Chris Hemsworth is clearing out rumors about his health. The actor learned in 2022 that he has a high genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s, and shortly after the news was made public, he took a break from acting. People put the two things together and soon news started floating that actor was retiring or that he had already developed the disease.
In a recent interview, Chris Hemsworth admitted that the rumours had upset him.
“It really kind of p—ed me off because it felt like I had been vulnerable with something personal and shared this,” he admitted in an interview with Vanity Fair.
“No matter how much I said, ‘This is not a death sentence,’ the story became that I have dementia and I’m reconsidering life and retiring and so on.”
He then joked, “I did read a really funny comment at the bottom of one article: ‘I hope Chris forgets he’s retiring and comes back.’”
Discovering genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s
Chris recalls he originally discovered the higher likelihood of him developing Alzheimer’s on his Disney+ series, Limitless– a show that talked about health and longevity. In one episode, he underwent a number of blood tests.
“We’ve got every blood test one can get,” the doctor told Hemsworth. “And you’ve got two copies of APOE4. A set from your mom and a set from your dad.”
APOE4 is the gene that has the strongest correlation to the development of Alzheimer’s disease, however, not much is known about it.
According to the reports, Hemsworth is 8 to 10 times more likely to develop the disease than the average individual.
“The idea that I won’t be able to remember the life I experienced, or my wife, my kids, is probably my biggest fear,” the “Thor” star candidly shared in the episode.
The actor also revealed that his grandfather suffered from the disease. “He either doesn’t remember who we are, you know, his grandkids, but also even his own children, for years. It’s heartbreaking.”
Chris’ grandfather passed away from Alzheimer’s soon after the filming of the show. The actor has revealed that his father is currently experiencing early signs.
“I know my dad is going through a transition of acceptance around ‘I’m not this big, strong man with all the answers who everybody looks to for guidance now,’” he said.
“He’s much more the observer now, rather than leading the pack. It’s a reminder to me because those are exactly the qualities I need: stillness, observation, absorption, a respect for the present moment.”
Chris now admits to take care of himself more and understanding the importance of stillness.
“I’ve always been pretty consistent with my exercise commitments, but lately I’ve really felt the importance of taking time for yourself without any outside voice or stimulation and making time for stillness,” he said.
“I do a lot of meditation and breath work, mostly during sauna and ice bath routines. For me, my favorite mindfulness work comes from the immersion in physical activities that allow me to be fully present and force me out of my head and into my body, in particular surfing.”
Hemsworth lives in Australia with wife Elsa Pataky and their three children, daughter India and twin sons Sasha and Tristan.