Geraldo Rivera is a well-known journalist, author, and television personality who has contributed to different media outlets such as ABC, NBC, and Fox News. He is also a former attorney and a political commentator who has covered many controversial topics and events.
However, behind his successful career and charismatic appearance, Rivera has been dealing with a health problem that has affected his mobility and quality of life. He has been witnessed using a cane to walk and has undergone several surgeries to treat his condition.
Let’s explore what disease does Geraldo Rivera have and how he is doing now.
Who Is Geraldo Rivera?

He was born in New York City on July 4, 1943. He is the son of a Puerto Rican father and a Russian-Jewish mother. He grew up in Brooklyn and attended the State University of New York Maritime College.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Arizona State University and a law degree from Brooklyn Law School. He worked as an attorney for Puerto Rican activists in New York and became involved in journalism after appearing in television interviews.
He reached WABC-TV in New York as a reporter and won a Peabody Award for his investigation of the abuse of patients at Willowbrook State School, a mental institution. He later worked for ABC News on shows such as Good Morning America and 20/20.
He left ABC News in 1985 after a dispute over a story on the relationship between John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe. He then produced a live syndicated special, The Mystery of Al Capone’s Vault, which turned out to be a disappointment as the vault was empty.
He started his own talk show, Geraldo, in 1987, which became notorious for its sensationalism and violence. He also produced a special on Satanism that sparked a moral panic and false accusations of child abuse.
He joined NBC News in 1994 and worked as a correspondent and host for shows such as Dateline NBC and Rivera Live. He also covered the O.J. Simpson trial and the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
He moved to Fox News Channel in 2001 and became a war correspondent during the Iraq War. He also hosted his show, Geraldo at Large, and regularly appeared on The Five and other programs.
He published several books, including Exposing Myself (1991), The Great Progression: How Hispanics Will Lead America to a New Era of Prosperity (2009), and The Geraldo Show: A Memoir (2018).
He has been married to Erica Levy, his fifth wife, since 2003. He is a father to five kids from his past unions: Gabriel Miguel (born 1979), Isabella Holmes (born 1992), Simone Cruickshank (born 1994), Cruz Grant (born 1987), and Sol Liliana (born 2005).
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How Did Geraldo Rivera Suffer From Foot Pain?
Geraldo Rivera’s foot pain began in 2010 when he was 67 years old. He woke up one night feeling like someone was stabbing his right foot with knives. He tried to use painkillers and ice packs to ease the pain, but they only provided temporary relief.
He visited several doctors, but none of them could diagnose his condition or offer him any effective treatment. One doctor even told him that he was being too emotional and suggested that he see a psychiatrist.
He suffered from chronic foot pain for three years without any diagnosis or cure. He often experienced numbness and tingling in his foot as well. He had trouble walking and working due to the constant agony.
He became desperate and hopeless as he searched for answers online. He discovered that many people with similar symptoms had nerve damage or degenerative diseases that had no cure.
He even contemplated ending his own life as well. He told his wife that he could not live like this and wished he could just go to sleep and never wake up.
What Diagnosis And Treatment Did Geraldo Rivera Receive?

Geraldo Rivera’s diagnosis came after three years of suffering when he finally found a foot specialist to help him. His name was Dr. Rock Positano, and he worked at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.
He diagnosed him with tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS), a condition where the tibial nerve that runs through the ankle is compressed or pinched by surrounding tissues. It causes pain, numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in the foot.
Dr. Positano prescribed him various medications such as anti-inflammatories, steroids, nerve blockers, and opioids to help reduce the inflammation and pain in his foot. He also advised him to use orthotics, braces, splints or casts to support his foot and prevent further damage.
He told him that TTS is a chronic condition with no cure but can be managed properly. He also told him there was an option for surgery if the medications did not work well enough.
Geraldo Rivera followed Dr. Positano’s treatment plan faithfully and noticed an improvement in his foot pain within weeks. He was able to walk without using a cane or limping.
He decided to undergo surgery in December 2013 before launching his new show Geraldo at Large. The surgery, called tarsal tunnel release (TTR), involved making an incision behind the ankle and cutting the ligament that compresses the nerve.
The surgery not only relieved his pain but also restored the sensation and function in his foot. He said it gave him back his life after three years of living in hell.
How Is Geraldo Rivera Doing Now?

Thanks to Dr. Positano’s diagnosis and treatment, Geraldo Rivera is doing much better now than before. He said he still has some occasional foot discomfort, but it is manageable compared to what he had endured.
He said he is grateful for his wife’s support and love throughout his ordeal. He said she was always there for him, even when he pushed her away or said hurtful things to her because of his frustration and despair.
He said he is also thankful for his faith in God, which helped him cope with his situation. He said he prayed daily for healing and strength and trusted that God had a plan for his life.
He said he hopes that by sharing his story, he can help other people who are suffering from similar or worse conditions than his. He said he wants them to know that they are not alone and that there is hope for them.
He said that he also wants them to know that they should never give up on finding a solution for their problem and should always seek professional help when needed.
He said that he is happy with his journalism and author career and enjoys hosting his show Geraldo at Large and appearing on The Five and other programs. He said he loves interviewing guests from different backgrounds and perspectives and covering critical issues affecting people’s lives.
What Other Challenges Did Geraldo Rivera Face In His Life?

Geraldo Rivera’s foot Pain was not the only challenge that he faced in his life. He also had to overcome many obstacles and controversies in his personal and professional life.
He had to deal with racism and discrimination as a Puerto Rican and Jewish person growing up in Brooklyn. He had to cope with his father’s death when he was 15 years old. He had to endure five divorces and several lawsuits.
He had to face criticism and ridicule for his startling and provocative reporting style. He had to apologize for revealing the location of U.S. troops during the Iraq War. He found himself in a situation where he had to refute allegations of engaging in inappropriate behavior of a sexual nature.
He had to cope with the diagnosis and recovery of his brother Craig Rivera, who had prostate cancer. He had to support his son Cruz Rivera, who struggled with drug addiction and mental health issues.
He had to deal with the political polarization and division in the country as a conservative commentator. He had to confront his former friend Donald Trump over his role in inciting the January 6 Capitol riot.
Despite all these challenges, Geraldo Rivera never gave up on his passion and purpose. He always tried to find the bright side of every situation and learn from his mistakes. He always tried to be honest and fair in his journalism and opinions. He always tried to be compassionate and generous in his actions and words.
He is an example of a person who has overcome adversity and achieved success in life. He is an inspiration for anyone facing difficulties or hardships in life.
My Opinion
Geraldo Rivera is a remarkable person who has overcome many challenges in his life. He has shown courage, resilience, and perseverance in the face of adversity. He has also shown integrity, humility, and kindness in the face of criticism.
I admire him for his achievements and contributions as a journalist, author, and television personality. I respect him for his views and opinions as a political commentator. I like him for his personality and charisma as a human being.
He is a role model for anyone who wants to pursue their dreams and goals regardless of their challenges or obstacles. He is a leader for anyone who wants to make a positive difference in the world.
I hope he continues to do well in his health and career and is happy and fulfilled in his life.
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