Bret Baier, the well-known Fox News anchor, recently opened up in a deeply emotional moment about his son Paul’s ongoing battle with congenital heart disease.

Speaking candidly, Baier described the rollercoaster of emotions he and his family have faced since learning about Paul’s cardiac problems at birth, all the way to witnessing his brave son undergo a fifth open-heart surgery.

“A lot can change in a matter of five hours,” Baier said, his voice trembling. “It’s important to be thankful for everything you have, every second of every day.”

Baier, who has long been a trusted face in American political journalism, revealed how helpless he felt when doctors first told him that his newborn son had serious heart defects.

Paul was just hours old when the diagnosis came, and the news sent the Baier family into years of surgeries, uncertainty, and prayer.

“No parent is prepared to hear that their child will need major heart surgery—let alone five of them,” he said. “We went from the joy of birth to the fear of losing him, in a matter of hours.”

The veteran journalist described sitting outside the operating room, watching Paul being wheeled in for surgery after surgery.

The fifth operation was especially difficult. “There’s something that hits you in the chest when you realize this is the fifth time you’re saying goodbye as they wheel your child into a room where their heart will literally be stopped and restarted,” Baier shared.

Despite his young age, Paul has displayed incredible resilience. Baier calls him his hero, saying that his son’s strength has reshaped the way he views life, work, and fatherhood.

“Paul wakes up every day with a smile. He’s faced more than most adults, and yet, he’s full of hope. That inspires me every single day,” Baier said.

The experience has left Bret Baier with a profound sense of gratitude—not only for modern medicine and his son’s care team, but for every single moment of life.

“You start to see things differently. Every second counts. Every breath. Every laugh. Every hug,” he said. “You stop sweating the small stuff.”

Over the years, Baier has used his platform to raise awareness about congenital heart disease (CHD), which affects nearly 1 in 100 babies in the U.S.

He has also supported Children’s National Hospital and other organizations that helped save Paul’s life. “We were lucky to have access to the best care, and not everyone does,” Baier noted. “That’s why I speak out—not just as a father, but as someone with a microphone.”

Though Paul’s battle isn’t over, Bret Baier and his family are embracing each day with faith and love.

With continued care, Paul is thriving, and Baier remains committed to sharing their story to encourage other families going through similar struggles.

“I look at Paul and I see a miracle,” Baier said. “Our story is tough, but it’s also filled with joy, resilience, and love.”

Bret Baier’s emotional account is a reminder that behind every public figure is a personal story—often one of pain, perseverance, and deep humanity.

His words serve as a powerful testament to the fragility of life and the strength of the human spirit. “Life can change in five hours,” Baier said. “So love hard, be thankful, and never take a moment for granted.”