It was a long time since Jet Li was seen in action and his latest photo with a fan revealed that his health had a major downfall. The snap of Jet Li with a fan was taken on Saturday in Tibet in which the martial-art superstar smiled for the camera but look feeble, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
The fan with whom the snap was taken used one of his hands to support the arm of Li. Many fans were heartbroken to see Jet Li in such a miserable condition. One of the fans said that both Jet Li and Jackie Chan were like a God to him and seeing one of those in such condition is sad. I am really heartbroken to see Li in this situation, another fain said.
Many other fans tweeted that they can’t believe that the man in the photo was Jet Li. However, Li did not respond to any of these comments. He has not commented on his photo with the fan as well. This photo was totally different from the photos uploaded to the Instagram account of Li, a few months back. Back in December, Li uploaded a video message in which he thanked his fans and wished them holidays.
In 2013, it was revealed that Li was suffering from hyperthyroidism and the disease was diagnosed in 2010, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. At that time, Li said that he had a pain but was feeling happy. It was further reported that due to dangerous movie stunts, Li had heart problems as well as issues with his legs and spines.
While talking to the media, Li said that he was diagnosed with the disease in 2010 but he kept it under control with medicines, but now the disease had come back with the vengeance. He further said he was being treated and would be able to recover from the overactive thyroid. Jet Li revealed this while judging a talent show in China. During the taping of a show, Li was seen with much fuller face and more weight. While commenting on his weight, Li joked that he did not have enough time to lose weight. He further said that his body was fluctuating and he was doing everything possible to maintain it.
Exercise is not recommended for the type of medicine he was taking, said Li. Hyperthyroidism or overactive thyroid which causes problems for the heartbeat and metabolism is treatable with medicines. Li further said that he is tackling the disease with a full heart.
He said that he is not like Huo Yuan Jia but a regular guy just like other people. Li became the champion of martial arts in his early age and then moved to acting due to his kung fu skills back in 1980. Li showed his martial arts in many Hollywood movies like The Expendables 2, Lethal Weapon 4, and Once Upon a Time in China. Li also confessed that he is not sure how long his Hollywood career would be but he is determined to work as long as possible.
So, apparently, Jet Li is suffering from "hyperthyroidism and spinal problems" and this is him now ❤️😓: pic.twitter.com/Ss0W2EL96D
— SMDFTB (@ntyyst) May 19, 2018
A fan tweeted his photo with Jet Li.
According to a report of Hong Kong’s Apple Daily, people in China have started making a comparison of a 55-year old Li with a 20-year old Li who appeared in Expendables. Fans were shocked when they saw the online photo of aged Li with a fan. According to Li, his doctors asked him to either continue making action films or spent his whole life in the wheelchair. The serious injuries Li suffered on his legs and spines had also made Li’s movement limited. And Li himself admitted that he could not stand longer without bending.
From the last couple of years, Li has withdrawn himself from the films. Nowadays Li spends most of his time in charity. Back in 2010, Li founded a charity organization named The One Foundation which mainly focuses on the welfare of disastrous children. Recently, Li was spotted in a temple of Tibet where a fan asked for a photo. And after that, he uploaded the photo on social media which then took the internet by storm. During his visit to the temple, a group of children called Li “grandpa” due to his elderly look. Li believes that he would recover from the illness due to his religious beliefs.