Kim Zolciak-Biermann Gives Fans An Emotional Update On Her Health After 'Dancing With The Stars' Season 21 Finale Return

Kim Zolciak-Biermann may not have taken home the mirror ball trophy on Season 21 of ABC's "Dancing With the Stars," but she's feeling like a winner after making a valiant return to the show Tuesday. She and partner Tony Dovolani were forced to forfeit the competition ahead of Week 3 after the reality star suffered a transient ischemic attack, or TIA, upon returning home from practice in Los Angeles. The news was devastating for Zolciak, 37, but she promised to get back to dancing somehow.

As was reported by E! News, after returning for one final performance in the Season 21 finale, the star of Bravo's "Don't Be Tardy" was asked about returning to the ballroom after undergoing heart surgery. Clearly emotional Kim revealed to fans that she was "choked up" about dancing in the finale, adding that she loves the show more than she realized. She told viewers she couldn't believe she'd been able to return to the show after having her surgery just three weeks prior, but said that she was elated. Kim said she put a lot of "pressure" on herself after being removed from "DWTS" and it all paid off.

"I really got choked up being there and being down -- docking down [near that genie bottle] -- and realizing I'm back. I really love the show. I didn't think I was going to love it like I did. To have a stroke and heart surgery three weeks ago and be back here -- it's like nothing else matters," she said. "I don't care if I just twirled around on the stage -- I don't care! I remember just eight weeks ago the pressure I put on myself just to be perfect."

Although Kim appears to be in good health she realizes that slowing down may be in her best interest. She revealed to E! that she plans to take a break from filming and other business ventures in the coming months. Kim hopes the time off will allow her husband Kroy Biermann to focus on football. She plans to return to work in January, when she'll begin filming for Season 5 of "Don't Be Tardy."

Kim's heart surgery took place Oct. 27. After the procedure she uploaded a selfie, revealing to fans that it had been "a success." She wrote that she could "not wait" to be back to 100 percent, adding that the last few months had been "quite the whirlwind." Kim learned that she had to have to surgery shortly after her Sept. 24 TIA.

After the attack, also known as a mini-stroke, she was forced to exit "DWTS." Her officially departure came Sept. 28, the show's third week of competitions. Despite her and her partner's desire to return, the show revealed to viewers that it was against the rules and they would have to sit the remainder of the season out. Fans rallied behind Kim and Dovolani, 42, tweeting about how much they wanted them to return.

See Kim's full emotional interview below: