Famous and Well-known People Who Have or Had ME/CFS
Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2 Jun 2025 - Updated: 2 Jul 2026
Publication Type: Awareness, Appreciation
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates - Related Content
Synopsis: This article provides an overview of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), a debilitating chronic illness affecting multiple systems of the body and marked by extreme fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and post-exertional malaise. It highlights the illness's diagnostic challenges, its wide-ranging symptoms, and its often-misunderstood nature due to the invisible and fluctuating course of the disease. By profiling numerous confirmed and suspected high-profile cases, the article brings attention to the reality that ME/CFS can affect anyone - regardless of profession, age, or social standing - including athletes, artists, and scholars. This information is particularly valuable for medical professionals, caregivers, and patients, including seniors and individuals with disabilities, as it underscores the necessity for greater awareness, better diagnostic support, and compassionate care for a condition that significantly disrupts daily functioning and quality of life.
At a Glance
- 1 - Suspected historical cases include naturalist Charles Darwin and nursing founder Florence Nightingale.
- 2 - Merryn Crofts and Sophia Mirza are listed among cases where ME/CFS was recorded as a cause of death in the UK.
- 3 - Confirmed diagnoses span elite athletes such as MotoGP champion Casey Stoner and Olympic soccer player Michelle Akers, alongside musicians like Stevie Nicks and Flea. The list also features authors, politicians, and academics from multiple countries.
- Topic Definition: ME/CFS
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, commonly shortened to ME/CFS, is a long-term, multi-system illness defined by profound fatigue that rest does not relieve and that grows worse after physical or mental effort. It reaches into the immune, neurological, and endocrine systems, producing symptoms such as post-exertional malaise, unrefreshing sleep, cognitive trouble often called "brain fog," and difficulty staying upright. Because there is no single known cause and no cure, doctors reach a diagnosis only after ruling out other conditions, which means the illness is frequently misread or missed altogether. It can strike people of any age or background, and its severity ranges widely - some are bedridden while others look well yet struggle with ordinary daily tasks - which is why greater awareness, research, and compassionate care matter so much.
Introduction
Famous People Living With ME/CFS and What This Complex Chronic Illness Really Means
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex, chronic illness characterized by extreme fatigue that is not relieved by rest and worsens with physical or mental activity. It affects multiple body systems, including the immune, neurological, and endocrine systems. Common symptoms include post-exertional malaise (a worsening of symptoms after exertion), unrefreshing sleep, cognitive impairments often referred to as “brain fog,” and orthostatic intolerance (difficulty standing or sitting upright). There is no definitive cause or cure, and diagnosis is based on clinical criteria after other conditions are ruled out. Because of its invisible nature and fluctuating symptoms, ME/CFS is often misunderstood or misdiagnosed.
ME/CFS can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background. While it is more commonly diagnosed in women and adults between the ages of 30 and 50, children and the elderly can also develop the illness. In some cases, ME/CFS begins after a viral infection, but for others, it develops gradually without a clear trigger. The severity varies - some individuals may be housebound or bedridden, while others may appear outwardly healthy but struggle with basic daily tasks. This illness can disrupt careers, education, and personal relationships, highlighting the importance of awareness, research, and compassionate care.
Main Content
| Name | Occupation | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| Ali Smith | Author | British |
| Amy Peterson | Short track speed skater | American |
| Amy Studt | Musician | British |
| Andrew Oldcorn | Golfer | British |
| Andy Hunt | Association footballer | British |
| Ann Bannon | Author | American |
| Ari Taub | Olympic Greco-Roman wrestler | Canadian |
| Blake Edwards | Film director, screenwriter and producer | American |
| Bradley Simmonds | Radio DJ, host | New Zealander |
| Brooks Mileson | Businessman | British |
| Brynmor John | Politician | British |
| Casey Stoner | MotoGP world champion | Australian |
| Cher | Recording artist, actress, director, and record producer | American |
| Chris Willsher | Singer with The Bus Station Loonies | British |
| Clare Francis | Yachtswoman and novelist | British |
| David Puttnam | British film maker and producer | British |
| Dianna Cowern | YouTuber and science communicator | American |
| Elisabeth Tova Bailey | Author | American |
| Emma Blackery | YouTuber and singer-songwriter | British |
| Flea (Michael Balzary) | Bassist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers | Australian-American |
| Florian-Ayala Fauna | Artist, musician, music producer | American |
| Henrik Berggren | Lead singer in the band Broder Daniel | Swedish |
| Howard Bloom | Publicist and writer | American |
| Ilko-Sascha Kowalczuk | German historian and author | German |
| Jennifer Brea | Documentary filmmaker and activist | American |
| Jens Höing | Racing driver | German |
| John Rutter | Composer | British |
| Karin Alvtegen | Author | Swedish |
| Katharine Windsor | Duchess of Kent | British |
| Keith Jarrett | Jazz pianist | American |
| Ken Wilber | Author | American |
| Laura Dundovic | Former Miss Universe Australia | Australian |
| Laura Hillenbrand | Author | American |
| Leigh Hatcher | Journalist and news presenter | Australian |
| Leonard A. Jason | Professor of psychology at DePaul University | American |
| Luke Ford | Journalist and Blogger | Australian-American |
| Marina Weisband | Politician | German |
| Martin Phillips | Association footballer | British |
| Merryn Crofts | Drama student whose death was caused by ME/CFS | British |
| Mia Diekow | Musician, voice actress, patient advocate | German |
| Michael Crawford | Actor and singer | British |
| Michelle Akers | Former Olympic soccer player | American |
| Miranda Hart | Actress, comedian and writer | British |
| Naomi Weisstein | Author and neuroscientist | American |
| Neil Codling | Keyboard player for the band Suede | British |
| Olaf Bodden | Professional soccer player | German |
| Paul Atherton | Television and film producer | British |
| Pema Chödrön | Buddhist nun | American |
| Peter Marshall | Squash player | British |
| Richie Barnett | Rugby League player and television presenter | New Zealander |
| Ricky Carmichael | Motocross racer | American |
| Roger Cicero | Jazz and pop musician | German |
| Roger King | Novelist | British living in US |
| Ronald Page | the plaintiff of Page v Smith | British |
| Sophia Mirza | A woman who was the first to have CFS listed as a cause of death in the UK | British |
| Stephan Jenkins | Lead singer of Third Eye Blind | American |
| Stevie Nicks | American singer-songwriter | American |
| Stuart Murdoch | Musician, lead singer in the band Belle and Sebastian | British (Scottish) |
| Susan Blackmore | Writer and lecturer | British |
| Susan Harris | Television writer and producer | American |
| Susanna Clarke | Author | British |
| Tom Clarke | Politician | British |
| Trip Lee | Rapper | American |
| Yvette Cooper | Politician | British |
| Name | Occupation | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| Charles Darwin | Naturalist, geologist, and biologist | British |
| Florence Nightingale | Founder of modern nursing | British |
NOTE: If you notice any inaccuracies in this list, please reach out to us so we can correct it. Additionally, if you believe someone should be added to this list, please provide us with their name and any information to verify their disability. We value your help, and you can contact us here.
You can also view our other lists of famous and well-known people with various disabilities and conditions, including actors, politicians, and writers who contributed to society.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: Though ME/CFS continues to be underrecognized in public health conversations, the breadth of individuals affected - spanning Olympians, musicians, and academics - makes clear that this is not a niche condition. This article helps demystify ME/CFS by bridging clinical insights with human stories, offering a sobering reminder of the need for robust research funding, broader medical education, and societal acknowledgment. As aging populations and post-viral illnesses gain prominence, ME/CFS deserves more than sympathy - it requires scientific urgency and structural change in healthcare response.
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.