Grammy Award-winning singer Patti LaBelle, whose career spans six decades, was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in the mid-1990s. The diagnosis was a wake-up call that transformed her approach to food, health, and advocacy.
LaBelle has spoken openly about the moment she collapsed onstage due to low blood sugar — a turning point that made her take her condition seriously. She subsequently became one of the most prominent celebrity ambassadors for diabetes awareness, partnering with advocacy organizations and writing books including LaBelle Cuisine and Patti LaBelle's Lite Cuisine, offering healthier versions of her beloved soul food recipes.
As a Black woman, LaBelle has been particularly vocal about the disproportionate impact of diabetes on African American communities. Black Americans are 60% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than white Americans, a disparity she has worked to address through education and community outreach.
LaBelle continues to manage her diabetes through diet, exercise, and medication, and remains one of the most recognized voices in the diabetes advocacy space.