Donald Glover Says He Suffered a Stroke During 2024 Childish Gambino World Tour: ‘They Found a Hole in My Heart’

During a surprise appearance at Tyler, the Creator's Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival, Donald Glover—the multi-talented artist known as Childish Gambino—revealed the serious medical emergency that forced the cancellation of his 2024 New World Tour. He explained to the audience that he had suffered a stroke, which brought the global concert series to an abrupt end after only 18 performances.

Glover described experiencing a severe headache and vision problems while on stage in Louisiana, yet he managed to finish the show. He then traveled to Houston, where doctors confirmed he had suffered a stroke. His initial response mixed dark humor with genuine concern for his team and fans, quipping that he was "still copying Jamie Foxx"—a reference to the actor’s own 2023 health scare—while expressing disappointment at having to cancel the tour.

Medical professionals later discovered he had a patent foramen ovale (PFO), a small opening between the heart’s upper chambers that is present from birth. This condition, which affects up to 25% of the general population and can elevate stroke risk in adults, required two separate surgeries. Glover remarked, "They found a hole in my heart, so I had this surgery, and then I had to have another surgery." The experience led him to reflect deeply, quoting a saying: "They say everybody has two lives, and the second life starts when you realize you have one."

This candid explanation finally gave context to a vague social media post from earlier in the year, in which Glover had alluded to an unspecified health issue and surgeries before deleting the message. His recent disclosure confirms the severity of a condition he had initially kept private.

The incident sheds light on the immense physical strain faced by touring artists. Ethnomusicologist Dr. Lena Shaw, who specializes in performer health, observes, "The relentless schedule of travel, high-intensity shows, and promotional duties can take a hidden toll, sometimes revealing or worsening pre-existing medical issues." For Glover—who created and starred in the groundbreaking FX series "Atlanta," which concluded in 2022 after earning multiple Emmy Awards—this health scare may prompt a more deliberate approach to his wide-ranging creative endeavors, prioritizing long-term wellness alongside artistic output.