Sam DeBianchi Cushing's Disease: 'MDL' Star Almost Died At An Early Age

Samantha DeBianchi nearly died as a child.

In a new interview, the Million Dollar Listing: Miami star opened up about her struggles with Cushing's disease, revealing that she almost passed away at an early age.

“I almost died at an early age,” DeBianchi told Life & Style, adding that she contracted the disease after a pituitary tumor bloated her body and caused her to develop thick facial hair. “It gave me osteoporosis and diabetes — and it was going to kill me.”

Because of her hair growth, DeBianchi was often made fun of as a child. According to the reality star, kids would circle her daily and talk about how ugly she was. However, in the long run, the hair growth was what led to DeBianchi's Cushing's disease diagnosis.

At the age of 14, DeBianchi visited her gynecologist, who noticed the odd growth and sent her to the endocrinologist, who diagnosed her with Cushing’s.

One year later, DeBianchi went to an expert at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md., where she took part in a case study and underwent two surgeries to remove a tumor near her optic nerve.

“I feel so lucky to be here today, living the life I love,” DeBianchi told Life & Style. “Now some of the people who were nasty to me back in school suddenly want to hang out. I’m friendly to them — but I don’t forget.”

Million Dollar Listing: Miami airs on Wednesday nights at 9 p.m. on Bravo.