‘We Thought It Could Kill Her’: Rachel Maddow Opens Up About Partner Susan Mikula’s COVID Battle

Rachel Maddow, the renowned MSNBC host, made an emotional return to her show after a two-week absence, revealing the harrowing ordeal of her partner of 21 years, Susan Mikula, who battled a severe case of COVID-19. The 47-year-old broadcaster, speaking from her home studio, shared that Mikula’s illness was so grave that there were moments when they feared for her life. The experience not only kept Maddow off the air but also left her fans deeply concerned about her sudden disappearance from the network’s most-watched program.

Mikula, a 62-year-old artist, tested positive for the coronavirus two weeks prior to Maddow’s return on Thursday evening. The couple, who have been together since 1999, immediately took precautions by physically separating within their home to prevent further spread. Maddow described the emotional toll of caring for Mikula from a distance, noting that her partner’s condition deteriorated significantly. “She’s not only been positive over this time, she’s gotten sicker and sicker,” Maddow shared, her voice heavy with the weight of the experience. At its worst, the couple faced the terrifying possibility that Mikula might not survive. “At one point, we really thought it was a possibility it might kill her,” she admitted.

Maddow, who has tested negative for the virus multiple times, described Mikula as “the center of my universe,” emphasizing the depth of their bond. “Susan and I have been together for more than 21 years. It was love at first sight, that has never waned,” she said. The couple’s enduring relationship, which began with an instant connection, has been a cornerstone of Maddow’s life. Mikula’s age placed her in a higher-risk category, making her recovery even more challenging. Though she is now on the mend, Maddow noted that Mikula is still unwell but no longer in critical danger. “We’re not scared anymore like we were,” she reassured viewers.

The host’s absence sparked concern among her audience, who were unaware of the personal crisis unfolding behind the scenes. Broadcasting from home, Maddow encountered minor technical difficulties and even joked about her lack of makeup, but her message was clear and urgent. She used her platform to implore viewers to take the pandemic seriously, urging them to “recalibrate” the risks they were willing to take. “Whatever you think of your own life and however much risk you’re willing to take on for yourself, that’s not how this works,” she said. “The person you most love and most cherish in the world, that’s the person who you lose.” Her words carried the weight of personal experience, as she reflected on the fragility of life and the devastating impact of the virus.

Maddow’s plea came at a critical time, as the United States reported 187,396 new COVID-19 cases and 1,962 deaths on the day of her broadcast, adding to a national toll of over 11 million infections and 252,000 lives lost. She emphasized the importance of avoiding infection altogether, warning that hospitals were nearing capacity. “There’s no room for you in the hospital anymore,” she said, urging viewers to forgo traditional gatherings, such as Thanksgiving, to protect their loved ones. “It’s going to suck so much less than you or someone in your family getting sick,” she added.

As Maddow prepares to end her quarantine and return to the studio when it is safe, her message resonates as a powerful reminder of the human cost of the pandemic. Mikula’s recovery, though slow, offers hope, but Maddow’s emotional recounting underscores the need for vigilance. “Do whatever you can to keep from getting it,” she urged, a plea born from the fear of nearly losing the person she cherishes most.