Behind those striking images, however, lies a far more difficult reality. Applegate, who was diagnosed with MS in 2021, has revealed that some days the illness leaves her barely able to move. She often calls her bedroom a “sanctuary,” explaining that the pain can become so intense that even simple movement feels overwhelming. Much of the strength she finds to get up each day comes from her 15-year-old daughter, Sadie — even when something as simple as walking down the hallway feels like a major challenge.
In candid podcast conversations, Applegate has spoken emotionally about how the disease has affected her family. She admitted it feels as though Sadie “lost the mom she once had.” The actress, once known for her high energy, love of running, and dancing, now deals with strict physical limitations, anxiety about leaving home, and moments of severe, unpredictable pain.
She has also faced additional health scares along the way, including a serious kidney infection that required hospitalization after intense abdominal pain led doctors to perform an emergency CT scan.
Despite all of these struggles, Applegate says she feels stronger in many ways today — even if she still carries the “sad eyes” she remembers from childhood. And while she remains uncertain about what the future holds for her acting career, one thing is clear: she’s no longer hiding the truth about the battle she’s been fighting.
