Quick Read
- Zuza Beine was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at age 3 and fought cancer for 11 years.
- She shared her journey with over 2 million followers on social media, inspiring millions.
- Zuza passed away at 14, just days after her uncle’s unexpected death.
- Her family requested donations to support her uncle’s wife and children via GoFundMe.
- Zuza’s openness helped reshape public understanding of childhood cancer.
Zuza Beine’s Final Chapter: Social Media, Cancer, and Community Support
On September 22, 2025, the online world paused. The news broke across Instagram and TikTok: Zuza Beine, the 14-year-old influencer who had become a beacon of hope for millions, had passed away after a relentless battle with leukemia. It wasn’t just another headline. For those who followed her journey, it felt like losing a friend—one who had let them into her life, pain and all.
Zuza’s story is not just about illness. It’s about courage, family, and the remarkable power of vulnerability in the digital age. Diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at just three years old, Zuza spent most of her childhood fighting for survival. But her fight wasn’t hidden behind hospital walls. Instead, she invited the world in, sharing her everyday reality through videos, posts, and candid moments that resonated far beyond her immediate circle.
From Private Struggle to Public Inspiration: The Rise of Zuza Beine
Zuza’s social media presence began in earnest five years ago. Her first post, managed by her mother, appeared on May 1, 2020: a simple photo of a blood bag accompanied by a request for prayers. From that moment, her online journey took shape. On TikTok, she amassed over 2.4 million followers; on Instagram, nearly 2 million; and on YouTube, more than 93,000 subscribers. She became a member of the Glow House—a collective of Gen Z creators who used their platforms to amplify positive change.
Her content was a blend of raw honesty and youthful exuberance. Between updates on her treatment and hospital visits, Zuza posted ‘Get Ready With Me’ videos, skincare routines, and haul clips. She never shied away from sharing the tough moments, including videos of herself crying after painful treatments that left her unable to walk. Through it all, her gratitude for small joys—friends, pets, and the simplest pleasures—shone through.
The Family’s Double Tragedy: Loss and Solidarity
Zuza’s death was announced on her Instagram by her family, accompanied by a photo of her smiling at the beach. Their message was heartbreakingly direct: “It is with broken hearts that we share that Zuza died yesterday morning. 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.”
Their grief was compounded by another tragedy—Zuza’s uncle, Olaf, had died unexpectedly just days earlier at age 41. Lauren, Zuza’s aunt, suddenly found herself a single mother to two young children. The family’s Instagram post directed followers to a GoFundMe page, asking for support for Lauren and her children instead of flowers for Zuza. As of this writing, the fundraiser has collected $80,000 of its $120,000 goal, with donors leaving messages in Zuza’s memory.
“Olaf’s unexpected and tragic death this week has shaken their family to the core,” reads the fundraiser description. “As a sole provider, Lauren faces many unexpected challenges; some immediately thrust upon her in the wake of heartache and loss and many unknown challenges ahead.” The call for help is not just financial, but communal—donations, meals, groceries, and gift cards are all welcomed.
Influence Beyond Followers: Zuza’s Impact on Cancer Awareness
Zuza’s openness about her battle with AML was unprecedented among young influencers. According to the American Cancer Society, acute myeloid leukemia is a rapidly progressing cancer that starts in the bone marrow and can spread to organs throughout the body. Zuza faced the disease with a resilience that inspired not just her followers, but also celebrities and medical professionals.
Melissa Gilbert, known for her role in “Little House on the Prairie,” paid tribute in the comments: “Zuza was and will always be such an inspiration to me personally. She was a ray of light and beauty. She was honest, forthright and real. She was brave and kind and open. The world will be a dimmer place without her. No more pain Zuza, for you now there is only beauty and peace.”
Throughout her 11-year battle, Zuza survived leukemia five times and underwent three bone marrow transplants. Her last Instagram post—a collage expressing gratitude for life’s little things—was a testament to her outlook. “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,” her family wrote.
What Zuza Beine Leaves Behind: A Model of Empathy and Strength
The loss of Zuza Beine reverberates not just through her family, but through a community of millions. Her story challenges preconceived notions about illness, youth, and social media. She didn’t just raise awareness—she put a human face on statistics, transforming numbers into stories, and stories into action.
In the aftermath, her followers continue to rally around her family and her uncle’s, sending donations, meals, and messages of solidarity. The GoFundMe campaign is a living testament to the bonds she forged between strangers, united by compassion and empathy.
As the online tributes pour in, one thing becomes clear: Zuza’s legacy is not measured in followers or likes, but in the lives she touched and the conversations she started. Her journey reminds us that even in the darkest circumstances, there is room for gratitude, hope, and the possibility of change.
Zuza Beine’s life and death have reframed how we see childhood illness and the power of sharing personal stories. Her openness inspired a global community to not only witness but act, proving that vulnerability—when met with empathy—can ripple outwards and transform hearts, families, and even policy. Her legacy is a challenge to all of us: to see the person behind the diagnosis, and to respond with courage and care.