Kerry Katona's Marbella Yacht Trip After Health Scare
Kerry Katona, the 45-year-old Atomic Kitten singer, was spotted enjoying a sun-soaked yacht trip in Marbella on Thursday. This marked her first public appearance since being rushed to hospital over a suspected stroke. She was joined by her boyfriend, Paolo Margaglione, 33, and two of her children to celebrate her rarely seen son Maxwell's 18th birthday.
Celebration Amidst Recovery
Kerry, who is set to move to Spain later this year, showcased her toned and tattooed figure in a tiny thong bikini as she topped up her tan. The mother-of-five, who admitted the recent hospital dash had left her fearing for her life, sizzled in the vibrant two-piece. Meanwhile, hunky Paolo went shirtless as the couple were spotted packing on the PDA.
The lovebirds were later joined by birthday boy Maxwell and Kerry's daughter Heidi, 19, both of whom she shares with her second husband, Mark Croft. Kerry is also mother to daughters Molly, 24, and Lily-Sue, 22, from her first marriage to Westlife's Brian McFadden, as well as 11-year-old DJ from her late third husband, George Kay.
Recent Health Scare Details
This outing comes after Kerry revealed she had never been so scared following a health incident. Her daughter Heidi noticed Kerry couldn't smile properly while they were watching her eldest daughter Molly in a London play. Kerry herself noticed the lack of facial movement during a bathroom trip mid-performance.
Speaking for the first time about the terrifying scare, Kerry told The Mirror: Heidi was like, 'Mum, what’s wrong with your face?' I started panicking. I discreetly left, went to my hotel and asked to see a doctor. I told the staff, 'Something’s not right'.
The hotel informed her a doctor wouldn't be available for four hours, so she took a taxi to St Thomas' Hospital. There, medical staff treated it as a potential stroke, blue-lighting her in an ambulance to King’s College Hospital for urgent care.
Medical Diagnosis and Aftermath
Doctors ruled out a stroke after tests and CT scans, but Kerry disclosed that scans showed a part of my brain that’s broken and isn’t able to send signals to my face due to stress. She has since experienced slurred speech, facial muscle issues, and shooting head pains.
Kerry is planning to undergo speech therapy and facial exercises, with doctors assuring her that movement and speech will likely return. However, she admitted feeling a bit panicky with it. During the scare, she messaged all her children, fearing she might never speak to them again.
Personal Life Updates
Earlier this month, Kerry revealed she suffered two miscarriages with boyfriend Paolo after unexpectedly falling pregnant while filming Celebs Go Dating. The couple met on the show's set around April 2025 and went public with their relationship in June 2025.
Kerry bravely shared details of a previous miscarriage in 2022, which occurred around 2015, as documented in her memoir. She emphasized the emotional toll of these experiences, noting how much she realized she wanted a child after the losses.
Understanding Stroke Risks
A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is cut off (ischemic) or a blood vessel bursts (hemorrhagic), depriving brain cells of oxygen. Immediate emergency attention is crucial to prevent permanent damage or death.
Key risk factors include:
- Age and high blood pressure
- Smoking and obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle and diabetes
- Family history and previous strokes
Symptoms to watch for:
- Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg
- Confusion or trouble speaking
- Blurred vision or trouble walking
- Severe headache with no known cause
Survivors often face life-long disabilities, and treatment typically requires surgery or drugs like tPA within three hours. Kerry's experience highlights how quickly health situations can change, underscoring the importance of prompt medical response.
