On 18/9, former model Yolanda Hadid, 61, shared a moving Instagram post featuring photos of Bella in a hospital bed, along with a heartfelt message about her daughter's recent health struggles. She compared watching Bella "silently struggle" with the illness to experiencing a pain that "cuts to the core of a mother’s soul." She emphasized the difficulty of explaining the invisible impairments that Lyme disease inflicts.
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Yolanda Hadid expressed pride in her daughter, promising to stand by her and believing in a brighter future. Photo: Instagram/ Bella Hadid |
Yolanda Hadid expressed pride in her daughter, promising to stand by her and believing in a brighter future. Photo: Instagram/ Bella Hadid
According to People, Yolanda Hadid also suffers from Lyme disease, having been diagnosed in 2012. Since then, she has strived to be a beacon of hope for fellow patients. However, she now admits her own pain pales in comparison to witnessing her daughter's suffering. She calls Bella a warrior and a survivor of a long battle against the disease.
An excerpt from her letter reads: "To my beautiful Bellita, you are resilient and brave. No child deserves to endure a chronic, incurable illness within their body. I admire your courage and determination to continue fighting for your health despite failed treatments and countless obstacles. There are no words to describe the darkness, pain, and endless abyss you have lived in since your diagnosis in 2013. To me, you haven't just lived, you have learned to exist within the confines of a numbed brain."
Yolanda Hadid's post came a day after Bella shared photos of her treatment, apologizing for her recent absence from the public eye. Alongside images of herself, she posted pictures of landscapes, sunsets, rainbows, the moon, and leisure activities. Her sister, supermodel Gigi Hadid, commented, "I love you. I hope you feel better soon because you deserve it."
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Bella Hadid remains optimistic despite her health challenges. Photo: Instagram/ Bella Hadid |
Bella Hadid remains optimistic despite her health challenges. Photo: Instagram/ Bella Hadid
This isn't the first time the 29-year-old model has opened up about her health. In 2023, she recounted her fight with the disease, sharing medical records from 2/2014. At 18, Bella Hadid faced numerous challenges, including fatigue, lack of concentration, memory problems, depression, sleep disturbances, headaches, and joint pain. In a 2020 interview with the Evening Standard, she described an incident where she suddenly forgot how to drive from her Malibu home to Santa Monica.
Also in 2023, Bella took a break from modeling, moving to Texas to start a new life with her boyfriend, 37-year-old cowboy Adan Banuelos. She dedicated herself to "learning to love herself" after years of battling Lyme disease and its psychological effects. The supermodel returned to the catwalk in 9/2024.
According to the Boston Public Health Commission: "Lyme disease is a bacterial illness transmitted to humans and animals through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks that live on deer. The disease can cause damage to the joints, nervous system, meningitis, and facial paralysis. These symptoms can persist for months, often progressing from mild to severe." Other celebrities who have also battled Lyme disease include Justin Bieber, Ben Stiller, Amy Schumer, and Justin Timberlake.
Born in 1996, Bella Hadid is of Dutch and Palestinian descent. The model is known for her captivating presence and photoshoots showcasing her physique. In 2016, Bella was honored at the Model of the Year awards. She and her sister, Gigi, are among the most famous models in the industry.
Bella Hadid on the catwalk from 2012 to 2021. Video: Passion For Fashion, A Fashion
Phuong Thao (People, Los Angeles Times)
