Martina Navratilova, Tennis Star and Wife of RHOM’s Julia Lemigova, Diagnosed With Throat and Breast Cancer

02.01.2023 - 19:33 / usmagazine.com

Tennis star Martina Navratilova is kicking off 2023 in treatment for two different kinds of cancer.

The 66-year-old athlete told Tennis.com on Monday, January 2, that she is staying optimistic after being diagnosed with stage I, type HPV throat cancer. During a screening, doctors discovered that she also has an unrelated form of breast cancer.

“This double whammy is serious but still fixable, and I’m hoping for a favorable outcome,” Navratilova told the outlet. “It’s going to stink for a while, but I’ll fight with all have I got.”

Navratilova, an 18-time Grand Slam winner, previously battled breast cancer in 2010. She was cancer-free six months later.

“It is just in that one breast. I’m OK and I’ll make a full recovery,” she said on Good Morning America in April 2010. “I’m this healthy person, I’ve been healthy all my life, and all of a sudden, I have cancer, are you kidding me? The reason I wanted to speak about this is to encourage [women] to have mammograms. I just want to encourage women to have that yearly check-up.”

In addition to her major success on the tennis court, Navratilova is known for being married to Real Housewives of Miami star Julia Lemigova. (The duo wed in 2014.) Their relationship has been documented on the Peacock revival of the Bravo series since RHOM returned for season 4 in 2021.

During season 5, which is currently airing, Lemigova has been candid about their relationship woes as the model struggles with her daughters, Victoria and Emma, leaving the house for school. The spouses have subsequently been arguing about whether to live on their farm or in the city.

“Life is about sacrifices, and I know Martina really wanted to be in our new house in Miami, which, of course, I understand — anybody would.