Bijou Phillips confirmed on Instagram late Tuesday that she underwent a successful kidney transplant, with her brother Aron Wilson serving as her donor. The "Raising Hope" actor and model posted a carousel of photos from what appeared to be a hospital bed, expressing deep gratitude.
Brother Proves Perfect Match
"I am beyond beyond grateful to everyone who rushed into help me, get checked to donate, you are all hero's! My wonderful brother donated in the kidney exchange!" Phillips wrote. "So close it's like I got the kidney from one of my parents!" She also thanked Dr. Jeffrey Veale and the medical staff at the University of California, Los Angeles, for their care.
Outpouring of Support
By Wednesday afternoon, the post had garnered numerous well-wishes from famous friends. Actor Lauren German commented, "Love you Bij. Best news ever. Thank you to your brilliant surgeon, brother and donor!" Paris Hilton added, "So happy for you. Love you so much sis."
Health Struggles and Urgent Appeal
Phillips had previously revealed in a February Instagram post that she was born with underdeveloped kidneys and had undergone a prior transplant. "Please help me find a living donor so that I can have more time with my daughter, family, and friends," she wrote at the time. "Time is of the essence."
In a February interview with US Weekly, she described her situation as "hanging on by a thread" and "extremely urgent." She said, "I could make it on dialysis for a couple years, or I could get an infection in my line tomorrow and be gone in a few days." She credited her boyfriend, Jamie Mazur, and half-sisters Chynna Phillips and Mackenzie Phillips for their support.
Family Background and Personal Life
Phillips is the daughter of late musician John Phillips, a founding member of the Mamas & the Papas. She shares a 12-year-old daughter, Fianna Francis, with estranged husband Danny Masterson, who is serving a 30-year prison sentence for rape convictions. Phillips first went public with her kidney issues in 2017, revealing she had been on a transplant list for about five years.
Reflecting on her journey, Phillips told US Weekly, "When you live in a body that you can't always trust… it makes the things that are beautiful so much more beautiful. It's kind of like the cheat code. You go through all of these hard things, but God, it makes the sunsets prettier, and it makes taking a breath like a glass of champagne. Everything is better because you have so much gratitude."
