'Three cups' author Greg Mortenson has open-heart surgery

Greg Mortenson, the embattled author of Three Cups of Tea has undergone open-heart surgery.

Doctors discovered an aneurysm, in addition to a hole, in Mortenson's heart that had left him with low oxygen levels, Central Asia Institute acting director Anne Beyersdorfer told the Bozeman Daily Chronicle on Wednesday. Last week, surgeons repaired the hole and tied down the aneurysm, she added.

MORE: �Montana probing Mortenson charity

"We feel very fortunate it did not burst or throw a clot," Beyersdorfer said, declining to say where the operation was performed, except to reveal that it was not in Montana. She said he expected to eventually return to his Bozeman home for a recovery that could take weeks or months.

Mortenson entered a Bozeman hospital soon after the reports surfaced in April alleged he lied about events in his best-selling book. The reports from 60 Minutes and author Jon Krakauer also questioned whether Mortenson financially benefited from the institute and whether CAI built the number of schools in it claimed.

Last month, two Montana lawmakers filed a lawsuit against Mortenson, claiming they were duped into buying the book and donating to his charity based on lies.

Mortenson's foundation has said he will not respond to his accusers until he has regained his health.

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