Frequently Trendy Coverstar and runway favourites Bella Hadid It has become fashion famous online with praise from top designers and millions of fans. But the 28-year-old, behind the charm, faces years of pain from his ongoing battle with Lyme disease. Bella first published her diagnosis in 2016. Yolanda Hadid,clearly The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Her two children were also dealing with the disease.
In 2023, Bella returned from modeling to intensive care, and later shared a hopeful update, but the health struggle continues. Recently, she posted a series of hospital selfies on Instagram, mitigating concerns among fans and reminding everyone how tough the journey is.
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Keep reading and continue to learn everything about her illness, how Bella is doing today, and more.
Bella Hadid diagnosed with Lyme disease
The style icon was not published in her health condition until 2016, but she was first diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2013, according to Yolanda’s official bravo blog. In the post, the proud mothers of three discussed how her health became an ongoing conversation. A real housewife Franchise, but she also wrote about Bella and her son, Anwar Hadid‘state.
“Bella and Anwar were diagnosed at the end of 2013 and have been treated extensively overall since then,” the television personality wrote at the time. “It is very common for multiple families to be affected by Lyme disease. My kids and I have lived at a Santa Barbara horse farm for 10 years and spent most of our time in nature.” Later in the post, Yolanda revealed that she wanted to dream of her daughter (later 16 years old) becoming a professional equestrian.
“Bella had to give up on her lifelong dream of having a professional riding career and Olympic shot because of her serious symptoms and inability to ride,” Bella’s mother continued. “This was the biggest heartbreak of her life and a very sensitive subject for her. She is resilient and focuses in a new direction. She made her name in the modeling industry while suffering from chronic Lyme symptoms every day.”
What is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is a vector-borne disease. In other words, according to the official CDC website, when bitten or stabbed by a “blood-ingesting arthropod”, it is contracted by humans. These arthropods include mosquitoes, mites and fleas, affecting approximately 30,000 people per year in the United States, according to the health agency’s website. Common methods of treating Lyme disease include rounds of antibiotics or overall therapy.
People suffering from Lyme disease often report chronic pain, fatigue, fever, chills, headaches, muscle and joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes. The CDC also reports that approximately 70-80% of infected people can develop a rash known as erythema (EM) rash. Furthermore, many cases of this condition can be cured with oral antibiotics for several weeks, but experience post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLD). PTLD can include symptoms of pain, fatigue, and brain fog.
How sick was Bella Hadid?
Bella was diagnosed with Lyme disease around the age of 16. In other words, she had it for about ten years of her life. Following a mother’s blog post about her and her child’s health, Bella was recognized at the New York City Gala (see here) at the Global Lime Alliance’s second annual “Lime Free World Unity” Gala in October 2016. At the event, she gave a powerful speech about what it’s like to be diagnosed with Lyme disease, and “shooted” her in her teenage years.
“I know where you came from, you’re not alone,” Bella told the audience and those suffering from illness. “My teenager was taken away from me. I was forced to start homeschooling in my sophomore year of high school. Of course, I wanted to go with friends and didn’t want to do it because I wanted to go to a party.” In a speech, she also revealed that she had to “give up” her riding career for treatment.
“It was my dream of my life and it was something I did every day until I just stopped and realized I had no brain power to ride a horse anymore, so that was over,” she added. “Anxiety and brain fog aren’t worth it, so you don’t want to get out of bed from bone pain or fatigue, or you don’t want to be around people, or you know what day it’s at the end of being around people. For many years of this you’ll become accustomed to illness, heal, and start to get used to illness rather than going through life.”
How about Bella Hadid today?
@babybella777 ♬ Original Sound – Bellahadid
Over the past few years, the Runway Queen has taken her to social media to get a glimpse into what it looks like to fight this disease in her daily life. Bella shared several images in February 2021 that she was obsessed with IV. “Living with some chronic autoimmune disorders = always find time for my IV,” she captioned the carousel in the photo.
Bella decorated the cover Trendy In April 2022, we used an interview with the Fashion Outlet to shed light on Lyme disease and her personal health struggles. “For three years while I was working, I woke up alone, hysterically, crying every morning,” the outlet said at the time. “I won’t show anyone. I’ll go to work, cry at lunch in my little greenery, finish my day, I go to a random little hotel for the night, cry again, wake up in the morning, do the same thing.”
In early 2023, Bella went to Tiktok, especially in the morning, as she was not wearing makeup, and she shared a video of her struggle with anxiety. “Good morning. I don’t know if I said this before, but I have some of the worst morning worries,” she said at the start of the February 2023 clip.
@babybella777 #ScreamMovie
♬ Original Sound – Bellahadid
Then, on April 1, 2023, Bella shared another update on her health via Tiktok. “Tooth in question. Please arrest her,” she captioned the video. “I had a low grade infection under my teeth and thought I was suffering next to my teeth (she’s good) (she’s good). It was something I got a root canal a year ago. It caused a low grade infection in my jaw. I needed this tooth for months to heal this tooth.
She also urged her followers to be aware of her health. “Please give me my friend!!!” Bella continued. “This has sparked Lyme, meaning Lyme is attacking places that are suffering from teeth, jaw, men, brain, spine, bones, etc. She finds herself doing ‘alright’ and goes around the antibiotics to help her.
After announcing a break from modeling, Bella’s sister Gigi shared a photo of the two on her Instagram story on June 26, 2023. The post thrilled fans, but Gigi explained in her Instagram Story on August 1, 2023 that she was commenting on her sister’s health. “Bella has just finished a long, intense treatment for Lyme disease,” she wrote, noting that she does not want her followers to take it as a promise to attend the show next season. “I’m so proud of her and every time I feel she’s ready I’m excited about her comeback.”
On August 6, 2023, Bella went to Instagram to reveal the happy news that she was “finally healthy” and shared her medical form and photos of her snapshots throughout her long health journey. “I’ve suffered little, I’m sure I’ll be proud of myself as an adult for not giving up on myself. I maintain all my medical records, stick to me, never leave my side, protect or support, but I believe in me more than anything, I believe in this,” she wrote in the caption.
“I’m exacerbating my time and work while trying to hit me in ways that I can’t really explain to people who live in this state and are proud of myself, my family, and the people who support me,” she continued. “Making the most blessing/privilege/opportunity/love around me saddled and sick was probably the most confusing thing. One of the things I want to express to you is 1: I’m fine, there’s no need to worry. 2: I won’t change anything for the world. Today.”
“The universe works in the most painful and beautiful way, but if you’re struggling, you need to say it gets better,” she added. “I promise. Take a step away, get stronger, believe in your path, walk your truth, the clouds begin to clear. I am very grateful for life, and have had over 100 days of lyme, chronic illness, co-infection treatment, and nearly 15 years of invisible suffering. As painful as this experience, the most positive photo I can do is because the outcome was the most enlightening experience of my life filled with new friends, new visions, new brains.”
The courageous influencer continued to thank the “patience” of the company she worked for, her doctors and nurses, agents, and the rest of her supporters who checked in. “I’ll come back when I’m ready. I’ll miss you. I love you so much,” she finished the post.