'Bringing Up Bates' Kelly Jo Bates Almost Dies, Ends Up In ICU

Bringing Up Bates star Kelly Jo Bates is back with heartbreaking news for the fans. The 58-year-old is known for actively visiting some of her kids as well as Mama Jane and Papa Bill in South Carolina. However, Kelly Jo ended up getting hospitalized during her latest visit to SC, which also explains the Bates family’s sudden silence online. Keep reading to see what happened.

Bringing Up Bates: Kelly Jo Bates’ Last Social Media Appearance

Kelly Jo has been silent on social media since her last appearance with Gil on January 9. The Bringing Up Bates star shared a lengthy message about how they want their 2025 to be more about being closer to God. Kelly Jo came up with ideas about how to get closer to him, including using an application to read the Bible.

Gil & Kelly Jo Bates From Bringing Up Bates, Sourced From @thebatesfam Instagram

Since then, she hasn’t shared any updates, leaving a lot of fans worried. It even sparked rumors that Papa Bill’s condition is getting worse. But many were caught off-guard when Kelly Jo revealed that she was actually the one who was recently hospitalized.

Kelly Jo In ICU After Life-Threatening Condition

In an Instagram post, Kelly Jo Bates shared a long message talking about her recent hospitalization. According to the Bringing Up Bates star, she was in South Carolina to look after Mama Jane and Papa Bill. But she ended up suffering from extreme pain and got hospitalized. It was later discovered that she had a kidney stone, and her kidney infection had turned septic. Kelly Jo added that if she’d wait another day, she would not survive.

Kelly Jo Bates From Bringing Up Bates, Sourced From @thebatesfam Instagram

Gil’s wife revealed that she already had her first surgery by the time her kids arrived. She even thought that her kids arrived to say their goodbyes. Kelly Jo went on to say that she just had her second surgery yesterday, and she feels so blessed that she survived.

Bringing Up Bates: Kelly Jo Bates Thankful For Her Kids

Kelly Jo Bates also thanked her kids and husband for looking after her. According to the Bringing Up Bates star, Gil never left her side since he arrived. Her kids kept hugging her and preparing meals for her, especially Michaela. Kelly Jo continued, “Michael, of course, didn’t leave my side either & is going to be staying with me for a week of recovery to help cook meals (Yes, she’s an angel!)”