In a shocking twist of fate, Sam Vanderpump, the charismatic nephew of reality TV star Lisa Vanderpump, found himself on the brink of death—just as his star was beginning to rise. Sam, who appeared in the latest season of Made in Chelsea, was living his dream of stepping into the spotlight when the unthinkable happened: a simple case of the flu turned into a life-threatening medical emergency.
Sam, 27, was struck by a flu that quickly spiraled into a far more serious condition. What began with severe dehydration and back pain escalated rapidly, leaving him delirious and disoriented. His girlfriend, model Alice Yaxley, acted quickly, calling an ambulance when she realized how dire the situation had become. Little did Sam know, he was battling sepsis, a potentially fatal infection that had caused his organs to start shutting down.
Sam shared the terrifying details of his battle with death in an exclusive interview, revealing the chilling words from his doctor: “You’re going into liver and kidney failure.” Stricken with fear and disbelief, Sam couldn’t fathom how quickly his health had deteriorated. “I thought I was going to die,” he confessed. “It was the scariest thing I’ve ever experienced.”
Doctors later informed Sam that if he had waited just 24 more hours before seeking medical help, he would have likely died. His liver and kidneys were no longer functioning, and his body was fighting to stay alive. The medical team struggled for two full days to bring his infection under control, while Sam’s organs began to fail. He developed jaundice, and his abdomen swelled up due to the buildup of fluids.
While many would have been paralyzed by fear in such a dire situation, Sam’s story takes a hopeful turn. Miraculously, after weeks of intense treatments, including antibiotics and anti-fungal medications, Sam began to recover. He was eventually discharged from the hospital just in time for Christmas, a holiday he thought he might not see. Despite the physical toll the illness had taken on him, he emerged with a new perspective on life.
Reflecting on his near-death experience, Sam shared how it had changed him. “This has given me a new outlook on life,” he said. “In the past, I would spend my free time partying and being reckless, but now I want to live my life differently.” He acknowledged that his dormant liver and kidney disease had made him more vulnerable to the flu, but it was the combination of these factors that led to his life-threatening condition. Doctors believe that the flu weakened his immune system, making him susceptible to the infection that nearly claimed his life.
The experience has also led Sam to make significant changes. He plans to focus more on meaningful pursuits, including a charity event he’s organizing, which will be featured on Made in Chelsea. As he gears up for the next season of the show, Sam is determined to use his story to inspire others and give back to the community that supported him during his recovery.
Sam’s brush with death may have been a sobering reminder of how fragile life can be, but it has also become the catalyst for a new chapter. As his fame continues to grow, Sam Vanderpump is proving that sometimes, the darkest moments can lead to the brightest transformations.