Olivia Munn Comforted by Kate Middleton's Cancer Comments

A Shared Journey: How Kate Middleton's Words Brought Comfort to Olivia Munn

In the world of celebrity health advocacy, two prominent figures have recently found a connection through their shared experiences with cancer. Olivia Munn, the 45-year-old actress known for her roles in films like The Predator and TV shows like New Girl, has revealed that candid comments from Princess Kate Middleton about life after cancer treatment provided her with much-needed comfort during her own battle with breast cancer.

Munn made this revelation during a November 19 appearance on NBC's Today show, where she spoke openly about her journey with bilateral breast cancer, a diagnosis she received in 2024. The actress, who has become a tireless advocate for breast cancer awareness, admitted that while many people focus on the challenges of treatment itself, the period that follows can be even more difficult to navigate.

"It was so great to hear her say it because I wasn't able to put the words in myself, and I've been talking so much about breast cancer. The first part is hard, but a lot of people don't talk about how hard the second part is," Munn shared with host Jenna Bush Hager.

The "second part" Munn refers to is the often-overlooked aftermath of cancer treatment—a period of recovery, adjustment, and emotional processing that Princess Kate has also spoken about publicly. The Princess of Wales, who was diagnosed with an undisclosed type of cancer in March 2024 and announced she was in remission in January 2025, has been remarkably candid about her experiences.

During her recovery, Kate described how life after treatment presents unique challenges: "You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment, treatments done, then it's like, 'I can crack on, get back to normal,' but actually the phase afterwards is really, really difficult." She elaborated on this, explaining: "You're not necessarily under the clinical team any longer, but you're not able to function normally at home as you perhaps once used to… You have to find your new normal and that takes time...and it's a roller coaster, it's not smooth, like you expect it to be. But the reality is you go through hard times."

For Munn, who underwent five surgeries including a double mastectomy in May 2023, reconstruction, lymph node dissection, and a hysterectomy with oophorectomy, Kate's words resonated deeply. "I actually didn't know how to articulate it, and then I heard her say recently that, 'Oh, it's hard, but this other part is really tough. The part after the surgeries and stuff like that.' It really made me feel so comforted that someone in her position was talking about it, because I needed to hear that. I needed someone to articulate that," Munn explained.

The connection between these two high-profile women highlights an important aspect of cancer advocacy: the power of shared experience. Both Munn and Kate have used their platforms to raise awareness about the disease, with Munn being honored with the Excellence in Cancer Awareness Award at the 32nd Annual Action for Cancer Awareness Awards luncheon on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. last September.

In the face of her diagnosis, Munn has shown remarkable resilience. Not only did she navigate the physical and emotional challenges of treatment, but she and her partner John Mulaney also welcomed a second child via surrogate following her surgeries. Her openness about her journey has provided inspiration and comfort to countless others facing similar battles.

As both women continue their recovery journeys, their shared experience serves as a reminder of the importance of open conversation about the full spectrum of cancer—from diagnosis through treatment to the often-challenging path of recovery and finding a "new normal." In sharing their stories, they offer not just awareness but genuine comfort to those who may feel alone in their struggles.