Shari Redstone, the chair of Paramount Global, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer earlier this spring, according to a statement provided to Reuters by Redstone’s spokesperson on Thursday.
Redstone experienced fatigue and other symptoms, prompting her to seek medical attention about two months ago. She was diagnosed with thyroid cancer the following day. Although surgeons removed her thyroid gland, some cancer cells remained as they had spread to her vocal cords, as reported by the New York Times on Thursday.
“She is continuing with all her professional and philanthropic activities while she undergoes treatment. She and her family are thankful that her prognosis is excellent,” spokeswoman Molly Morse stated.
Redstone kept her diagnosis private, sharing it with only a tight circle of relatives, close friends, and advisers including David Ellison, the Skydance head and tech heir, whose company is set to purchase Paramount and the Redstone family’s stake, NYT added.
The diagnosis comes against the backdrop of Paramount preparing for an $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media, which still requires U.S. FCC approval. The company also entered mediation to try and settle a lawsuit by U.S. President Donald Trump against CBS, reportedly offering $15 million to settle.
