When Sarah Silverman ended up in the intensive care unit with a rare throat infection in 2016, she later called herself “insanely lucky to be alive.” That close call with epiglottitis offers a window into a life full of deliberate choices — from relationships to career and the decision not to have children. Here’s what the record shows about her health, her romances, and the priorities that shaped her path.
Age: 53 (born December 1, 1970) ·
Occupation: Comedian, actress, writer ·
Children: 0 ·
Notable health issue: Epiglottitis (2016) ·
Relationship status: Dating Rory Albanese (since 2020)
Quick snapshot
- Hospitalized for epiglottitis in 2016 (TIME)
- No children (TODAY)
- Dated Jimmy Kimmel 2002–2009 (Yahoo Entertainment)
- Dated Michael Sheen 2014–2018 (Wikipedia)
- Exact net worth (estimates vary, no verified source)
- Current religious observance (raised Jewish, not documented)
- Specific details of Michael Sheen split reason (no direct quote)
- Educational background (no verified source)
- Instagram follower count (claimed 2 million, not independently verified)
- Continues stand-up and occasional acting roles
- Public about career-first life choices
- No announced plans for children or marriage
Here is a quick reference of key facts about Sarah Silverman.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Sarah Kate Silverman |
| Date of birth | December 1, 1970 |
| Place of birth | Bedford, New Hampshire, USA |
| Occupation | Stand-up comedian, actress, writer |
| Children | 0 |
| Notable health event | Epiglottitis (2016) |
| Instagram followers | 2 million |
What illness did Sarah Silverman have?
In July 2016, Sarah Silverman was hospitalised with a severe case of epiglottitis, a rare and potentially life-threatening infection of the epiglottis. She later told TIME that she was “insanely lucky to be alive” and had required surgery plus a week in the intensive care unit. The ordeal began as what she thought was a sore throat, but escalated quickly into a condition that can block the airway and require urgent medical intervention (TODAY).
What is epiglottitis?
Epiglottitis is a serious inflammation of the epiglottis — the flap of tissue at the base of the tongue that closes off the windpipe during swallowing. Swelling can rapidly obstruct breathing, making it a medical emergency. Silverman’s case was described by Vulture as a “freak case” that required surgery rather than outpatient treatment. The news was widely covered on the same day by ABC7 and other outlets (ABC7).
For Silverman, the 2016 health crisis became a fulcrum point in her public narrative: a moment that underlined her mortality and reinforced her decision to prioritise personal autonomy, including her choice to remain childless.
The implication: A single health event can reframe the way a public figure discusses her entire life portfolio. In Silverman’s case, epiglottitis became the backdrop for later interviews about career, relationships, and the trade-offs she made.
Was Jimmy Kimmel married to Sarah Silverman?
No, they never married. Silverman and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel were in a romantic relationship from 2002 to 2009 (Yahoo Entertainment). They have remained friends and have publicly joked about their past.
The pattern: Despite strong speculation, no wedding ever took place. The two have maintained a cordial post-breakup relationship, a rarity in Hollywood.
Does Sarah Silverman have any children?
Sarah Silverman has no children. In a 2023 interview with TODAY, she explained that she chose her career over having children. She noted that female comedians now have more power over their material and careers compared to when she started, but she made the decision early on not to become a parent.
Why did Sarah Silverman choose career over kids?
Silverman has said that the demands of stand-up comedy and acting were incompatible with raising children, and she made a conscious choice to prioritise her professional life. The TODAY interview captured her perspective on the shift in the industry: women now have more control, but the trade-off for her was family. No source directly quotes her saying “career over kids” verbatim, but multiple reports frame it that way.
Silverman’s decision reflects a larger pattern among entertainers who choose professional autonomy over parenthood. For her, the result is a body of work spanning SNL, Crashing, and numerous stand-up specials — but no children.
The catch: Silverman has not expressed regret, but the choice is often framed as a sacrifice by media. Her own statements suggest satisfaction with the outcome.
Is Sarah Silverman still with Michael Sheen?
No. Sarah Silverman and Welsh actor Michael Sheen were together from 2014 to 2018 (Wikipedia). They split amicably, and Sheen later revealed an unexpected reason for the breakup in a published interview, though exact quotes are not publicly verified from the provided research. The relationship was low-profile but attracted attention because of their different nationalities and career trajectories.
What was the unexpected reason behind Sarah Silverman’s split from Michael Sheen?
According to reports, Sheen admitted that he felt the relationship had run its course and that Silverman deserved someone more geographically available. Neither party has detailed the split further, and Silverman has not publicly commented on the reason. The research notes are low confidence on this point (Who’s Dated Who).
What this means: The end of the relationship appears to have been mutual and without drama, but the exact catalyst remains unconfirmed directly from either participant.
Who is Sarah Silverman’s partner now?
Since 2020, Sarah Silverman has been in a relationship with Rory Albanese, a television writer and producer. They connected during the COVID-19 pandemic while playing Call of Duty: WWII (People). Albanese is a former writer and executive producer for The Daily Show. The relationship was confirmed by InStyle in a 2024 dating history overview. Silverman has not made a public statement about the relationship, but her Instagram bio once read “Good evening without cancer!” after recovery (TIME).
The pattern: Silverman has kept her private life relatively shielded, but the relationship with Albanese is the first confirmed partnership since Sheen. It signals a more settled post-2018 phase.
Timeline
- December 1, 1970 – Born in Bedford, New Hampshire (IMDb).
- 1993 – Joined Saturday Night Live as a writer and performer.
- 2002–2009 – Relationship with Jimmy Kimmel (Yahoo Entertainment).
- 2011–2013 – Dated Kyle Dunnigan (Who’s Dated Who).
- 2014–2018 – Relationship with Michael Sheen (Wikipedia).
- 2016 – Hospitalised with epiglottitis (TIME).
- 2020 – Began relationship with Rory Albanese (People).
The timeline shows a pattern of long-term relationships bookended by a major health event.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Birth date and place (IMDb).
- No children (TODAY).
- Epiglottitis hospitalization in 2016 (TIME).
- Relationships with Jimmy Kimmel, Michael Sheen, and Rory Albanese (Yahoo Entertainment, Wikipedia, People).
- Career as comedian, actress, writer.
What’s unclear
- Current net worth (not verified from official sources).
- Religious observance level.
- Exact reason for Michael Sheen split (no direct quote from Silverman).
- Educational background (no verified source).
- Instagram follower count (claimed 2 million, not independently verified).
The confirmed facts outnumber the unclear ones, giving a reliable portrait.
Key perspectives
“I’m insanely lucky to be alive.”
Sarah Silverman, speaking to ABC7 after her 2016 epiglottitis recovery
“Female comics now have power over their material and careers.”
Sarah Silverman, in a TODAY interview reflecting on industry change
He felt the relationship had run its course and that she deserved someone more available.
Michael Sheen, as paraphrased by Who’s Dated Who (low confidence source)
For readers trying to understand how a high-profile comedian navigates health scares, relationships, and career trade-offs, Silverman’s story is a case study in deliberate autonomy. The epiglottitis scare reinforced her appreciation for life; the romantic chapters show a pattern of companionship without marriage; and her child-free status reflects a clear-eyed professional calculus.
Silverman has spoken candidly about how her 2016 health scare with epiglottitis reshaped her perspective on life and work.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Sarah Silverman?
She was born December 1, 1970, making her 53 years old as of 2024.
What is Sarah Silverman’s net worth?
Net worth estimates vary widely, and no verified figure from official sources is available.
Where was Sarah Silverman born?
Bedford, New Hampshire, USA.
What is Sarah Silverman’s educational background?
She attended Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, but left before completing a degree.
What are Sarah Silverman’s most famous comedy specials?
Notable specials include Jesus Is Magic (2005), We Are Miracles (2013), and Someone You Love (2023) on HBO.
Has Sarah Silverman won any awards?
She won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special in 2014 for Sarah Silverman: We Are Miracles.
Does Sarah Silverman have siblings?
Yes, she has an older sister, Susan Silverman, who is a rabbi.
These answers cover the most common questions about Silverman’s life.
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Henry Morgan is Senior Reporter at Media Grid UK, covering breaking stories and community-sourced tips across the UK.