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<p id "content-paragraph-" content-paragraph-"Frequent Vogue cover star and runway favorite Bella Hadid has become a household name in fashion, admired by top designers and millions of fans online.
But behind the glamour, the 28-year-old has faced years of pain from her ongoing battle with Lyme disease. Bella first went public about her diagnosis in 2016—the same year her mom, Yolanda Hadid, revealed on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills that two of her children were dealing with the disease too.
<p id "content-paragraph-" content-paragraph-"In 2023, Bella stepped back from modeling to undergo intensive treatment and later shared a hopeful update, but health struggles have persisted.
Recently, she posted a series of hospital selfies on Instagram, reigniting concern among her fans and reminding everyone how tough the journey has been.
<p id "content-paragraph-" content-paragraph-"Keep reading to learn all about her disease, how Bella is doing today, and more.
Bella Hadid Diagnosed With Lyme Disease
<p id "content-paragraph-" content-paragraph-"Although the style icon did not go public with her health condition until 2016, she was first diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2013, per Yolanda’s official Bravo blog.
In the post, the proud mother-of-three discussed how her health became an ongoing conversation on The Real Housewives franchise, but she also wrote about Bella and her son, Anwar Hadid‘s condition.
<p id "content-paragraph-" content-paragraph-"“Bella and Anwar were diagnosed at the end of 2013 and have been in extensive holistic treatment ever since,” the TV personality wrote at the time.
“It’s very common for multiple family members to be affected by Lyme disease.
The children and I lived on a horse ranch in Santa Barbara for 10 years and spent the majority of our time outside in nature.” Later in the post, Yolanda revealed that her daughter, then 16, had to forego her dream of becoming a professional equestrian.
<p id "content-paragraph-" content-paragraph-"“Bella had to give up her lifelong dream of having a professional riding career and a shot at the Olympics due to her severe symptoms and inability to ride,” Bella’s mom continued.
“This was the biggest heartbreak of her life and an extremely sensitive subject for her.
She is resilient and focused on a new direction–she’s made a name for herself in the modeling industry while she struggles with symptoms of chronic Lyme every day.”
What Is Lyme Disease?
<p id "content-paragraph-" content-paragraph-"Lyme disease is a vector-borne disease, meaning it is contracted by humans when bitten or stung by “blood-feeding arthropods,” according to the official CDC website.
These arthropods can include mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas, and affects about 30,000 people per year in the United States, per the health organization’s website.
A common way to treat Lyme disease includes rounds of antibiotics or holistic therapies.
<p id "content-paragraph-" content-paragraph-"Those who suffer from Lyme disease often report being in chronic pain, having fatigue, as well as having a fever, chills, headaches, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes.
The CDC also reports that about “70 to 80 percent” of those infected can develop a rash known as Erythema migrans (EM) rash.
More so, many cases of the condition can be cured with a few weeks of oral antibiotics; however, many experience Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS) following treatment.
PTLDS can include symptoms of pain, fatigue, and brain fog.
How Long Has Bella Hadid Been Sick?
<p id "content-paragraph-" content-paragraph-"Bella was diagnosed with Lyme disease when she was around 16 years old, meaning she has had it for about a decade of her life. Following her mother’s blog post about her and her children’s health condition,
Bella was honored at the Oct.2016 Global Lyme Alliance’s second annual “Uniting for a Lyme-Free World” gala in New York City (watch here).
At the event, she gave a powerful speech about what it was like to be diagnosed with Lyme disease and have her teenage years “taken” from her.
<p id "content-paragraph-" content-paragraph-"“I know where you’re coming from; you’re not alone,” Bella told the audience and those who suffer with the illness.
“My teenage years were taken from me.
I was forced to start homeschooling my second year of high school which of course I didn’t want to do because I’d rather go hang out with my friends or go to parties.”
During the speech she also revealed that she had to “give up” her horseback riding career due to her treatments.
<p id "content-paragraph-" content-paragraph-"“It was my dream of my life and what I did every single day until I just stopped and realized I didn’t have the brain power to ride horses anymore so that was the end of that,” she added.
“I know what it feels like to not want to get out of bed from bone pains and exhaustion and days on end of not wanting to socialize or be around people because the anxiety and brain fog just isn’t worth it.
After years of this you begin to get used to living with the sickness instead of getting cured and moving on with your life.”
How Is Bella Hadid Doing Today?
@babybella777
<p id "content-paragraph-" content-paragraph-" ♬ original sound – Bella Hadid
<p id "content-paragraph-" content-paragraph-"For the past few years,
the runway queen has taken to social media to share glimpses of what it looks like to battle this disease in her day-to-day life.
Bella shared images of herself being hooked to an IV in Feb.2021 , which allowed her millions of followers to see what she goes through when she is not working.
“Living with chronic autoimmune disorders = always finding time for my IVs,” she captioned the carousel of photos.
<p id "content-paragraph-" content-paragraph-"Bella graced the cover of Vogue in Apr.2022 and used the interview with the fashion outlet to shed light on Lyme disease and her personal health struggles.
“For three years while I was working I would wake up every morning hysterical in tears alone,” told the outlet at that time.
“I wouldn’t show anybody that.
I would go to work cry at lunch in my little greenroom finish my day go to whatever random little hotel I was in for that night cry again wake up in morning do same thing.”
<p id "content-paragraph-" content-paragraph-"In early2023 , Bella went makeup-free and took to TikTok to share video of her struggles with anxiety particularly in mornings.
“Good morning you guys I don’t know if I’ve said this before but I have worst morning anxiety,” she said at start clip in Feb.2023 .
“What I wanted show you was how stupid feel sometimes when I’m laying here don’t believe it,” she added saying morning affirmations out loud.
@babybella777
<p id "content-paragraph-" content-paragraph="#screammovie”
<p id "content-paragraph-" content-paragraph="- original sound – Bella Hadid
<p id "content-paragraph-" content-paragraph="- April1 , Bella shared another update on health via TikTok.
“The tooth question Arrest her,” she captioned video.
“There was low-grade infection underneath tooth NEXT tooth thought suffering (she’s good) which is one got root canal year ago.
It continued spread down causing low grade infection jaw.
I felt heart months needed tooth out heal rest if not going take me out!”
<p id "content-paragraph-" content-paragraph="- She also urged followers be mindful their own health.
“Please listen your bodies friends please!!!”, Bella continued.
“This made my Lyme flare up which means Lyme attacking places suffering ie tooth jaw guy brain spine bones etc oh entire nervous system.” She noted doing “okay” took round antibiotics help.
<p id "content-paragraph-" content-paragraph="- After announcing break modeling Bella’s sister Gigi shared photo two them Instagram Story June26 .
“Can’t wait comebaccckkkkkk,” wrote post got fans excited Gigi explained commenting sister’s health August1 , Instagram Story.
“Bella just finished long intense treatment Lyme disease,” wrote also noted didn’t want followers take promise she’d shows next season.
“I’m proud excited comeback whenever feels ready.”
<p id "content-paragraph-" content-paragraph="- On August 6 , Bella took Instagram reveal happy news “finally healthy” share photos medical forms snapshots throughout long health journey.
“little me suffered would so proud grown me not giving up myselfThankful mommy keeping all my medical records sticking me never leaving side protecting supporting most all believing me through all this,” wrote caption.
<p id "content-paragraph-" content-paragraph="- “Living state worsening time work trying make family people support proud taken toll me ways can’t really explain,” continued.
“To be sad sick most blessings privilege opportunity love around quite possibly most confusing thing ever one thing want express all am okay do not have worry wouldn’t change anything world If had go through all again get here this exact moment’m right now all you finally healthy would do all again made me who am today.”
<p id "content-paragraph-" content-paragraph="- The universe works most painful beautiful ways need say struggling will get better,” added.
“I promise take step away stay strong have faith your path walk your truth clouds start clear up have much gratitude perspective life this100+ days Lyme chronic disease co infection treatment almost15 years invisible suffering worth able God willing lifetime spreading love full cup being able truly myself first time ever tried pick most positive pictures could painful experience outcome enlightening experience life filled new friends visions new brain.”
<p id "content-paragraph-" content-paragraph="- The courageous influencer went thank patience companies worked doctor nurses agents rest supporters checked on me’ll back when’m ready miss all love so much,” ended post.
