Maria Menounos Expresses Profound Gratitude For Motherhood Amid Array Of Health Issues

Motherhood could not be more perfect for American TV presenter Maria Menounos, and she is extremely thankful for every moment spent with her daughter Athena.

Menounos, diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and diabetes, welcomed the tot with her husband of six years, Kevin Undergaro, two months ago via surrogacy.

Even with her medical problems, having Athena is everything the 45-year-old hoped for, and she did not hesitate to voice her gratitude on social media to God, the saints, and her fans.

Menounos was in a joyful mood as she took to her Instagram to give thanks for being a mother and getting through her struggle with cancer and diabetes.

Using a lengthy message on her Instagram updating her followers about her journey, she began, "Hi friends! Motherhood is going great. Athena is an Angel. She's currently asleep on me as we get some morning light. I'm so in love. It's crazy."

The "Extra" host continued, "Thank you to all of you for the love. I look back at the last 6 years-it's been kinda crazy." Elaborating on what she meant by "crazy," she revealed that she and her mother had a brain tumor, prompting them to undergo surgery.

However, after two surgeries, her parents were hospitalized with COVID, which resulted in her mom's death.  Unfortunately, Menounos was later diagnosed with "type one diabetes, then a Neuroendocrine tumor on my pancreas," which she endured alongside "some other crazy stuff in between." 

She explained that her husband believed she needed to "sit back and acknowledge" everything that has happened in her life, leading her to share the gratitude post.

In conclusion, the former "E! News" presenter expressed appreciation, writing, "Right now just that list makes me so grateful to be alive and to have thrived. To be here to enjoy this beautiful little girl. Thank you god! Thank you st Nectarios and Panagia. I pray all of it is behind us and only great days ahead!"

Attached to the heartfelt note was a photo of Menounos carrying a sleeping Athena who backed the camera. The overjoyed mother wore a gray T-shirt with "Mother" printed across her chest while her child was dressed in a yellow and white patterned onesie.

Numerous fans were taken with the "Today" star's candidness as they headed to the comments to shower her with accolades. A comment read, "You are a warrior!!! You are killing the game of life ??" followed by another: "Your strength and resiliency is everything ❤️." 

Another commenter declared, "Congratulations ? on your thriving and this beautiful journey of motherhood ♥ ️" while one more proclaimed, "That is one lucky little angel to have you and Kevin as parents!! Beyond thrilled for you both. ❤️❤️❤️.”

"God bless you and your family!" a fellow supporter exclaimed. "You are already a hero after everything you've been through!! You are holding an angel, a gift from God!❤️❤️❤️❤️." A sixth fan added, "So happy to see you radiant & glowing. You have a beautiful soul. I wish you happy sunrises & sunsets forever. Keep smiling, Maria??."

Less than a month following the birth of Athena, Menounos and her spouse opened up about how they felt holding their child for the first time. She described it as the "most special moment" of her life and recalled how she and Undergaro kept looking at each other, feeling only "pure joy." 

The WWE ambassador further revealed that after her first surrogacy failed, she was crestfallen but had the support of the best people in her life, including Kim Kardashian. Gushing more about her delight in mothering her daughter, she professed, "Athena is our miracle baby – I'm so grateful for her."

Earlier this year, after Menounos announced she and her husband were expecting their only child, she shared her belief that they would have twins. On her podcast "Heal Squad," she clarified that she implanted two embryos, triggering their expectation for two babies.

The brilliant journalist was convinced it would work, but that sadly did not happen, as she and Undergaro eventually found out via Zoom that they were expecting only one infant.

Menounos recalled the surrogate updating the couple that the "baby" was doing great, making them painfully realize they would have just one child, given her use of the singular word.