Jean Smart Opens up about Her Heart Procedure Following Husband's Sudden Death & Being Single Mom of Teen at 71

• Jean Smart underwent a heart procedure and gave fans a health update.

• Life after death: becoming a widow and single mom at 71.

The iconic actress Jean Smart has recently shared that she underwent heart surgery. In an unexpected Instagram post, the actress tried to create awareness about heart health by posting a statement in which she confessed that she had a successful open-heart surgery recently.

Smart made the post to celebrate February, which is widely recognized as Heart Month. During February, many people with a history of heart disease and heart surgery survivors urge others to take care of their bodies and take the necessary steps to avoid heart disease.

Heart disease isn't the first significant obstacle Smart has overcome in her lifetime. She powered on and did her best to raise her son alone after the death of her husband. The actress opened up about the experience and how she got through it.

Jean Smart Underwent a Heart Procedure: She Gave a Health Update

Smart's husband, Richard Gilliland, tragically passed away at the age of 71 in 2021. Like his wife, Gilliland had been struggling with heart disease, although the actor had no idea the disease had progressed as far as it had. He passed away due to his bad heart.

She coped by pouring herself into her work.

In her Instagram post, Smart shared that she was recuperating from successful heart surgery, applauding the excellent medical attention she received.

After saying sharing the news with her followers felt important, she also thanked her family for being by her side throughout the ordeal. Lastly, she urged fans to stay healthy. She wrote, "Please listen to your body and talk to your doctor."

Life after Death: Becoming a Widow and Single Mom at 71

Gilliland's death left Smart completely distraught. The actress was left alone with her young son, Forrest Gilliland. She had to look after the young boy on her own amid the grief of losing her partner of 34 years. Although it was difficult, Smart decided to keep her head up and find ways to get through the grief.

After her husband's death, Smart opened up about life without him and her approach to raising her two boys. She mentioned that losing her husband was "very unexpected," and being a single mother was among the most challenging things she has ever had to do.

She coped by pouring herself into her work. Smart confessed that she mostly forgot about her grief when she stepped onto a set. She also mentioned that her co-workers were a tremendous source of support after Gilliland's death. She gushed:

"The work has brought me great satisfaction and a great distraction certainly from my grief. I work with the most loving, wonderful people who have just supported me and loved me and helped me through all of this."

Smart also thanked her two boys, Forrest and Connor Gilliland, for their continued support and understanding. She admitted that she spent many days working far away from home, and both encouraged her. Similarly, Forrest commented, "[I'm] very proud of [my mother]. She really deserves it [and] worked really hard for everything."