It is hard to watch someone you love go through a challenge like this. However, seeing our boys step up and be such strong supporters of Bridgette, myself and each other has been amazing. Watching Bridgette continue to be an incredible mom and wife through it all, has been inspiring.
“I have also learned that it is very hard to reach for support when something is simply too hard to talk about. With that said, I will end this by humbly asking for good thoughts and prayers for our family as Bridgette continues to thrive on her healing journey. Thank you,” he added.
Bridgette, 50, starred in a number of films from 1993 to 2008, including Billy Madison, Mortal Kombat, The Wedding Planner, I Know What You Did Last Summer, House on a Haunted Hill, and more.
Pete, 52, and Bridgette married in 2000, two years before he retired with 14 career Grand Slam singles titles, a then-record until it was broken by Roger Federer in 2009. They are parents to two sons, Christian, 20, and Ryan, 18.