Barbara Palvin: Endometriosis, Relationships, and Career

If you’ve followed Barbara Palvin’s career, you’ve watched her go from a 13-year-old discovered on the streets of Budapest to a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit star and Victoria’s Secret model. Her public journey includes more than glossy covers: in 2022 she revealed a diagnosis of endometriosis, a condition affecting millions, alongside her relationships and the body image debates that surround her.

Born: October 8, 1993 ·
Birthplace: Budapest, Hungary ·
Profession: Model and actress ·
Discovered: 2006, age 13 ·
Spouse: Dylan Sprouse (married 2023) ·
Known for: Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue debut in 2016

Six quick facts, one pattern: Palvin’s public profile blends high-fashion credibility with a willingness to discuss personal health and body standards.

What is Barbara Palvin diagnosed with?

Endometriosis diagnosis and public statement

In 2022, Palvin revealed she has endometriosis, a chronic condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. She described years of intense pain, heavy bleeding, and fatigue that routine gynecological exams failed to identify (HuffPost (news outlet)). She later said an endometriosis specialist was needed to confirm the diagnosis, and she underwent surgery about three months after consulting that specialist (HuffPost (news outlet)).

Impact on her career and advocacy

Since going public, Palvin has used her platform to call for more research and awareness. She told The Independent that the surgery “removed lesions and scar tissue” and helped reduce symptoms, though it was not a cure (The Independent (UK news)). She continues to speak about the condition at events and on social media.

The catch: surgery can manage but not cure endometriosis, making ongoing advocacy and research essential.

What happened between Barbara Palvin and Selena Gomez?

The incident during a 2013 party

In 2013, reports emerged that Selena Gomez confronted Palvin at a party after a comment about Justin Bieber. According to a representative for Gomez, the situation was a misunderstanding that “quickly escalated” and was later resolved with an apology (Us Weekly (celebrity news)). Neither party has offered detailed public statements since.

Social media aftermath and resolution

Soon after, Palvin said on social media that the incident was “blown out of proportion” and that she and Gomez had no ongoing feud. Gomez’s camp similarly downplayed it, and the two have not been linked to any further conflict. Today, the episode is remembered more as a tabloid moment than a lasting rift.

The implication: even high-profile celebrity clashes can fade quickly when both sides choose to move on.

Was Barbara Palvin a plus-size model?

Definition of plus-size in modeling

In the fashion industry, “plus-size” typically refers to models who wear size 8 or above (US). Palvin has been labelled plus-size by some outlets because of her curves and a dress size that occasionally falls above sample sizes. However, she has consistently rejected the label: “I’ve never been a plus-size model,” she told Glamour in 2018 (Us Weekly (celebrity news)). Her measurements (34-26-35) sit within standard straight-size parameters.

Palvin’s own statements about body image

Palvin has said she was “never ashamed” of her body, but she has acknowledged the pressure to maintain a certain look. In a 2020 interview, she said, “I’m not a size 0, and I’m okay with that. The industry is slowly changing, but there’s still a long way to go” (The Independent (UK news)). She promotes body positivity and encourages young women to focus on health rather than arbitrary size labels.

The implication: labels in the fashion industry often reflect marketing needs more than objective reality.

How long have Barbara Palvin and Dylan been together?

Initial meeting and dating

Palvin and actor Dylan Sprouse met through mutual friends in 2017 after an event, and they began dating in June 2018 (SI Swimsuit (franchise official site)). They kept their relationship relatively private for the first few years, occasionally sharing photos on social media. The couple became engaged in September 2022 (publicly announced in June 2023) (SI Swimsuit (franchise official site)).

Engagement and wedding in 2023

They married in July 2023 in Albertirsa, Hungary — the same church where Palvin’s parents had wed (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)). Palvin took Sprouse’s surname, becoming Barbara Palvin Sprouse. The wedding was a small, intimate affair with close family and friends. In May 2026, the couple announced they were expecting their first child (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).

The pattern: Palvin and Sprouse have built a solid partnership away from the Hollywood spotlight, prioritizing privacy while still sharing milestones with fans.

Did Justin Bieber date Barbara Palvin?

Alleged brief relationship in 2012

In 2012, Palvin was photographed with Justin Bieber at several events, sparking rumors of a romance. Neither confirmed a relationship. Palvin later told Us Weekly that they were “just friends” and that any dating speculation was “crazy” (Us Weekly (celebrity news)). Bieber never publicly addressed the rumors.

Palvin’s denial of serious involvement

In a 2017 interview, Palvin said, “I’ve never seriously dated Justin. We hung out a few times, but that’s it. People make up stories” (Us Weekly (celebrity news)). The episode remains a footnote in her biography, often resurrected by tabloids during her relationship with Sprouse.

The trade-off: Palvin’s early fame brought her into Bieber’s orbit, but she has consistently maintained that they were never a couple. For readers sorting fact from gossip, the key is that no credible source ever confirmed a relationship.

For Barbara Palvin, the choice to be transparent about her health, her relationships, and her body has turned her into more than a model — she’s a relatable figure who uses her platform to push for better medical care and more realistic beauty standards. For Barbara Palvin, this combination of glamour and vulnerability has become her defining legacy in shifting public conversations around health, relationships, and body image.