The entertainment world lost a bright, young star this week. Zuza Beine, an influencer who touched many hearts online, passed away at just 14 years old. She fought a relentless battle with cancer for 11 years.
Her family shared the sad news on Instagram this past Tuesday, September 23. "With broken hearts, we share that Zuza passed away yesterday morning," they wrote. "She lived 11 of her 14 years with unforgiving cancer." Despite her illness, they added, she lived a fuller, more grateful life than most people do. Her presence changed them forever, and her absence will too.
Just two days before her passing became public, Zuza shared a video on her Instagram. She had gathered more than 1.8 million followers online. In the video, she talked about how her diagnosis made her truly thankful for everyday things. These were simple pleasures many often forget, like "being able to taste the most delicious foods" or "being able to try different hairstyles."
"It’s no accident to us that the last video she made reflected what she was grateful for," her family continued on Tuesday. "It’s a testament to a life filled with both beauty and suffering." More than anything, Zuza just wanted to be a normal, healthy child. But what made her life so beautiful was how she learned to face the hardest times, like her illness, and still live fully.
Zuza’s family has asked that instead of sending flowers, people consider donating through GoFundMe. These donations will go to support her late uncle’s wife and children.
The comments section of the family’s post quickly filled with messages of sympathy. Among those sending condolences was Melissa Gilbert, known for her role in Little House on the Prairie.
"I am so very sorry to hear this," Gilbert wrote. "Zuza was and always will be a huge inspiration to me personally." She described Zuza as "a ray of light and beauty." Gilbert praised her as "honest, direct, and authentic. She was brave, kind, and open." The world will feel emptier without her, Gilbert added. "My love to her family and all who knew and loved her. There is no more pain, Zuza, for you now there is only beauty and peace."
Zuza, who was part of the Glow House creators group, had always been open about her fight. She lived with acute myeloid leukemia. Her Instagram bio stated she had beaten the disease five times. She also underwent three bone marrow transplants.
In the days leading up to her death, Zuza shared a series of raw clips. These showed her crying, along with photos of herself in the hospital. "My daily life has been like this for the last 11 years," she wrote. "I think I’ll be okay if you don’t like me." She captioned the post, "I can barely walk right now, I’m in so much pain."