Jessica Mattera has lived a life marked by health struggles and personal tragedies, but through it all, the bond with her sister Justine Mattera has remained strong. Recently, both sisters appeared on the television show Verissimo, hosted by Silvia Toffanin, to openly share their complicated yet inspiring story.
Born in 1973, Jessica developed health issues from a young age. At just 11 years old, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, which necessitated extensive treatment and left her with lasting effects. Agreeing to share her experiences on Verissimo, Justine, who has been celebrated as an actress and showgirl, recalled, "Jessica has always been the strongest person I know. When we went through those dark days, it was her resilience I admired the most."
After overcoming Hodgkin's lymphoma, Jessica faced another health crisis at the age of 28 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Luckily, she was able to defeat this challenge as well. With trials and tribulations, life did not become easier for Jessica after her recovery; unfortunately, tragedy struck again when her husband died unexpectedly in a car accident. This loss prompted Jessica to leave New York City, seeking solace and support from her family in North Carolina, especially her parents.
Though Jessica initially sought distance from the spotlight to focus on her family, health challenges loomed as shadows of uncertainty. On November 6, 2023, Jessica suffered from what, at first, seemed manageable but quickly escalated to life-threatening circumstances when she had a heart attack. "It got so bad, they even called the priest for last rites," Justine recounted through tears. Following her heart attack, complications arose linked to the long-term effects of her childhood cancer treatment and necessitated immediate medical intervention.
Justine stepped up for her sister, putting aside past disagreements to be by Jessica’s side as she required immediate care. Despite some distance prior to the heart attack, Justine felt compelled to reach out. "When I returned to the U.S., she told me she heard my voice, and it gave her strength to keep fighting," Justine revealed, showcasing the emotional depth of their relationship.
After enduring surgery and receiving a heart transplant, Jessica showed incredible progress over the following months. Aware of the strength of her recovery, she is now engaged again with her passion for fitness and has even resumed training to run. Reflecting on her time faced away from the public, Jessica stated from her recuperation room, "The stitches are healing—you can now find me back at the gym!"
Rekindling the sisterly bond, the two sisters rekindled their relationship and held each other closer than ever after participating on the same platform during their appearance on Verissimo. "We had our tides of struggles, but we faced them as sisters can," Jessica added. Justine affirmed, "Our family has always been through tough times, but losing my sister wasn’t something I could bear. I'm grateful she made it through. Our hugs speak volumes about our love.
Things were bound for improvement following the turbulence they faced, Jessica disclosed more than once about how grateful she felt to have Justine by her side. Their experiences are now closely tied as part of their family portrait, intertwining grief with moments of delight. The sisters are each other's support beams, highlighting the power of familial ties when faced with adversity.
With all of Jessica's health history being shared on national television, she hopes to inspire others battling similar conditions. "If I can face every hurdle and see my kids grow, anyone can,' she told viewers, showing off her indomitable spirit. This speaks volumes about both Jessica and Justine Mattera’s messages of resilience and hope, leaving audiences inspired as they conclude their segment on Verissimo.
Today, Justine Mattera not only relishes her reunion with Jessica but also embraces her role as her sister's advocate, cheering her on through every step of her recovery process. The bond between the two sisters serves as heartfelt solid proof of the love and support families offer one another—and how, together, they can overcome the most trying of times.