'Fierce and sweet' influencer Zuza Beine dies of cancer aged 14 after being diagnosed aged just three
A 14-year-old teenage girl has died after an 11 year battle with cancer.
Social media star Zuza Beine, who won millions of fans online for sharing her cancer journey online, died on Monday morning, (September 22).
Her family announced her death in a statement published on the late star’s Instagram page yesterday, Tuesday September 23. "It is with broken hearts that we share that Zuza died yesterday morning," they wrote. "She lived 11 of her 14 years with a relentless cancer, yet lived more fully and gratefully than most. Her being changed us forever, and her dying will too."
Zuza had been sharing her health updates on Instagram for the past few years. She regularly posted videos, often Get Ready With Me (GRWM) videos, in which she spoke candidly about how the cancer was impacting her.
She posted about struggling with relentless pain six days before her death. In a video shared on Thursday September 16, she said: “I’m constantly on pain medicine because my body hurts so, so, so bad.” Then, one day later, she posted a video with the caption “I can barely walk right now I’m in so much pain.”
Her final video came on Sunday September 21, just one day before she died. She spoke about her gratitude for "the tiny things." Her family spoke about this video in their statement, saying "It is no coincidence to us that the last video she made captures what she was grateful for — a testament to a life filled with both beauty and suffering.” They added: "More than anything, she wanted to be a normal, healthy kid. But what made her life so beautiful was how she learned to face the hardest circumstances, like her disease, and still live fully."
Many of Zuza’s two million followers wrote their own messages of condolence and tribute on the post. “Sending you all love and prayers! Zuza was so fierce and sweet,” one person said. Another wrote: “We’ll miss you sweet Zuza. Thank you for showing us what it means to have strength and bravery in this life. We hope you’re at peace and playing with all the dolls your heart desires! Sending so much love to your loved ones during this time. Live everyday like Zuza!”
A third penned: “I genuinely looked forward to each n every one of her videos. i am beyond sorry for your loss. rest in peace gorgeous girl, your light will always shine through.”