We know her as the jaw-dropping international supermodel, the kind-hearted fashionista, our Palestinian activist/queen. But behind this earth angel’s radiant smile, Bella Hadid hides a grueling health battle with Lyme disease, one that has taken a toll on her professional and personal life.
Via @bellahadid on Instagram
Bella Hadid’s health journey with Lyme disease…
Affecting Bella Hadid’s mom Yolanda as well as her brother Anwar, Lyme disease has unfortunately become an inescapable family affair. In her capacity as the 2016 Global Lyme Alliance Gala honoree, Bella paid tribute to all the teenagers affected by the disease, sharing, “I would like to dedicate this award to all the teenagers out there that have gone through what I’m going through and have suffered from this disease without an end in sight.”
The 26-year-old supermodel tearfully recounted what growing up with the taxing disease was like, sharing that it caused her to miss out on mundane yet formative adventures that most adolescents take for granted. Unscathed by the illness, her sister Gigi Hadid was seen crying in the audience, commiserating with her family’s harrowing health battle.
After her unexpected breakup with former boyfriend Marc Kalman, Bella Hadid decided to take some time off to focus on her physical and mental health. And just yesterday, the model took to Instagram to give her supporters a much-needed update following her Lyme disease treatment program.
“Living in this state, worsening with time and work while trying to make myself, my family and the people who support me, proud, had taken a toll on me in ways I can’t really explain,” shared Bella. “To be that sad and sick with the most blessings/privilege/opportunity/love around me was quite possibly the most confusing thing ever.”
Via @bellahadid on Instagram
This isn’t the first time that Bella Hadid has been vocal about her health struggles on Instagram. By its very nature, the disease pathologically affects Bella’s day-to-day life, inevitably coercing her to for disclose some of her most vulnerable moments. Unable to suppress her pain at times, Bella has vulnerably shared several Instagram posts portraying the lowest points of her health journey.
Via @bellahadid on Instagram
But what didn’t kill Bella has certainly made her stronger. Practicing gratitude in spite of her suffering, Bella Hadid reminded her followers that her illness has gifted her a profoundly positive and faith-based perspective on life.
The supermodel expressed, “The universe works in the most painful and beautiful ways but I need to say that if you are struggling- it will get better. I promise. take a step away, stay strong, have faith in your path, walk in your truth and the clouds will start to clear up. I have so much gratitude for and perspective on life , this 100+ days of Lyme, chronic disease , co infection treatment, almost 15 years of invisible suffering, was all worth it if I’m able to, God willing, have a lifetime of spreading love from a full cup, and being able to truly be myself, For the first time ever.”
Via @bellahadid on Instagram
Lyme disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. Justin Bieber and Avril Lavigne are also affected by the disease.
We wish Bella and the entire Hadid family strength and healing on their health journey moving forward.