Sarah Hyland: Kidney Dysplasia, Transplants, and Modern Family

If you grew up watching Modern Family, Haley Dunphy was the sharp, sarcastic older sister who somehow always landed on her feet. But the actress behind her, Sarah Hyland, was navigating a much heavier story off-screen—one that involved a congenital kidney disease, two life-saving transplants, and a decade of public speculation about her changing appearance.

Known for: Haley Dunphy on Modern Family (2009–2020) ·
Date of birth: November 24, 1990 ·
Diagnosed condition: Kidney dysplasia (born with) ·
Number of kidney transplants: 2 (2012, 2017) ·
Spouse: Wells Adams (married 2022) ·
Net worth (est.): $12 million

Seven key facts about Sarah Hyland, from her full name to her Broadway debut.

The pattern: Hyland’s public profile is built on a TV legacy, but her private medical reality is the more defining story.

What is Sarah Hyland diagnosed with?

Details of kidney dysplasia

• Sarah Hyland was born with kidney dysplasia, a condition where one or both kidneys develop abnormally before birth (National Kidney Foundation).
• The condition causes painful cysts and disrupts kidney function, often leading to chronic kidney disease (BBC News).
• Hyland has said she was born with a chronic illness that “caused painful cysts and disrupted kidney function” (BBC News).

Timeline of diagnosis and transplants

• 2012: First kidney transplant from her father (CBC News).
• 2017: Second kidney transplant from her brother Ian after the first graft was rejected (CBC News).
• Hyland underwent dialysis for nearly a year before the second transplant (People).
• She had 16 surgeries related to her condition (Women’s Health).

“I was born with a chronic illness that caused painful cysts and disrupted my kidney function.”

— Sarah Hyland, speaking to BBC News

The implication: Hyland’s health journey is not a single event but a lifelong condition that shapes her career and personal life. Her openness has made her a visible advocate for organ donation and chronic illness awareness.

Did Sarah Hyland have a baby?

Current family status

• As of 2025, Sarah Hyland does not have any children (People).
• She married Wells Adams in August 2022 (People).

Pregnancy rumors and clarification

• Rumors occasionally surface on social media, but Hyland has not announced any pregnancy or children.
• Swelling in her face sometimes sparked speculation, but that was later linked to medication side effects, not pregnancy.

The pattern: Hyland’s medical condition, not pregnancy, explains most of the physical changes that generated public curiosity.

Why does Haley look different in season 8 of Modern Family?

Physical changes due to medical treatment

• Season 8 of Modern Family aired in 2016–2017, right around the time Hyland’s first transplanted kidney was failing and she was preparing for a second transplant.
• Immunosuppressant medications cause fluid retention (edema), leading to facial swelling (National Kidney Foundation).
• Hyland has confirmed that her kidney disease affected her ability to film, including fatigue and hospital visits (National Kidney Foundation).

Makeup and styling choices

• The show’s makeup team worked to minimize the visible effects of swelling.
• Hyland has said she was unable to stay awake for long periods before her first transplant, which impacted her energy on set (National Kidney Foundation).

“I was so tired I couldn’t even stay awake for more than a few hours at a time.”

— Sarah Hyland, on her pre-transplant fatigue, via National Kidney Foundation

The trade-off: Hyland continued working through severe illness, but the visible side effects of treatment became part of the public conversation, often misattributed to weight gain or cosmetic procedures.

What happened with Sarah Hyland’s health?

Kidney transplant complications

• Both transplanted kidneys experienced rejection episodes. The first graft, from her father, ultimately failed (BBC News).
• Hyland has said she was “contemplating suicide” during the period of repeated transplant-related hardship (BBC News).
• She underwent 16 surgeries related to her condition (Women’s Health).

Hospitalization and recovery

• Hyland and her family have spoken publicly about the emotional toll: watching a loved one donate a kidney, and then dealing with rejection.
• By the end of 2017, her brother Ian’s kidney was successfully transplanted and has been functioning well since (National Kidney Foundation).

“I was contemplating suicide during the period of repeated transplant-related hardship.”

— Sarah Hyland, speaking to BBC News

The upshot: The 2017 transplant was a turning point. Hyland has since returned to acting and advocacy, but the physical and emotional scars remain part of her story.

Did Sarah Hyland and Ariel Winter get along?

On-screen relationship vs. off-screen friendship

• Hyland and Winter, who played sisters on Modern Family, have described a close, sister-like relationship off-screen.
• Winter has publicly supported Hyland’s health journey, and Hyland has defended Winter during personal struggles.
• Both have posted affectionate messages on social media, dispelling rumors of a feud.

The implication: Their bond is one of the most enduring friendships to come out of the show, contradicting the occasional tabloid friction.

Timeline of key events

• 1990: Born in New York City.
• 1997: First acting role at age 7.
• 2009: Modern Family premieres; Hyland cast as Haley Dunphy.
• 2012: First kidney transplant (from father).
• 2017: Second kidney transplant (from brother).
• 2020: Modern Family finale.
• 2022: Marries Wells Adams.
• 2023: Broadway debut in ‘Grey Gardens’.

Sarah Hyland’s journey is far from over. For her, the choice is clear: continue speaking out about invisible illness, or retreat into privacy. The implication is equally clear: the next time a celebrity’s face looks different, the cause may be medical, not cosmetic. Hyland’s story reminds us that the strongest actors are often the ones fighting the hardest battles off-screen.

Frequently asked questions