Bella Hadid Battles Lyme Disease
Yolanda Hadid — mother of supermodel Bella Hadid — calls her daughter a true warrior, bravely enduring years of struggle with Lyme disease.
On September 18, the 61-year-old former model moved fans on Instagram by posting a series of photos of Bella in a hospital bed, along with a heartfelt message about her daughter’s recent health challenges. Watching Bella quietly wrestle with her illness, Yolanda admitted the pain was unbearable. She said it was nearly impossible to explain or help others understand the invisible impairments that Lyme disease brings.
According to People, Yolanda herself was diagnosed with Lyme in 2012. Since then, she has tried to be a role model for others living with the same condition. But now, she confessed that her own suffering is nothing compared to the agony of watching her daughter go through it. In her message, she called Bella a fighter and a survivor, enduring years of relentless battle against the illness.
From her open letter: “To my beautiful Bellita, you are strong and courageous. No child deserves to live with an incurable chronic disease inside their body. I admire your bravery and determination to keep fighting for your health, despite failed treatments and countless obstacles. There are no words large enough to describe the darkness, pain, and endless hell you’ve endured since your 2013 diagnosis. To me, you haven’t just lived with this — you’ve learned to exist within the prison of a paralyzed brain.”
Yolanda’s post came a day after Bella herself shared photos from her treatment, apologizing for not being present in the public eye. Alongside images of herself, she posted landscapes, sunsets, rainbows, the moon, and moments of leisure. Her sister, model Gigi Hadid, commented: “I love you. I hope you feel better soon because you truly deserve it.”
This is not the first time the 29-year-old has spoken openly about her health. In 2023, she shared medical records dating back to February 2014, revealing her long battle with Lyme. At just 18, Bella faced constant fatigue, memory lapses, depression, insomnia, headaches, and joint pain. In a 2020 interview with the Evening Standard, she recalled suddenly forgetting how to drive from her Malibu home to Santa Monica.
Also in 2023, Bella stepped away from modeling and relocated to Texas to begin a new life with her partner, 37-year-old cowboy Adan Banuelos. She focused on “learning to love herself” after years of being tormented by Lyme disease and related mental health struggles. She returned to the runway in September 2024.
According to the Boston Public Health Commission: “Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted through bites from infected deer ticks. It can damage joints and the nervous system, causing meningitis, facial paralysis, and other symptoms. These can last for months and often progress from mild to severe.” Other celebrities diagnosed with the illness include Justin Bieber, Ben Stiller, Amy Schumer, and Justin Timberlake.
Born in 1996, Bella Hadid has Dutch and Palestinian roots. Known for her striking looks and glamorous image, she quickly rose to fame in the modeling world. In 2016, she was named Model of the Year. Alongside her sister Gigi, she remains one of the most recognized figures in fashion.