Sarah Hyland: Kidney Transplants and Modern Family

Few actresses have navigated the spotlight with the quiet determination of Sarah Hyland, best known for playing Haley Dunphy on Modern Family. Diagnosed at birth with kidney dysplasia, she underwent two kidney transplants before turning 30, and this piece traces her health journey, career arc, and relationships.

Age: 34 (born November 24, 1990) · Height: 5 ft 2 in (1.57 m) · Net worth: Approximately $12 million · Modern Family run: 2009–2020 (11 seasons) · Spouse: Wells Adams (m. 2022)

Nine facts that trace Sarah Hyland’s life and career, one pattern: she has balanced professional success with significant health challenges from a very young age.

What was Sarah Hyland diagnosed with?

Details of Sarah Hyland’s kidney dysplasia

Hyland was born with kidney dysplasia, a condition where one or both kidneys don’t develop normally in the womb (WebMD health guide). This led to chronic kidney disease that required two kidney transplants. She received her first transplant at age 21 from her father, and her second transplant from her younger brother in 2017 (TODAY health report).

Kidney transplant and recovery

• First transplant: father as donor (2012) (BBC News report)
• Second transplant: younger brother as donor (2017) (ABC News feature)
• Hyland has undergone at least 16 surgeries total (ABC News feature)
• She publicly revealed the second transplant in December 2018 (BBC News report)

Impact on her acting career

The National Kidney Foundation (patient advocacy organization) published a feature on how Hyland’s kidney transplants affected her filming. She has said she can’t remember filming some episodes because of the toll the illness took on her body (TODAY health report). During Season 8 of Modern Family, fans noticed her face appeared swollen — a side effect of the medications she was taking, though Hyland has never officially confirmed the exact cause.

The implication: Hyland’s career productivity on a hit sitcom while managing end-stage kidney disease demonstrates an extraordinary ability to compartmentalize health crises from professional obligations.

Does Sarah Hyland have kids?

Current family status

As of 2025, Hyland and her husband Wells Adams do not have children (People wedding coverage). She does, however, share a step-dog from Adams’ previous relationship.

Future plans for children

In interviews, Hyland has expressed a desire to have children in the future. She has discussed the possibility of adoption alongside biological options, given her medical history. No official announcements have been made as of early 2025.

The trade-off: Hyland’s kidney transplants and ongoing health maintenance mean any pregnancy would require careful medical planning, making family decisions more complex than for many her age.

Why did Ty Burrell not go to Sarah’s wedding?

Ty Burrell’s absence from the wedding

Ty Burrell, who played Hyland’s on-screen father Phil Dunphy on Modern Family, did not attend her wedding to Wells Adams. Burrell cited a scheduling conflict — he was filming a new show at the time (People wedding coverage). Hyland later stated there was no drama between them and that they remain friendly.

Sarah Hyland’s wedding to Wells Adams

• Date: August 20, 2022 (People wedding coverage — unlinked duplicate removed)
• Location: Sunstone Winery near Santa Barbara, California (Los Angeles Times wedding report)
• Officiant: Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s Facebook post)
• Cast members who attended: Sofía Vergara, Julie Bowen, Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Los Angeles Times wedding report)

Relationships within the Modern Family cast

Despite Burrell’s absence, Hyland has described the cast as a close-knit family. The wedding was officiated by her on-screen uncle Jesse Tyler Ferguson, underscoring the enduring bonds formed during the show’s 11-season run.

The catch: A single absence, fueled by a work conflict, does not signify a rift — but it became a tabloid narrative that Hyland had to publicly defuse.

Did Ariel Winter and Sarah Hyland get along?

On-screen vs off-screen friendship

Ariel Winter played Hyland’s younger sister Alex Dunphy on Modern Family, and the two developed a close friendship off-screen. Winter has publicly praised Hyland for her resilience through health issues (TODAY health report).

Public statements about their relationship

Both actresses have denied rumors of a feud. They have posted supportive messages for each other on social media. Winter described Hyland as “one of the strongest people I know” in a now-deleted Instagram post that was widely reported.

What this means: The public narrative of sisterly camaraderie was reinforced by both women, making “feud” stories largely a product of gossip speculation rather than evidence.

Why did Haley get pregnant in Modern Family?

Storyline for Haley Dunphy in later seasons

In Season 10, Haley Dunphy became pregnant with twins. The pregnancy became a major plot point that carried into the final season. The writers intended to show Haley growing into motherhood, completing her arc from a carefree teenager to a responsible adult.

Creative decisions behind the pregnancy

Executive producer Steve Levitan explained in interviews that the pregnancy storyline gave Haley a new set of challenges and allowed the show to explore themes of family in a new generation. Sarah Hyland has spoken about how the pregnancy storyline coincided with her own health journey, adding a layer of personal resonance (TODAY health report).

Reception from fans

Fan reactions were mixed — some appreciated the character growth, while others felt the pregnancy came too suddenly. Nonetheless, it provided closure for Haley’s character when the series ended in 2020.

The pattern: Modern Family used Haley’s pregnancy as a narrative device to inject stakes into the final seasons, a decision that aligned with Hyland’s real-life resilience theme.

Quotes from key people

“I can’t remember filming half of the episodes because I was so sick.”

— Sarah Hyland, in an interview with TODAY

“There was no drama. He just had to work.”

— Sarah Hyland, on Ty Burrell’s absence, reported by Los Angeles Times

“She is one of the strongest people I know.”

— Ariel Winter, in a social media post supporting Hyland (via TODAY)

For anyone following Sarah Hyland’s story, the takeaway is clear: resilience isn’t a marketing tagline — it’s a lived reality. Her ability to sustain a high-profile acting career while undergoing two kidney transplants and 16 surgeries reshapes what we think possible under pressure. For young actors facing health battles, Hyland’s example offers a concrete playbook: be transparent about your limits, lean on family, and never let a chronic condition define your ambition.

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