MasterChef Australia star Anna Polyviou has revealed a secret, debilitating health battle.
The famous foodie, 46, took to Instagram on Tuesday to reveal that she had been suffering from a mystery illness that left her unable to speak.
Anna shared a series of photos and clips showing her recuperating in hospital.
’12 months ago today, I woke up and I couldn’t speak,’ Anna admitted in the post’s caption.
‘I was told I had to go straight to hospital, in which I went five hours later. They thought I’d had a stroke.’
Anna added that she was in hospital for more than two weeks as doctors scrambled to discover the cause of her worrying symptoms.
MasterChef Australia star Anna Polyviou has revealed a secret, debilitating health battle. (Pictured)
Anna shared a series of photos and clips that showed her recuperating in hospital
‘I ended up being in hospital for 16 days, getting jabbed, tested, scanned, you name it. I couldn’t swallow. I couldn’t talk properly. I had no answers at the start,’ she said.
Anna continued, revealing that the cause was eventually found, with only two people in Australia suffering from the condition.
‘Eventually they found it – an infection in my skull, in the bone marrow, and wasn’t looking good, as there’s only ever been two cases in Australia and I was one of them,’ Anna revealed.
‘One of the scariest discussions I’ve ever had to have in my life. I was off work for months. Restricted in so many ways.
‘Forced to slow down when slowing down is the one thing I never do.’
Now recovered from her nightmare ordeal, Anna was quick to thank everyone responsible for her recovery.
‘But today… I look back and I’m grateful,’ she added. ‘Grateful for the doctors and nurses, who helped me through it all and [are] now great friends and so special to me.
‘Grateful for my loved ones, family and friends who showed up. That I’m here working, creating, laughing, living.’
’12 months ago today, I woke up and I couldn’t speak,’ revealed Anna. ‘They thought I’d had a stroke’
‘I ended up being in hospital for 16 days getting jabbed, tested, scanned, you name it. I couldn’t swallow. I couldn’t talk properly. I had no answers at the start,’ she said
Reflecting on her health journey, Anna added that she was ‘proud’ to have come out the other side healthy.
‘This year taught me strength I didn’t know I had. It taught me to appreciate everything – my health, my voice, my passion, my people,’ she said.
‘I gave it my all to get back to where I am today. And I’m proud. So damn proud. Here’s to a year of healing… and to whatever magic comes next.’
Anna’s shock post was met with an outpouring of support from friends and followers.
Channel Seven star Melissa Doyle offered: ‘You my friend are magic. Here’s to a fabulous & healthy year ahead.’
Fitness maven and former Biggest Loser star Michelle Bridges was also quick to offer her best wishes.
‘Incredible! True resilience. Here’s to a wonderful 2026, my love,’ Michelle wrote.
The likes of fellow MasterChef star Julie Goodwin, MAFS groom Ryan Gallagher and Bachelor star Anna Heinrich also offered Anna supportive words.
‘Eventually they found it – an infection in my skull, in the bone marrow, and wasn’t looking good as there’s only ever been two cases in Australia and I was one of them,’ Anna revealed
