He is delighted to spend more time with his family and specifically with his grandkids.
Oscar-winning actor Jeff Bridges disclosed his cancer diagnosis to his fans back in 2020. He had just started chemotherapy when he also contracted COVID-19 as the pandemic swept over the world. The 72-year-old’s health rapidly deteriorated because the chemotherapy had rendered his immune system useless. According to ABC News, Jeff said, “I was just really at death's door a couple of times there.” However, Bridges has recovered from his health battles and is delighted to spend more time with his family and specifically with his grandkids.
In a recent post shared on Instagram by his daughter Isabelle Bridges, he can be seen dancing with his granddaughter Grace Bridges. Isabelle has captioned the image: “Learning to dance is a big part of the Bridges family tradition.” Dancing has played a significant role in Bridges' recovery process. The thought of walking his daughter down the aisle kept him going when he was battling two life-threatening diseases in the hospital. But before his daughter's wedding, "The first goal was how long can I stand up," he recalled. "I remember the doctors saying to me, 'Jeff, you gotta fight.' I had no idea what they were talking about. I thought, 'Man, I'm in surrender mode here.'" the Tron: Legacy actor told E News.
The True Grit actor was able to take more steps and maintain his breathing while utilizing oxygen support with the help of a trainer. Bridges explained, "Finally, one day I said, 'Maybe I can do it, you know.' And it turns out I not only got to walk her down the aisle, but I got to do the wedding dance. That was terrific." Now that his health is restored, the family seems to have made dancing mandatory at all their family gatherings.
Bridges claims that the bleak combination of his illness and Covid "exacerbated all these feelings of love for my wonderful family," which includes his wife Sue, their three adult daughters, and several grandkids. Now devoting his time between selective projects and his family, Bridges said, “Sue and I were looking at each other and we went, 'How lucky are we?' I hug that girl and I get recharged. It's right there, so accessible.”
According to PEOPLE, Jeff Bridges and his wife Susan Geston met each other for the first time while Bridges was filming Rancho Deluxe (1975) and she was working as a waitress and it was love at first sight for them. Now the family man ensures that he keeps his health in check and prioritizes his family.
References:
https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/jeff-bridges-reflects-fight-cancer-covid-19/story?id=89974978
Cover Image Source: Isabelle Bridges Boesch / Instagram