Exclusive | Inside Perez Hilton’s ‘traumatic’ year — including the health crisis that ‘almost killed him’ –

Perez Hilton had a tumultuous year filled with lifestyle changes, near-fatal health scares and financial woes before he was hospitalized for an apparent suicide attempt, multiple sources told Page Six.

The gossip blogger, born Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., has been adjusting to life in Miami after moving back to his hometown in June. Hilton had just relocated to his native city from Las Vegas, where he had lived for just over three years after residing in Los Angeles.

“Moving to Miami has not been easy,” a source exclusively told Page Six Wednesday. “It’s where he was brought up and there’s a lot of history there.”

We’re told Hilton — who welcomed kids Mario, 13, Mia, 11, and Mayte, 8, via surrogate — was “really happy” with his life in Sin City.

“He and his family had a good life in Vegas, and the kids were settled,” the source said. “I know the transition to a new place, even if it’s a place that you have known your whole life, can be difficult and this move was no different for Mario.

“He’s only been in Miami a few months, but I didn’t get the impression he felt settled yet,” the source continued.

Aside from adapting to his new surroundings, Hilton, 48, also experienced several hospitalizations due to two near-fatal health scares.

In March, Hilton took flu medication on an empty stomach, resulting in a three-week hospitalization.

Hilton told fans that he was sick with the flu for a week and ended up taking his medication without eating any food. Due to this misstep, Hilton said he “developed an ulcer and then a perforation and then sepsis.”

“My stupidity landed me in the hospital for 21 days. It was the worst and best thing that’s ever happened to me,” he shared in a YouTube video at the time.

Hilton said the terrifying incident inspired him to spend more time with his children and mom, Teresita.

“I’m going to have dinner with my kids and my mom every night from now on,” he pledged.

Just one month later, Hilton needed an emergency surgery after suffering a “massive” blood clot in April.

“His health struggles this year have been extreme. The sepsis honestly almost killed him,” the source said to Page Six. “I don’t know if people realize just how traumatic and horrific that was for him, both physically, but also emotionally.”

The insider told us that the hospitalizations were a “massive awakening” for Hilton.

“It scared the hell out of him,” the source said.

His struggles only mounted from there when he was stuck with “pretty extreme” medical and health bills that we’re told “hit him hard,” the source claimed.

“Mario has always worked extremely hard, he’s one of the hardest working people I know and so suddenly being faced with these mounting financial pressures was a lot for him,” the source said, noting that he is the “breadwinner” of the family.

“He just wants to provide a good life for everybody,” the source said. “I know that for that reason, the past few months have been really hard for him.”

Hilton spoke about his financial woes in an Instagram video earlier this year.

“You don’t want to know how much I had to pay in hospital bills with insurance,” he said in the clip, where he promoted his new merchandise line. “That’s why your boy is in hustle mode.”

A close friend of Hilton described the media personality as “the most devoted dad.”

“He has been ever since he had his first baby,” the friend said. “Work is obviously incredibly important to him too, but becoming a dad really changed his life completely — it gave him a new perspective on everything.”

Through his struggles, Perez has been focusing on caring for his kids, his sister Barbie and his mother.

“He absolutely adores his family. He does everything for them,” the friend said. “His whole life revolves around them. He’s a family man.”

According to the friend, there had been no outward signs that Hilton was in a downward spiral.

“He barely drinks, I can’t actually remember the last time I saw him drinking any alcohol, and he definitely doesn’t do drugs…” the friend said, adding, “It’s not like this has been a downward spiral — it just hasn’t.”

Reps for Hilton did not respond to Page Six’s request for comment.

Hilton was “safely recovered” from his Miami home and rushed to a nearby hospital after he livestreamed a video in which he appeared to self-harm himself on Tuesday night.

The Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office told Page Six that they had received “multiple calls” reporting “an individual livestreaming acts of self-harm on social media.” Several units were dispatched to investigate.

“The individual has been safely recovered and transported by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to a local hospital, where he is receiving medical attention,” the Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement at the time.

“The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Crisis Response Unit and Licensed Mental Health Professionals are also on scene providing support and resources to the individual’s family.”

The 911 dispatch audio revealed several units responded to a “suicide attempt.”

Page Six also obtained surveillance footage of a swarm of police cars at the blogger’s home.

“Mario, it’s the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, please step out of the house,” one officer can be heard repeatedly saying.

Authorities, who were on the scene for several hours, were told that he was “alone” in his home at the time of the incident.

Reps for Hilton told Page Six in a statement Wednesday that they did not have any additional confirmed information to share about his condition.

“Our focus remains on Perez’s health, recovery and the privacy of both him and his family during this incredibly difficult time,” they wrote in part.

“We are grateful for the outpouring of concern and support from fans, friends and members of the media. We respectfully ask that everyone continue to honor his privacy while he receives the care he needs.”

Hilton launched his controversial eponymous gossip blog in 2004, quickly making a name for himself with shocking headlines and salacious stories.

His reporting also landed him in legal disputes, with lawsuits filed by or on behalf of several celebrities, including cases involving Colin Farrell, DJ Samantha Ronson and leaked recordings of Britney Spears.

Beyond his blog, Hilton co-hosts a podcast with Chris Booker, runs two YouTube channels and has written four books.

If you or someone you care about is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). 

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.