During a recent interview on the “Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown” podcast, actress Sharon Stone, 68, described a harrowing episode from 2001 when she was rushed to the neurological intensive‑care unit after a subarachnoid hemorrhage and stroke. Stone said she awoke on a gurney being wheeled toward exploratory brain surgery that she never authorized.
Allegations of unauthorized consent
Stone claimed her husband at the time, former San Francisco Chronicle editor Phil Bronstein, signed the paperwork for the procedure without informing her. “He had signed me up for exploratory brain surgery without my knowledge or consent,” she said.
According to Stone, a doctor continued to push her toward the operating room despite her protests. “Don’t worry. It’s all been taken care of,” the physician allegedly told her. Stone recounted standing up on the gurney, her hospital gown open, when a nurse and orderlies rushed in. She said a doctor shouted, “You can’t do that. I’m on the phone with People magazine,” while holding a fax.
Doctor’s response and nursing intervention
When Stone argued that she never signed off on the surgery, the doctor reportedly replied, “Yes, you did. I said you did. And I’m on the phone with People magazine.” Stone said she then fired the doctor.
She praised a head nurse who intervened, describing the nurse as a “50‑year‑old beautiful blonde woman” who ordered the team to return her to her room, ultimately saving Stone’s life.
Bronstein’s alleged role and later divorce
Stone also alleged that Bronstein initially delayed taking her to the hospital and later told doctors she was “faking it.” The couple separated in July 2003, and their divorce was finalized in early 2004. A 2008 San Francisco court later denied Stone’s attempt to modify the custody arrangement for their son, Roan, which listed Bronstein’s San Francisco home as the child’s primary residence.
Stone’s recovery and reflections
Stone has spoken publicly about her stroke many times. In a 2014 essay for The Hollywood Reporter, she wrote, “I bled in my brain for nine days. I spent two years learning to walk and talk again. I came home from that stroke stuttering, couldn’t read for two years. I was in an ICU for nine days and the survival rate for what I went through is very low.” She added that the experience has given her a stark perspective on aging and resilience.
In a 2012 interview with AARP, Stone linked her health crisis to the challenges she faced as an actress known for provocative roles, saying, “I had had a brain hemorrhage and was an actress who had made sexy movies. I would go to these philanthropic events where I had to get on stage, my head on the floor, praying: ‘God, please help me.'” The actress emphasized her reliance on faith throughout her recovery.
Public reaction
The story has drawn attention from fans and commentators who note the seriousness of medical consent and the importance of patient advocacy. While some critics have questioned the accuracy of Stone’s recollection, the actress’s account underscores the need for clear communication between patients, families, and medical professionals during emergency care.
Stone’s disclosure adds to ongoing conversations about patient rights, especially for high‑profile individuals whose medical decisions may be influenced by media attention.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
