Bella Hadid Shares Insight Amidst Lyme Disease Battle

NEW YORK, NY — Bella Hadid opened up about her ongoing battle with Lyme disease on Instagram, expressing the challenges she faces with the chronic illness. On Friday, the supermodel shared a poignant quote reflecting her experiences: “When your chronic illness is chronic illness-ing and someone says ‘it’s always something with you’ like…yes…one might say the illness is…chronic.”

Hadid also re-shared a post from influencer Alexandra Wildeson titled “The Duality of life with chronic illness.” She wrote, “The medical anxiety is soooooo real,” thanking Wildeson for articulating her feelings. The supermodel, who last month modeled heavy wings at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, has battled the illness since her diagnosis in 2013.

In photos shared in September, Hadid appeared in distress, with some images showing her hooked up to an IV in a hospital bed. Other snapshots included her in a Pikachu onesie and a late-night pizza dinner in the hospital. “I’m sorry I always go MIA I love you guys,” she captioned a post from her hospital stay.

Her mother, Yolanda Hadid, members of the family, remarked on Bella’s struggle, calling her a “Lyme warrior”. During this difficult time, Yolanda shared emotional photos, stating, “As you will understand watching my Bella struggle in silence, has cut the deepest core of hopelessness inside me.” She praised Bella’s bravery and noted her fight against the disease.

Yolanda, who also suffers from Lyme disease, has been a vocal advocate for raising awareness about the condition, promising at the Global Lyme Alliance Gala in 2015 that she would support her children through their pain. “This award is for Anwar and Bella,” she said. “This is my token and my promise to you that I will not allow you to live a life of pain and suffering.”