Jess Wright says her ‘world ended’ when she discovered her son has a life-threatening heart defect

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By EMMA GUINNESS

Published: 14:42 BST, 27 April 2025 | Updated: 14:48 BST, 27 April 2025

Jess Wright has opened up about her son’s life-threatening heart condition and said her ‘world ended’ the day it was discovered. 

The reality star, 39, became a mum for the first time back in 2022 when she and her husband, William Lee-Kemp, welcomed their son Presley, two. 

She described their son as ‘everything and more’, but the family’s happiness took a turn just last year when he was diagnosed with a rare and potentially deadly heart condition.   

Jess told The Mirror: ‘The world just stopped moving for me.’

She said the family first realised that something was wrong when Presley began to suffer the symptoms of what they thought was a standard chest infection. 

Jess Wright, 39, became a mum for the first time back in 2022 when she and her husband William Lee-Kemp welcomed their son Presley

She described the tot as ‘everything and more’, but the family’s happiness took a turn just last year when he was diagnosed with a rare and potentially deadly heart condition.

She said the family first realised that something was wrong when Presley began to suffer the symptoms of what they thought was a standard chest infection

However, further tests last year revealed that Presley will eventually need open heart surgery. 

Jess remembered: ‘They said it was likely to be nothing to worry about, and common in a lot of children, but to get it checked anyway.

‘We just sat there and you could see from the doctor’s face that he was about to tell us something really big and life-changing.

‘I just dreaded what was going to come out of his mouth, and then, lo and behold, the words “open heart surgery”came out.’

Jess said she was so traumatised by the revelation that she thought she was going to fall to the floor. 

Even now, she said that the diagnosis is something that she is struggling to come to terms with. 

Presley has a condition called Bicuspid Aortic Valve, which means that his aortic valve that controls blood flow in the body has two leaflets instead of three. 

He has an extreme form of the condition too, as those with it can typically live until their 50s without requiring surgery, but doctors have said Presley will likely need it before he is 10.

Presley has an extreme form of the condition as those with it can typically live until their 50s without requiring surgery, but doctors have said he will likely need it before he is 10

The mum praised her son for being ‘strong’ and said that for the time being, his condition is stable and he does not yet require surgery

The family are now having to contend with medical appointments every 12 weeks to ensure that Presley has the surgery as and when he needs it. 

Jess said that as Presley is so young, it is better if he has the surgery when he is older.

Otherwise, as his body grows, the replacement valve, if fitted too soon, may need replaced. 

Complications that can come from Presley’s condition include heart failure.

Jess said the family are constantly on edge whenever he shows the slightest sign of illness. 

The mum praised her son for being ‘strong’ and said that for the time being, his condition is stable and he does not yet require surgery.  

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Jess Wright says her ‘world ended’ when she discovered her son has a life-threatening heart defect

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