Abby Lee Miller, the renowned dance instructor and former star of Dance Moms, has been using a wheelchair for several years. Recently, she has opened up about her belief regarding the cause of her mobility issues, linking it back to her time in prison. This article delves into Abby Lee Miller’s health journey, exploring the reasons behind her wheelchair use and the events that she believes contributed to her condition.
Abby Lee Miller’s Claim About Prison and Medication
During a candid conversation on Bethenny Frankel’s Just B podcast in May 2024, Abby Lee Miller, aged 58, discussed her 2016 incarceration for bankruptcy fraud. While acknowledging her wrongdoing, Miller described the investigation into her finances as a “witch hunt.” She further alleged that the presiding judge had a bias due to his wife being a Dance Moms fan, suggesting this influenced his rulings against her.
Miller stated that despite filing for bankruptcy before Dance Moms aired, the perception of her wealth from television work persisted, impacting her case. She then made a significant claim, asserting, “Oh, that’s why I’m in a wheelchair, because in prison I was punished and taken off all my medication, cold turkey.” This statement directly links her current reliance on a wheelchair to her experience in prison, specifically the abrupt cessation of her medications.
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Abby Lee Miller attends a Netflix special screening event in April 2024, showcasing her ongoing public appearances.
The Bankruptcy Fraud Case and Allegations
Abby Lee Miller’s legal troubles began in October 2015 when she was charged with attempting to conceal $775,000 of income earned from Dance Moms, its spin-off Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition, and other ventures during bankruptcy proceedings. The accusations included hiding funds in secret bank accounts between 2012 and 2013. By June 2016, she pleaded guilty to bankruptcy fraud.
Adding to the charges, Miller was also accused of illegally transporting $120,000 in Australian currency into the U.S. in August 2014. She allegedly divided the money into plastic bags and asked friends to carry it in their luggage to evade reporting requirements for amounts exceeding $10,000. As part of her plea agreement, she agreed to forfeit this sum.
On the podcast, Miller implicated Melissa Gisoni, mother of Dance Moms stars Maddie and Mackenzie Ziegler, in the decision to handle the Australian tour earnings in this manner. She claimed Gisoni was responsible for managing the finances and devised the plan to distribute the money in smaller amounts to avoid declaration. Miller emphasized her financial obligations at the time, stating, “Why, in God’s name? I was paying $650,000.” (Melissa Gisoni was never charged and has not publicly commented on these allegations.)
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Maddie and Mackenzie Ziegler, accompanied by their mother Melissa Gisoni, pictured at a Los Angeles premiere, highlighting their family’s involvement in Dance Moms.
Prison Experience and Health Deterioration
In May 2017, Abby Lee Miller was sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, along with fines and other requirements. She began her prison sentence in July 2017.
While incarcerated, Miller shared updates with her fans via social media, acknowledging her mistakes and expressing remorse. In a January 2018 Instagram post, she wrote about her prison experience, stating she had “made friends with both inmates and staff” and was “a better person for this experience.” However, this positive outlook was soon overshadowed by serious health issues.
In April 2018, during her prison term, Miller underwent emergency surgery initially believed to be for a spinal infection. Tragically, the diagnosis was far more severe: Burkitt lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. This marked the beginning of a challenging health battle that significantly impacted her mobility.
Cancer Diagnosis and Recovery
Following her Burkitt lymphoma diagnosis, Abby Lee Miller received extensive treatment, including ten rounds of chemotherapy and months of rehabilitation. This intensive medical intervention was crucial in her fight against cancer and subsequent recovery.
In 2019, Miller shared the positive news that she was cancer-free. Despite this victory, the health complications from her cancer battle and potentially exacerbated by her prison experience, have resulted in her continued use of a wheelchair. She has expressed hope for regaining her ability to walk, stating in 2019, “I feel like I have more to do.”
Abby Lee Miller’s journey to wheelchair use is complex, involving legal troubles, prison time, and a serious cancer diagnosis. While she directly attributes her condition to the abrupt withdrawal of medication in prison, the full picture encompasses a series of unfortunate events that have significantly impacted her health and mobility. Her story continues to unfold as she navigates life post-cancer and with ongoing physical challenges.
