TLC’s Jenny Slatten opens up about the heartbreaking health battle she has been facing privately. The reality TV star reveals her slow-progressing ALS diagnosis and how husband Sumit Singh is supporting her through it all.
Jenny Slatten, the beloved 68-year-old star of the “90 Day Fiancé” franchise, has shared devastating health news with her fans. The reality television personality has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Slatten, who lives in India with her husband Sumit Singh (38), confirmed the diagnosis through an exclusive interview with People magazine on May 19, 2026. She also addressed fans directly on Instagram, clearing up rumors that had been spreading online.
“With a heavy heart, we wanted to share the news with all of you guys. There was a rumor that I had a stroke, but it turned out to be ALS,” the couple wrote in a joint Instagram statement.
The diagnosis came in December 2025, marking the end of a frightening year filled with unexplained symptoms.
The First Signs of Trouble Started with a Glass of Water
The first warning sign appeared in December 2024 when Slatten choked “badly” while drinking water. Following this incident, she began suffering from severe migraines and had trouble swallowing her daily pills.
At first, the couple believed she had picked up some kind of infection. When medication seemed to help briefly, they thought the worst was over. But soon, a more alarming symptom appeared—Slatten’s speech began to slow down significantly.
“That’s when we knew something was wrong,” Slatten told People magazine.
The 68-year-old star became so self-conscious about her changing voice that she started avoiding phone calls and conversations entirely. Sometimes, she refused to speak at all.
Fans Noticed the Change Before the Diagnosis Was Official
The situation became impossible to hide in December 2025. Slatten traveled to New York City for a “90 Day Fiancé” holiday party. During an interview at the event, fans immediately noticed her speech was different.
Social media users began leaving comments suggesting she might have had a stroke. Others—more accurately—pointed to ALS as a possible cause.
Sumit initially thought his wife was simply exhausted from the long trip from India. But when he read the comment suggesting ALS, he decided to research the disease. What he found matched his wife’s symptoms exactly.
The suspicion carried an extra layer of fear for the family. Slatten’s father died from ALS more than a decade ago. In about 10% of cases, the disease has a genetic link.
A Diagnosis That Changed Everything
After returning to India, the couple visited multiple neurologists to get answers. When the doctors finally confirmed it was ALS, Slatten and Singh broke down together.
“We cried and held each other,” Slatten recalled.
ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Over time, patients lose the ability to control muscles needed for speaking, eating, and breathing. Currently, there is no cure for the condition.
The average life expectancy for ALS patients is roughly two to five years after diagnosis, though some people live longer with proper care.
However, Sumit shared a small piece of hopeful news with People. Doctors have told the couple that Jenny’s ALS progression appears to be “slow.”
The Couple’s Love Has Grown Stronger Through the Crisis
Rather than pulling them apart, the health crisis has deepened the bond between Jenny Slatten and her husband. Sumit, who is 30 years younger than Jenny, opened up about how caring for her has changed his view of love.
“Honestly, I never felt this much love, or I can love anyone this much,” Sumit said. “I used to live for myself. But from the last so many years, I feel like doing things for someone who you love gives you happiness—I think that’s what love is.”
Jenny echoed his feelings, adding simply: “And we’re happy that we’re together.”
The couple, who first appeared together on “90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way” in 2019, finally got married in 2021 after facing years of family opposition and visa issues.
Jenny Slatten Wants to Keep Living Normally
Despite the frightening diagnosis, Slatten has a clear message for her supporters. She does not want people to treat her like she is already gone.
“I don’t want to be treated any different,” she told People. “Let’s just live our life as we have been while we can.”
The reality star is not giving up. She is currently exploring genetic testing to see if she carries the ALS gene. If she does, she might qualify for medications designed to slow the disease’s progression.
Slatten has also joined online support communities to learn about new treatments and clinical trials happening around the world.
“Right now we’re just looking and searching,” she explained. By sharing her story publicly, she hopes “maybe somebody will come forward with something” that could make a difference.
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Fans Will See the Couple on TV Again Soon
Jenny and Sumit are scheduled to appear in the upcoming season 3 of “90 Day: The Last Resort.” The new season is set to premiere on June 1, 2026, on TLC.
The show will follow the couple as they continue to navigate their life together in India while dealing with the reality of Jenny’s diagnosis. For now, Slatten says she is doing well and remains surrounded by love and support.
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