Leon Tsoukernik gives first interview since near-fatal overdose

Leon Tsoukernik led after Day 1 of the Coin Rivet Invitational

Posted on: February 1, 2025 06:48 PST

Leon Tsoukernik, the former primary owner of King's Resort in Rozvadov, Czech Republic, has continued his amazing recovery from a nearly fatal sedative overdose and is now convalescing at his home in western Czechia. Tsoukernik, 51, the former boss of the WSOP Europe festival's longtime venue, has even given his first post-crisis interview.

Everything's coming up roses for Tsourkernik, or rather, orchids. "I'm looking at orchids again," he told Forbes' Czech online news outlet. Tsoukernik's home, as it turns out, includes a large amount of orchid imagery. "I’m absolutely fine, I feel fantastic."

The Forbes Czech update also described Tsoukernik's current appearance as being "full of vitality," portraying him as well on the way to a complete or near-complete recovery.

Leon Tsoukernik at the 2022 EPT Prague

Bilateral pneumonia contributed to coma

Tsoukernik disclosed to the Czech outlet that he was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia after arriving via airlift at a hospital, still in a coma. Tsoukernik had also been using a powerful sedative, propofol, the drug that killed pop superstar Michael Jackson. The Forbes report doesn't state it directly, but having a case of pneumonia may have been the underlying medical condition that caused his abnormal and life-threatening reaction to the drug.

According to Tsoukernik, his medical rescuers gave him "little chance of survival" when they found him at his home, in the coma. Instead, Tsoukernik emerged from the coma after 40 hours, and his condition has vastly improved.

Tsoukernik also thanked his wife, Sandra, who stayed at his hospital bedside for days, and to the medical professionals who helped pull him through the crisis.

^{Feature image courtesy of Triton Poker.}