Matt Damon Says Wife Survived Brain Aneurysm Before Oscars

WHO:

Fox News - Actor Matt Damon said his wife, Luciana Barroso, had a brain aneurysm and underwent brain surgery.

Fox News - Damon and Barroso married in 2005 and have three daughters: Isabella, 20; Gia, 17; and Stella, 15. Barroso also has a daughter, Alexia, 27, from a previous relationship; Damon helped raise her.

Fox News - Damon discussed the health scare in a GQ cover interview. Fox News identifies him as appearing on the cover of GQ’s 2026 Men of the Year issue.

Us Magazine - Damon, 56, recalled Barroso, 50, undergoing surgery before the 2024 awards show.

WHAT:

Fox News - Damon said Barroso’s brain surgery took place the week before the 2024 Oscars. He said she was “totally fine, thank God” and was recovering.

Fox News - On the first night she felt well and had her energy back, Barroso surprised Damon by getting dressed and accompanying him to an Oscars after-party. Damon called her choice “pretty f---ing heroic” and “really meaningful.”

Us Magazine - Damon said the surgery happened just before the awards show, which he had been looking forward to attending with *Oppenheimer*.

Fox News - *Oppenheimer* won best picture at the 2024 Oscars.

Fox News - Damon said he regretted missing the 2007 Oscars, when *The Departed* won best picture and Martin Scorsese won his first best director Oscar. Damon was filming *The Bourne Ultimatum* in Miami and watched the ceremony from bed with Barroso and their infant daughter. After realizing *The Departed* might win best picture, he said, “S---, we should be there!” and later admitted, “I totally blew it.”

Fox News - Damon said he and Barroso have traditionally limited his work absences to two weeks. During the first stretch of production on *The Odyssey*, he spent 3½ weeks away from home; he called the separation a sacrifice for his family and said they were supportive.

Fox News - Damon praised Ben Affleck for turning down projects that would take him away from his children and said, “I just want to make good stuff and definitely keep working with Ben.”

WHERE:

Fox News - Damon was filming *The Bourne Ultimatum* in Miami when he missed the 2007 Oscars.

WHEN:

Fox News - Barroso had surgery one week before the 2024 Oscars; she attended an after-party during her recovery.

Fox News - *The Departed* won best picture at the 2007 Oscars.

Fox News - Damon spent 3½ weeks away during the first stretch of *The Odyssey* production, described as taking place in 2026.

WHY:

Fox News - Barroso said, “This time we’re going out,” recalling that Damon had missed the celebration the last time.

Fox News - Damon said family support helped him manage Hollywood’s work schedule.

HOW:

Fox News - Barroso surprised Damon by arranging a dress and joining him at the after-party after she regained enough energy to go out.

(UPDATED November 5, 2026 22:12 UTC)

Matt Damon says his wife, Luciana Barroso, underwent brain surgery before the 2024 Oscars. Recovering, she surprised him by joining an after-party, a gesture Damon called heroic. Damon also described spending three and a half weeks away filming, with his family’s support.