The children, niece and sister of celebrity blogger Perez Hilton fled his Miami home as he suffered what his family has described as a "severe mental health crisis" during a distressing live-streamed incident on Tuesday night local time. Fans watching the 48-year-old — whose real name is Mario Armando Lavandeira — contacted emergency services after he appeared to self-harm during the broadcast from his Florida home.
WARNING: This article contains distressing content.
Family Reveals Children Escaped the Home
In a statement issued on Thursday, Hilton's family confirmed that his three children, a niece and his sister were all present inside the home when the situation began to deteriorate.
"When it became clear that Perez was experiencing a severe mental health crisis and harming himself, they immediately fled to protect the children from witnessing any further trauma," the family said.
The family described the days following the incident as "nearly unbearable", adding that their highest priority is allowing his children the time and space to "heal from what they experienced". They also called on media, paparazzi and the public to stay away from the area around his home, urging people to give his children "the privacy and space they need during this unimaginably difficult time".
Later on Tuesday night, images of an ambulance leaving the property circulated widely online. Police subsequently confirmed Hilton had been transported "to a local hospital, where he is receiving medical attention".
Earlier Family Statement Expressed Hope Amid Uncertainty
A statement released by the family on Wednesday had already acknowledged the groundswell of public support. The family thanked everyone who had reached out with "prayers, kind messages, and support", saying the compassion shown had "meant more than words can express".
However, that earlier statement also noted the family had been left largely in the dark. "This has been incredibly difficult and emotional for us, made even harder because very little information has been made available to our family," they said. "While we continue to wait for further updates, we remain hopeful."
A Year of Serious Health Struggles for Perez Hilton
Tuesday's incident is the latest in a string of serious health challenges for the blogger, who shot to fame in the early 2000s with his notorious celebrity gossip website before going on to write four books and appear in two off-Broadway musicals.
Earlier in 2026, Hilton revealed he had spent several weeks in hospital after developing severe sepsis stemming from an ulcer. He was then hospitalised a second time after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his leg, requiring surgery to remove a blood clot.
The cumulative toll of these health episodes has placed considerable strain on both Hilton and those close to him, with his family's latest statement underscoring just how difficult recent months have been. Supporting children through traumatic events is an area of growing focus in mental health services — for more on that topic, see our coverage of mental health services supporting families in crisis.
What Happens Next
As of the time of writing, Hilton remains under medical supervision. His family has not provided a specific update on his condition beyond confirming he is receiving care. The focus for those closest to him appears firmly fixed on the wellbeing of his children, with the family requesting the public respect their need for privacy as they process what occurred.
If you or someone you know needs help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For further information about depression, contact Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636, or speak with your GP, a local health professional, or someone you trust.
