Zach Roloff, one of the stars of the popular reality TV show Little People, Big World, recently revealed a shocking health scare that he faced last year, along with his wife Tori Roloff. The couple spoke candidly about their near-death experience that shook their family to the core, as they addressed Zach’s emergency brain surgery on their podcast Raising Heights.
Who is Zach Roloff?
Zach Roloff, born on May 10, 1990, is a familiar face to many as one of the stars of the long-running reality television show Little People, Big World. The series, which premiered in 2006 on TLC, offers viewers an intimate look into the lives of the Roloff family, who reside on a farm near Portland, Oregon. Zach, born with dwarfism like his parents Matt and Amy, has been a central figure on the show, alongside his twin brother Jeremy and siblings Molly and Jacob. The show has captured the ups and downs of the Roloff family over the years, including Zach’s journey living with dwarfism as he navigates his life’s challenges and relationship with his wife, Tori Roloff. The couple, who married in 2015, have two children: Jackson, 3, and Lilah, 1, who also have dwarfism.
What happened to Zach Roloff?
In February 2023, Zach Roloff faced a terrifying health crisis that stemmed from chronic migraines he had been experiencing for nearly a decade. Despite multiple visits to doctors and inconclusive tests, the cause of Zach’s debilitating headaches remained elusive. However, Zach and Tori’s lives took a frightening turn when Zach’s health rapidly deteriorated.
“We would go the ER and I would get tested and they wouldn’t see anything. We just settled on … I was having these episodes and sometimes a nap would help,” Zach shared.
During an episode of their podcast Raising Heights, Zach and Tori recounted the terrifying ordeal that unfolded when Zach’s shunt, a medical device implanted in his brain to manage fluid buildup, malfunctioned. Tori described the panicked moments when she was alerted to Zach’s condition, recalling rushing to the ICU where Zach was being treated. Zach’s condition became critical as doctors worked to manually drain fluid from his brain, a temporary measure to alleviate the pressure caused by the malfunctioning shunt.
“I remember thinking, ‘This is it. This is the last time I’m going to see my husband alive,’” Tori said.
How is Zach Roloff doing now?
Zach Roloff underwent an emergency shunt revision on February 10, 2023, a procedure that involved replacing the faulty device with a new one. The surgery was successful and Zach was able to return home after a few days in the hospital. He shared a health update with his fans on Instagram, thanking them for their prayers and support.
“I’m doing well and recovering. I’m feeling good. I’m just taking it easy,” Zach said.
Tori also expressed her gratitude and relief on social media, posting a photo of Zach holding their daughter Lilah.
“He is doing well and recovering. We are so thankful for all the love and support. We are so grateful for the amazing doctors and nurses who took care of Zach and continue to care for him,” Tori wrote.
Zach and Tori Roloff are looking forward to moving on from this scary episode and focusing on their family and their future. They are also excited for the upcoming 25th season of Little People, Big World, which will premiere on February 20, 2024, on TLC. The show will feature more of their personal and professional endeavors, as well as their parenting adventures with their two adorable kids.
“We’re just so thankful for this life we have and for the people who are in it,” Tori said.
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