“Without a transplant, I may not be here in 4 or 5 years”
These are some of the most exciting and significant times for Sam Vanderpump, entrepreneur, podcast host, and star of Made in Chelsea. Last year he married his fiancé, Alice. Together, they welcomed their son Marmaduke into the world in February.
Life for Sam right now, though, also involves managing a personal health battle: he's waiting for a life-saving liver transplant.
Born with congenital liver and kidney disease, Sam lived largely symptom-free until December 2024, when a bout of flu triggered sepsis.
"I thought I was going to die," says Sam. "My body was shutting down, and it was terrifying. You never think something as simple as the flu could lead to a near-death experience."
When Sam's condition worsened, Alice had to act quickly. Doctors say the ambulance she called saved his life.
"If Alice hadn't called when she did, I may not be here today," Sam says. "It's scary to think that could have been the end for me."
After intensive hospital treatment, Sam was able to return home just in time for Christmas but soon found out he would need a liver transplant.
"When something like this happens, it puts everything into perspective," he says. "I've been told by clinicians that without a transplant, I may not be here in 4 or 5 years. It would mean so much to receive a transplant. I've never been more determined to get healthy and make the most of every day."
Sam has been part of the Made in Chelsea cast since April 2024.
He became an Ambassador for NHS Blood and Transplant in 2025 and is now tirelessly using every opportunity he can to encourage people to confirm their organ donation decision.
Made in Chelsea viewers will remember the emotional scenes when he broke the news about needing a transplant to his friends on the show and he subsequently recorded a two-part documentary, Made in Chelsea: Sam Vanderpump's Story, which is available to watch on Channel 4's catch-up service.
The documentary captures the reality of Sam's life navigating his health issues, whilst also showing the joyous moments he's enjoyed with his family, with footage of his wedding and the days after Marmaduke was born.
Sam also uses his social channels for a series of regular informative and myth-busting posts about organ donation with Alice. Earlier this year he launched The Sam Vanderpump Organ Donation Challenge, encouraging people to drink a pink smoothie in nine seconds (with any unfinished smoothies to be poured over the participant's head) to highlight that each organ donor can save up to nine lives.
The challenge, which swept social media, even reached the sofas of Good Morning Britain on ITV, with hosts Susanna Reid and Ed Balls taking the smoothie challenge live on air. Susanna's failure to complete the challenge (and subsequent soaking!) made the national newspapers, helping to reach even more people.
Sam also attended an event at the Houses of Parliament in July, discussing organ donation with several influential figures.
Sam says: "My main hope is for this journey to be worth something, so if we can help in any way spread awareness and raise attention of the need to registering your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register... then I have done my job!
"I want to be here for Alice and our baby, and to enjoy our future together as a family. But you're essentially just waiting, waiting for a phone call that could come at any time.
"That's quite a strange way to live… because your whole life is kind of on pause. You try not to think about it too much, but it's always there in the background.
Right now, more than 600 people are currently waiting for a liver transplant in the UK. Over 8,000 people are waiting on the transplant waiting list.
It takes just two minutes to confirm your organ donation decision, and you could save up to nine lives.
Visit organdonation.nhs.uk or use the NHS App to confirm your organ donation decision today.