Bret Michaels wins 'Celebrity Apprentice' with a limp and a smile

After a dramatic week leading up to Sunday's finale of "The Celebrity Apprentice," rocker Bret Michaels made it to Donald Trump's last boardroom meeting of the season -- and won.

Besting actress Holly Robinson Peete, Michaels scored $250,000 for the American Diabetes Assn.

"Lately it seems like me just standing up is risking my life,” Michaels joked to Trump, who asked if Michaels was putting his health in jeopardy by appearing at the New York finale. 

Just a month prior to the finale, Michaels was rushed to the hospital after suffering a brain hemorrhage. He was listed in critical condition for 10 days, then released to out-patient rehabilitation. Though his rate of recovery was considered rare, Michaels was back on his way to "Apprentice."

Then he suffered a small stroke.

In a statement posted last week on his website, Michaels said he was diagnosed with patent foramen ovale, or a hole in the heart, after experiencing numbness on the left side of his body.

So Sunday came as a victory for the resilient singer, who defeated Robinson Peete in a challenge to create and market a celebrity drink for Snapple. Peete's HollyRod Foundation, however, scored its own $250,000 from the iced tea makers.

The singer was in good spirits but appeared to walk with a limp and exhibited some slack in the left side of his face, a report said.

The "Apprentice" farewell saw the reunion of fired contestants like Cindy Lauper, Selita Ebanks and Rod Blagojevich. Sharon Osbourne was inexplicably absent, as was wrestler Bill Goldberg.

— Matt Donnelly

Photo: Michaels said his thoughts were only of his children when his brain troubles hit. Credit: Peter Kramer / AP Photo/NBC

Related dispatches from The Ministry of Gossip

Bret Michaels hospitalized -- again -- with 'warning stroke,' hole in heart

Out of the hospital, Bret Michaels says he feels 'lucky to be alive' 

I think he'll outlive us all,' Bret Michaels' sister says

Minor setback' for Bret Michaels during treatment 

Bret Michaels in critical condition after brain hemorrhage

Get celebrity headlines from the Ministry on Twitter and Facebook

Comments

[Rick Winslow]

Kudos to Snapple for stepping up and awarding both of these deserving charities the prize. To Donald Trump for recognizing a deserving competitor his win, and to Bret Michaels for doing what he had to do to win for his cause and lives of many. Holly gained well over 1/2 million for her charity, which must also be commended. A great season and I wish the very best for Bret and a speedy recovery.

[kiki]

why wasn't sharon osbourne at the celebrity apprentice finale?

[NeNe]

There was no other outcome to this year's CA. However, they are both winners and that matters most.

[Tee]

Excellent outcome. Kudos to Bret - he worked very hard. Good to see him last night. Though Holly was deserving of the titlel as well as Bret, she is truly a winner already. Great job by all.

Good show Trump man!

Boy, Maria Kanellis sure made a trashy statement last night - I was embarrassed FOR her. Geez, does she have ANY manners??? Her failed attempt at humor only made herself look like a tramp. Up until that point I thought she handled her self relatively well. Although a bit rough around the edges . . .Lousy exit Maria.

[SteveA21]

Tee, Maria actually had made the offensive statement a while ago and apologized for having made it last night, when it was shown again on video, so it's difficult to see how she made a trashy exit from the show.

I'm delighted that Bret won. It was well-deserved. Because the true "never-say-die" spirit he displayed, he was the most creative person all season, for better or for worse, and he was the best at integrating the unique traits of the celebrities into his projects.

Holly was very hard-working and she's a fund-raiser par excellence, but her project results were never all that creative or unique. They fit into a fairly standard corporate mode.

[Pat]

It was a great season for CA, I fell in love with Brett Michaels.. But I think he only one out of the sympathy. They were both the two I knew that would make it to the finals, becuase of passion for their charity.
I think on the last task like Mr. Trump said, it was a tie. But then you go into their wins, in which Holly won over 370,000 it proves that she made the most money in CA history, thats the purpose of the show. I love them both but Holly should have won.

[Tee]

Oh, I stand corrected by STEVEA21!!!

What the f ever! Geez, What is it with you online goobers who have nothing better to do than correct people? You correct articles, point out typos and generally have some delusional idea that somebody gives a rats behind about what you have to say.

Does it matter WHEN she said it, REALLY? Is it SO very important to you?

I'M STILL ENTITLED TO MY OPINION, regardless if it's live or MEMOREX!

And obviously it was taped! Duh! I still feel she looked trashy by saying it. The Trump clan felt the same way - as they pointed it out on the series finale. So in MY MIND she closed out looking very bad. Apology or not. Do really need to explain that???

Go find a typo or something.

[patricia]

im glad bret won even though i think the main reason he did was just because he was in the hospital

[JL]

My guess is Sharon wasnt there because she has her hands full with Am. Got Talent & the few Ozzfest dates. Dont know about Goldberg but was likely a schedule conflict also.

IMO, Bret's win was totally deserved. I held my breath a couple of times during a few tasks for him but in the end, he deserved the win- and it has nothing to do with his recent health issues.

As for Holly winning more money, it was just the task that was at hand that got her that much money. Bret is not a "creative beggar" to use Holly's own term and doesnt know as many ppl with deep pockets like Holly does. Bret works for a living while Holly pretty much does her charity full time. Never heard of her prior to this show. Besides, in the end, Bret won more than Holly... in the very end if you do the math.

But youll always have your critics who will say Bret only won because of his health and that even the health scares were publicity stunts. I leave the ignorance to the ignorant and dont sink to address them.

Congrats B and see you soon doll. Kisses to R&J xo
ps: site, you could have posted my first comment as it was hardly controversial. I dont have freedom of speech too? I was the first to comment on your article and you toss it? Thx

[Louise]

I have enjoyed every Celebrity Apprentice Show since it first aired. Bret and Tee both deserving of being the Apprentice however being only one winner I think Bret did a fine job and as did you Mr. Trump, making him the Celebrity Apprentice for this season.
Bret your cherity for Diebetice is a great way to put your fund raising. If you were to go on the internet and look up the Frat. Orders of the Eagles you could see that they have made a commitment to danate 25. million dollars to the research of diebetice out of Iowa. The commitment we made is for 5 million a year over the next 5 years. This research center has promised the 4th floor to the Frat. Order of eagles, is we reach this commitment. Every year we have our Grand Convention in a different state. The up comming year is right here in Florida.
Once again thank you for all you did for your charity.