NEW YORK, USA – Harvey Weinstein, the former Hollywood titan whose fall from grace ignited the #MeToo movement, has been diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, NBC News reports exclusively.
Weinstein, 72, is currently serving multiple sentences for sexual crimes and is undergoing treatment for the disease at Rikers Island, where he remains incarcerated.
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a rare form of bone marrow cancer, as described by the Mayo Clinic, which can cause a slow progression of symptoms and requires ongoing medical care.
Craig Rothfeld, Weinstein’s healthcare representative, acknowledged the diagnosis but refrained from further comment, stating, “Out of respect for Mr Weinstein’s privacy, we will offer no further comment.”
The diagnosis comes in the midst of an ongoing series of medical challenges for Weinstein.
Just last month, he was rushed to a hospital for emergency heart surgery after suffering from severe fluid buildup in his heart and lungs.
Earlier this year, he tested positive for COVID-19 and developed double pneumonia while in custody.
Weinstein’s health struggles add another layer to the legal drama that has engulfed him for years.
Harvey Weinstein was convicted in 2020 of sexual assault charges in New York and sentenced to 23 years in prison.
However, his conviction was overturned earlier this year by New York’s Court of Appeals, which found that the trial judge allowed testimony from women whose allegations were not directly related to the charges against him, prejudicing the jury.
Despite the overturned conviction in New York, Weinstein remains imprisoned.
He was convicted in 2022 of additional rape charges in Los Angeles and sentenced to 16 years behind bars. His legal team is currently appealing that conviction.
Weinstein’s attorneys have also been battling with Manhattan prosecutors, who are seeking to combine new charges with the original indictment.
Prosecutors hope to consolidate these charges, streamlining the legal process for future trials.
Weinstein’s ongoing health issues further complicate these developments, though it remains unclear how or if his medical condition will impact his legal proceedings.
Weinstein’s case continues to draw national attention, as it first catalyzed the global #MeToo movement, leading to a broader reckoning in industries across the world.
The legal battles surrounding Weinstein are expected to persist for months, if not years, with appeals pending in both New York and California.
The former movie producer, whose career once defined Hollywood’s power dynamics, now faces an uncertain future—both in the courtroom and in his health.
