Daisy Ridley, a British actress known for her work on the “Star Wars” sequel trilogy, has revealed that she was diagnosed with Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid gland.
Ridley, 32, disclosed her diagnosis in a recent interview with Women’s Health, published Aug. 6, explaining that she began experiencing symptoms after wrapping up production of her new thriller film, “Magpie,” including a rapid heart rate, hand tremors, weight loss, and fatigue.
“I thought, ‘Well, I’ve just played a really stressful role; presumably that’s why I feel poorly,’” she recalled.
However, after consulting with an endocrinologist in September 2023, Ridley was informed that she had the autoimmune disease.
According to the Mayo Clinic, Graves’ disease is most commonly diagnosed in women and people over the age of 30. The disorder causes the body’s immune system to attack the thyroid gland, causing it to produce excessive amounts of thyroid hormones, a condition known as hyperthyroidism.
In addition to the symptoms Ridley experienced, other indicators of the disease may include changes in menstrual cycle, frequent bowel movements, discolored skin on the shins or tops of the feet, and irritability, among others.
“I didn’t realize how bad I felt before,” offered Ridley. “Then I looked back and thought, ‘How did I do that?’”
The actress told the publication that her diagnosis motivated her to be more mindful of her overall well-being.
“I do a fair amount of the holistic stuff,” Ridley noted, sharing that she has incorporated cryotherapy, massages, acupuncture, and infrared saunas into her wellness routine.
“But I also understand that it is a privilege to be able to do those things,” she added.
Ridley said she continues to work with her fitness trainer, focusing on workouts that align with her body’s needs, such as light lifting exercises as well as mobility and body-weight movements.
“Generally, my training stays pretty consistent. And then we tailor stuff to what I’m doing,” she explained. “It’s just finding the balance, and me understanding now where my tolerance really ends.”
Health Battles
Ridley, who rose to fame in 2015 after landing the role of Rey in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” has been very open about her health struggles over the years.
When she was a teenager, the actress was diagnosed with endometriosis, a painful condition that occurs when tissue develops outside of the uterus, such as in the fallopian tubes, ovaries, bladder, or rectum, per Johns Hopkins Medicine.
In June 2016, Ridley, then 24, took to social media to reveal that she was diagnosed with polycystic ovaries—a symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome—which occurs when a woman’s ovaries become enlarged and develop fluid-filled sacs, per the Mayo Clinic.
“To any of you who are suffering with anything, go to a doctor; pay for a specialist; get your hormones tested, get allergy testing; keep on top of how your body is feeling and don’t worry about sounding like a hypochondriac,” she wrote in a since-deleted Instagram post, per Teen Vogue.
“From your head to the tips of your toes we only have one body,” she continued. “Let us all make sure ours [are] working in tip top condition, and take help if it’s needed.”
Ridley has also previously discussed how her busy work schedule during the production of the “Star Wars” sequel trilogy affected her health.
In an interview with GQ, published in December 2019, the actress described seeing noticeable changes in her appearance after 2017’s “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” was released.
“I saw a picture of me at the London premiere and I was so skinny and my skin was terrible,” she said, sharing that she also developed holes in the wall of her gut, caused by stress.
“My body was just [expletive] up. I got tests done and it turned out my body was taking in no nutrients,” she shared. “I was just like a little skeleton and I was just so tired. I was becoming a ghost.”
During that time, Ridley also appeared in 2017’s “Murder on the Orient Express” and 2018’s “Ophelia.” However, she told the publication that she was able to take a six-month sabbatical before filming 2019’s “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” so she could focus on her health.
“I just needed to be at home and chill,” she said in part.
“Just being in London, it was so nice. Not having to rush everything through,” Ridley continued. “It was lovely.”