Michaele Salahi Has Multiple Sclerosis

Michaele Salahi — the “Real Housewife of Washington” who first commanded public notice last November, when she joined her husband in crashing a glitzy State Dinner at The White House — claims she suffers from multiple sclerosis, a potentially-debilitating disease she’s kept secret for nearly 20 years.

The controversial reality star makes the explosive claim in a new tell-all book about Tareq and Michaele Salahi’s infamous infiltration of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The tome penned by Diane Diamond is titled Cirque du Salahi, a play on the name of the Montreal-based stage show Cirque du Soleil, the “Circus of the Sun,” and hit shelves on Wednesday.

The Washington socialite, 44, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when she was 28, according to the book. Her symptoms include tingling sensations and exhaustion, and are exacerbated by stressful situations.
Michaele — who famously sparred with Oscar winner Whoopi Goldberg during an appearance on The View last month — says a bad spell the night of The White House Dinner caused the couple to leave the event early.In addition, the waify alleged former NFL cheerleader also blames MS for her rail-thin physique and rejects suggestions by her Real Housewives of DC co-stars that she suffers from an eating disorder. Despite this claim, weight loss is not a typical symptom of MS, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

“This is the first time I’ve said it publicly … It’s something I kept personal,” Salahi told FOX & Friends Wednesday. “I think a lot of people do with chronic illnesses or any type of disease, whether it’s heart [disease] or whatever you deal with, you know, breast cancer, so for me, I kept it personal because I never wanted to be judged, never wanted to have pity, and I certainly wanted to hold on to my job.”