Beloved Australian baking star Anna Polyviou, famed for her vibrant pink hair and energetic TV appearances, has revealed she secretly fought a life-threatening health battle for the past year.
A Mysterious and Debilitating Illness
The celebrity pastry chef, a regular on shows like MasterChef Australia and Dessert Masters, first noticed alarming symptoms in December 2024. For six weeks, she endured intense pain at the back of her skull, so severe she couldn't rest her head on a pillow. "I was a bit delirious from lack of sleep for weeks," Anna told the Daily Mail, explaining she was taking numerous painkillers daily with no relief.
Initial visits to her GP and a physiotherapist provided no clear answers. Blood tests showed slightly elevated white cells, and a mechanical issue from poor posture was suggested. It was only on a friend's advice to see a holistic practitioner that an examination of her skull was first recommended.
The situation reached a critical point when Anna woke one day to find her tongue had stopped working. She could no longer eat, speak, or properly swallow water. Although the skull pain vanished, this frightening new symptom forced her to finally seek urgent medical care.
Hospitalisation and a Rare Diagnosis
Rushed to emergency, Anna was stunned when alarms sounded and medical staff initially suspected a stroke. Over several days in hospital, she underwent a battery of tests including CT, MRI, and PET scans while being fed via a drip. Doctors explored serious possibilities like stroke and cancer before, after a week of uncertainty, landing on a final diagnosis: osteomyelitis.
This is a rare and serious bone infection, and Anna's case was exceptionally unusual. "The doctors said to me they'd seen two cases ever - and I'm one of them," she revealed. The infection was located in the bone marrow at the back of her skull, a highly uncommon site with no apparent traumatic cause. Anna recalled squeezing a pimple-like lump on her neck previously, which may have been the entry point for the bacteria.
Had she delayed treatment any longer, her condition could have been fatal. She spent 16 days in hospital before being discharged just before Christmas with a strict treatment plan.
Recovery and a New Perspective
Anna's recovery was gruelling. For three months, she took nine strong pills daily, which left her fatigued, restricted her from driving or flying, and even turned her teeth grey. She had to cut out alcohol and coffee, limit sugar, and avoid stress—a significant shift for the perpetually busy chef.
The experience forced her to slow down, something she now calls a "blessing" in disguise. After years of a non-stop schedule, she embraced the downtime, escaping to Port Macquarie with loved ones. "It just slowed me right down. Yes, it was terrifying, but it was a blessing as well," she reflected.
It took a total of three months of intensive treatment and a further nine months for doctors to give her the all-clear. Now back at work, Anna is more selective with projects and has learned to recognise her limits, though she jokes her 2026 diary is already filling up.
After keeping her ordeal private from fans, Anna recently shared her story on Instagram, receiving an outpouring of support. She hopes her experience serves as a vital case study, reminding people that celebrities are not "superheroes" and that health must come first.
Her final message is clear: "Don't ignore what's going on and never say you're too busy for a health check." She urges everyone to be persistent in seeking answers if something feels wrong and to always listen to their body.
