‘RHOM’ Guerdy Abraira shares update on Martina Navratilova post-cancer diagnosis

Reality TV

“Real Housewives of Miami” star Guerdy Abraira is happy to report that Martina Navratilova is “doing great” one month after the tennis legend revealed her cancer diagnosis. 

“It’s looking very, very positive,” Abraira, 45, says on Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea” podcast.

“And it’s on the preventative side, when they found out, it’s early. And we [pray] and that’s it. We’re keeping our head down and [hoping] for the best for her.”

The esteemed event planner — who appears on “RHOM” alongside Navratilova’s wife, Julia Lemigova — notes that the ladies are staying positive despite the health scare. 

“I spoke to [Lemigova] as soon as it happened. We were supposed to get together for my birthday, but obviously she had to take care of some things medically for Martina,” she says.

“They’re in great spirits, that’s the good news.”

Guerdy Abraira doing an interview with Page Six
Guerdy Abraira appears on Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea” podcast.

Guerdy Abraira doing an interview with Page Six
Guerdy Abraira appears on Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea” podcast.


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Navratilova announced on Jan. 2 that she is battling both throat cancer and breast cancer. She began treatment shortly after. 

“This double whammy is serious but still fixable, and I’m hoping for a favorable outcome,” the 18-time Grand Slam singles champion said in a statement to the Women’s Tennis Association. “It’s going to stink for a while, but I’ll fight with all I have got.”

That same day, Lemigova, 50, shared a touching Instagram post, expressing gratitude to those keeping Navratilova in their thoughts as she fights the disease. 

Martina Navratilova photographed at an event
The “Real Housewives of Miami” star shares a “positive” update on Martina Navratilova after the tennis legend’s cancer diagnosis.

Martina Navratilova speaking at an event
The “Real Housewives of Miami” star shares a “positive” update on Martina Navratilova after the tennis legend’s cancer diagnosis.


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“Thank you to everyone who has reached out to share words of support,” the model wrote via Instagram, accompanied by photo of herself and the retired athlete, 66, with their dog.

“Together, we will fight this ♥️,” she added.

Navratilova explained that she first noticed an enlarged lymph node in her neck while attending the 2022 WTA Finals in Fort Worth, Texas, in November. A subsequent biopsy showed stage 1 throat cancer, and further testing led to the discovery of stage 1 breast cancer.

Julia Lemigova and Martina Navratilova playing a game on "Watch What Happens Live"
Navratilova is married to Abraira’s “RHOM” castmate Julia Lemigova.

Julia Lemigova and Martina Navratilova playing a game on "Watch What Happens Live"
Navratilova is married to Abraira’s “RHOM” castmate Julia Lemigova.


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Navratilova previously had breast cancer in 2010 and underwent a lumpectomy.

Days before Navratilova revealed her latest diagnosis, a tender moment between herself and Lemigova aired on “Miami” — which Abriara feels was kismet.

“The beautiful thing about it is that it just so happened that [the diagnosis announcement] synchronized with that episode,” she says of the Dec. 29 installment. 

Guerdy Abraira onstage at BravoCon
“They’re in great spirits, that’s the good news,” Abraira says of the couple.
Bryan Bedder/Bravo via Getty Ima

Lemigova and Navratilova — who made history as the “Housewives” franchise’s first gay couple when “RHOM” was rebooted for Peacock in 2021 — shared a romantic kiss while taking a swim together during golden hour. 

Running towards the sunset, Lemigova — clad in a flowing red dress — leapt off the dock of their oceanside manse and waited in the water to surprise her wife, who dove in just seconds later.

“That was so ‘White Lotus’ in the imagery of the last scene in that episode where Julia’s hiding in the water,” Abraira gushes of the cinematic sequence. “The best scene of the entire season to date right now is that, to me.” 

Guerdy Abraira
Abraira joined the “Miami” cast when Peacock rebooted the reality show in 2021.

Guerdy Abraira
Abraira joined the “Miami” cast when Peacock rebooted the reality show in 2021.


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Guerdy Abraira
Abraira joined the “Miami” cast when Peacock rebooted the reality show in 2021.


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The vocal LGBTQIA+ ally elaborates, “I’m like, this is, ‘Love is love.’ Love is love and this is a perfect example to show you how amazing that is, you know? I loved it!”

Prior that that scene, Lemigova openly discussed her and Navratilova’s marital challenges on this season of “RHOM.” 

The spouses notably clashed over Lemigova’s empty nest syndrome, which came in full force after moving into a new home without her children. However, she and Navratilova ultimately found compromise in their decision to adopt another child, as seen in Thursday’s new episode.

Julia Lemigova and Martina Navratilova posing together on a red carpet
Lemigova and Navratilova made “Real Housewives” history as the franchise’s first gay couple.

Julia Lemigova and Martina Navratilova sitting near Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle at a tennis game
Lemigova and Navratilova made “Real Housewives” history as the franchise’s first gay couple.


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Julia Lemigova and Martina Navratilova posing backstage at "Watch What Happens Live"
Lemigova and Navratilova made “Real Housewives” history as the franchise’s first gay couple.


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“It will be the first time that I’m going to have a child with somebody. Martina came into our life after I’d been a single mother three times,” the Russian beauty said in a confessional. 

“And I never experienced what it feels when your partner actually wants to have a child with you. Having a partner for me, it’s just a first time, so I’m very emotional about that.” 

Lemigova is the mother of daughters Victoria, 23, and Emma, 16, from previous relationships. She also welcomed a son named Maximilien in 1999, but he tragically died as an infant under suspicious circumstances. 

The cast of "The Real Housewives of Miami" posing at the Season 4 reunion
Abraira and Lemigova have developed a close friendship while filming “Miami.”
Peacock/NBCU Photo Bank via Gett

Lemigova and Navratilova have been a couple since 2006. They got engaged at the US Open in September 2014 and married in New York City that December.

Hear more of Abraira’s “Virtual Reali-Tea” interview here. 

“The Real Housewives of Miami” is available to stream on Peacock. 

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