Nicole Scherzinger Opens Up About Her Mom Surviving Two Strokes: ‘She Has a Mechanical Heart’

Nicole Scherzinger is opening up about her mom surviving two strokes.

The Tony winner talked about her mother during her performance at the American Heart Association’s annual Red Dress Collection Concert gala for women’s cardiac health on Thursday night at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City.

“She has a mechanical heart,” Scherzinger said. “In 2002, she suffered a stroke and we had to get her a double valve replacement. I don’t talk about this because it’s a little sensitive, but I mean if you’re gonna talk about it this is the place to talk about it, right?”

Tearing up, she continued, “We replaced her aortic valve and her mitral valve, and then in 2020 she had another stroke so we replaced her aortic valve again. But she is strong, so on behalf of me and my mom I want thank all of you so much for the beautiful work that you do.”

Scherzinger also noted that her mom worked for AHA for 15 years in Louisville, Ky.

The evening included a celebrity fashion show that featured Uzo Aduba, Christina Chang of “Heated Rivalry,” Normani, Jane Seymour, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Chlöe Bailey, Edi Falco, Amaya “Papaya” Espinal, “Agatha All Along” star Ali Ahn, Selma Blair, reality television star Kandi Buress and her daughter Riley, Sasha Pieterse, NFL sideline reporter Jen Hale and Monty, the winner of the 2025 Westminster Dog Show.

Amy Grant, who also performed and walked in the show, spoke about undergoing open heart surgery four years ago after her husband Vince Gill’s cardiologist noticed something might be wrong. 

 “Life can change in an instant, often before you even realize it,” Grant said. “There’s a moment for so many women they don’t even see it coming when their health, her plans, her sense of certainty, are about to shift. I was that woman. Today, I stand here as the result of a life-saving open-heart surgery.

And I’m gonna tell you – it’s not on the prompter – for a flat chested woman, I have a lot of cleavage now,” she cracked.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S. and stroke has moved up to the No. 4 spot. On average, someone dies from cardiovascular disease every 34 seconds, according to AHA. More than half of people living in the U.S. have some form of cardiovascular disease. AHA emphasizes that almost 80% of cardiovascular events can be prevented with education and lifestyle changes like moving more, eating healthy, reducing stress and getting enough sleep.

Laura Linney, in a red Ruben Singer dress, hosted the event. “We have to make heart health visible, understandable and personal long before it becomes urgent,” she said. “And because heart disease has so acutely and unexpectedly impacted my family in recent years, we are aware. We ask questions. We have conversations with our doctors because healthcare isn’t a one-way street. Cardiovascular disease isn’t just a medical issue, it’s a family issue, a caregiving issue and women’s health issue.”

The guest list included Susan Lucci, Star Jones, comedian Drew Lynch, healthcare influencer Dr. Mike, ABC News chief medical correspondent Dr. Tara Narula and actors Elisabeth Rohm and Aida Turturro. The red carpet was hosted by Variety’s Marc Malkin.

See more photos from the Red Dress Collection below.