Legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, 86, is "resting nicely" in a Rome hospital after undergoing a pre-scheduled heart procedure, according to a U.S.-based representative. Initial social media reports, including a tweet from "Cinema Tweets" stating "BREAKING: Francis Ford Coppola Has Been Hospitalized in Italy Due to Heart Complications," sparked concern, but sources close to the director clarified the non-emergency nature of his visit. The procedure was described as a "scheduled update" with Dr. Andrea Natale, a cardiologist who has treated Coppola for over 30 years.
Coppola's representative specifically refuted claims of an emergency or a sudden atrial fibrillation event prior to the procedure, emphasizing that the director went to the hospital by car for his appointment. The medical intervention was a planned follow-up for an existing atrial fibrillation (afib) condition, a common treatment to help reset the heart’s rhythm. His hospital stay is expected to be brief, with medical staff describing the operation as "simple" and "planned for some time."
The hospitalization follows a demanding period for the five-time Oscar winner, who recently concluded a six-city U.S. tour promoting his self-financed epic, "Megalopolis." He had also been in Italy presenting the film at the Magna Graecia Film Festival in Calabria and scouting locations for an upcoming project. Coppola has strong ties to Italy, where his grandfather emigrated from, and he often spends time there.
Despite his age and recent personal loss with the passing of his wife, Eleanor Coppola, last year, the director remains actively engaged in his cinematic pursuits. In a recent Instagram post, Coppola assured fans, "> Da Dada (what my kids call me) is fine, taking an opportunity while in Rome to do the update of my 30 year old afib procedure with its inventor, a great Italian doctor." This latest health update underscores his continued dedication to his craft and his resilience.