Daisy Ridley has Graves’ disease, an autoimmune condition that makes the thyroid overactive. The Star Wars actor revealed in an August 2024 Women’s Health interview that she was diagnosed in 2023 after a racing heart rate, weight loss and fatigue. She manages it with daily medication and lifestyle changes, including cutting down on gluten.
Ridley, best known as Rey in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, first thought she was simply worn out from a stressful film role. Below is what she shared, what Graves’ disease is according to the US National Institutes of Health, and what she has worked on since.
Quick facts
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who | Daisy Ridley, British actor, born 10 April 1992 in London |
| Condition | Graves’ disease, an autoimmune cause of hyperthyroidism |
| Diagnosed | 2023 |
| Made public | Women’s Health interview, August 2024 |
| Symptoms she described | Racing heart, hot flushes, weight loss, fatigue |
| Management | Daily medication, diet changes, cryotherapy, acupuncture |
What Daisy Ridley said about her Graves’ disease
Ridley’s symptoms began after she finished filming the thriller Magpie, which she also produced and co-wrote the story for. She felt unwell, with hot flushes, weight loss and constant tiredness, and assumed it was the after-effect of playing an emotionally draining part.
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Tests later showed Graves’ disease, and she was formally diagnosed in 2023. In the interview, she said the news brought a sense of grief and sadness, followed by irritation, and that she had not realised how bad she had been feeling until she started treatment.
How she manages it
Ridley said she takes medication every day. She has also added cryotherapy and acupuncture to her wellness routine. These are her personal choices, not medical recommendations.
She has followed a mostly gluten-free diet since the diagnosis to help with inflammation. She has said she is not strict about it, but feels better when she cuts down on gluten.
Not her first health disclosure
This was not the first time Ridley spoke openly about her health. In 2016, she revealed that she had been diagnosed with endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) at 15 and had undergone several surgeries.
What is Graves’ disease?
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the US National Institutes of Health, Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid. The immune system makes an antibody that pushes the thyroid to produce more hormone than the body needs, which speeds up many body functions.
The NIDDK says it is more common in women and in people over 30, and the risk is higher in those with a family history of thyroid disease or other autoimmune conditions.
Common symptoms
- Weight loss despite a normal or increased appetite
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Nervousness, irritability and trouble sleeping
- Fatigue, shaky hands and muscle weakness
- Feeling hot and sweating more than usual
- An enlarged thyroid, called a goitre
- Eye problems such as bulging, gritty or puffy eyes, seen in more than 1 in 3 people with the condition
How it is diagnosed and treated
Doctors usually start with blood tests for thyroid hormone levels and the antibody linked to Graves’ disease, and may order a radioactive iodine uptake test, a thyroid scan or an ultrasound.
The NIDDK lists three main treatments: antithyroid medicines, radioiodine therapy and, less often, thyroid surgery. Beta-blockers may be used to ease symptoms such as a racing heart. If left untreated, Graves’ disease can lead to heart problems, weak bones and fertility problems. This is general information only; anyone with these symptoms should consult a doctor for personal advice.
Eye problems and smoking
The NIDDK notes that Graves’ eye disease is usually mild and can be eased with eye drops, sunglasses and keeping the head raised while sleeping. Severe cases may need steroids or surgery. Smoking makes eye symptoms worse, so doctors strongly advise patients to quit. Nicotine use is also listed as a risk factor for the disease itself.
Other well-known people with Graves’ disease
Ridley joins several public figures who have spoken about the condition, including rapper Missy Elliott, talk show host Wendy Williams and former US President George H. W. Bush.
Daisy Ridley’s work since the diagnosis
Ridley has kept working steadily. In 2024 she played swimmer Gertrude Ederle in Disney’s Young Woman and the Sea, which she also executive produced, alongside Magpie.
Her 2025 projects include Cleaner and We Bury the Dead. Ebenezer, in which she plays Emily Cratchit and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, is listed for 2026. At Star Wars Celebration in April 2023, Lucasfilm announced she would return as Rey in a film directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.
Read more celebrity news in our Buzz section and health explainers in our health section.
Further reading: Missy Elliott, Wendy Williams.
Frequently asked questions
What disease does Daisy Ridley have?
Daisy Ridley has Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder that causes an overactive thyroid. She was diagnosed in 2023 and spoke about it in August 2024.
What were Daisy Ridley’s symptoms?
She described a racing heart rate, hot flushes, weight loss and fatigue, which began after she finished filming Magpie.
Is Graves’ disease curable?
It can be treated and controlled with medicines, radioiodine therapy or surgery. Antithyroid medicines are not a permanent cure, so a doctor decides the best long-term plan.
Is Daisy Ridley returning as Rey?
Lucasfilm announced in April 2023 that Ridley will return as Rey in a Star Wars film directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.
Sources: NIDDK: Graves’ disease, Wikipedia: Daisy Ridley, Women’s Health.
