The world has lost a bright star.
Zuza Beine, the influencer known for showing her courageous battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), has died. She was 14.
“It is with broken hearts that we share that Zuza died yesterday morning,” a statement written by members of her family read on a Sept. 23 Instagram post, alongside a picture of the teen smiling on the beach. “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.”
“It is no coincidence to us that the last video she made captures what she was grateful for—a testament to a life filled with both beauty and suffering,” the post continued. “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.”
Zuza—who was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 3—recently shared a post reflecting on the brighter moments of her life.
In the video shared on Sept. 20 on Instagram, Zuza said it was the “everyday things that many people often take for granted” that stuck with her, as she shared a slideshow of pictures eating various meals, posing with friends and family and trying different hairstyles.
Days earlier, Zuza—who had shared honest updates about the ups and downs of her health battle—shared that she recently hadn’t been feeling “the best physically and mentally.”
“I’ve been in so much pain lately,” she continued in the Sept. 18 video shared on Instagram. “I’m constantly on pain medicine because my body hurts so, so, so bad.”
Zuza shared that she stayed in the hospital for two days after needing IV pain medicine. However, she was able to be released and receive the care at home. Amid all the pain, Zuza had a message for users who said that her content was “all about her cancer.”
“I’m living with pain constantly on a daily basis and that’s what my life looks like,” she said. “It’s not always pretty and it’s not always cute because I’m real with you guys and this is what my life looks like.”
Zuza ended her message with optimism that her followers would see more of her soon.
“I’m hoping to feel better soon,” she said. “But I do apologize if I’m not consistent. I love you guys so much.”
Prior to her death, Zuza shared why it was important for her to use her platform to bring awareness to childhood cancer.
“I started my Instagram because I wanted to share my journey with other people,” Zuza said in an interview with local news station TMJ 4 in Milwaukee in 2023. “And I wanted to help other kids that were going through the same thing as me.”
For a look at Zuza’s life in photos, keep reading.
Zuza’s Final Video
One day before the 14-year-old died on Sept. 22 following a decade-long battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), she expressed gratitude for the best things in her life.
“Being diagnosed with cancer has made me deeply grateful for the everyday things that many people often take for granted,” Zuza wrote on the Sept. 20 Instagram video. “Here are some of the things I’m most thankful for: Being able to taste the most delicious foods, being able to do different hairstyles, my relationships, my animals.”
Get Ready With Zuza
Throughout her journey, Zuza began her day—whether it was to undergo cancer treatment, rest amid painful side effects or spend time with friends and family—by sharing her plans with followers. Indeed, the teen would tell fans to get ready with her, either as she did her skincare or makeup routine, giving a glimpse into her life at that moment.
Living in the Moment
And just like most teenage girls, Zuza was all smiles as she made videos using viral sounds, such as Taylor Swift listing her favorite things about autumn and a scene from Coraline.
Keeping It Real
Although Zuza remained positive throughout her 11-year cancer battle, she also didn’t shy away from sharing her hardest moments.
“My legs are in a lot of pain right now,” she shared in an emotional update in September 2025, two weeks before her passing. “Like such bad pain, I can’t even explain it. I can’t walk without my mom’s assistance. We don’t really know what it’s from.”
“We were expecting that it’s from Leukemia pain, but my bone marrow biopsy results came and my cancer went down like a lot, which is really good,” she continued. “So it’s most likely not from Leukemia. I’m constantly now on pain medication, which barely helps.”
Regular Health Updates
Along with sharing the side effects of her cancer treatment, Zuza shared a glimpse into where her cancer stood. On September 14, 2025, she wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of her brain, “GOOD NEWS: My marrow improved dramatically from 70–90% disease to 30–50% – treatment is working!”
“Severe pain has kept me from walking, then a terrifying 4am seizure (911 call – likely from low magnesium),” she continued. “CT scan showed a small brain bleed and neutropenic colitis explaining the nausea. Labs suggest possible differentiation syndrome – good if it means the compassionate use drug is working, but it makes me feel very sick.”
She concluded the health update, “I’ve got 24/7 support. Please keep the prayers and encouragement coming.”
Bringing Fans Along For the Journey
With Zuza’s constant hospital visits and doctor’s appointments, she filmed her days for viewers to follow along. As she waited for a procedure in an August 2025 Instagram video, she made a LEGO flower bouquet while watching Grey’s Anatomy.
After leaving the hospital, she shared on the screen, “I can only eat soft foods cuz they shoved a breathing tube down my throat during the procedure – imagine how my throat feels now.”
Swiftie For Life
As the 14-year-old navigated her cancer journey, she remained a loyal Swiftie. In fact, when Taylor announced her Life of a Showgirl album in August, Zuza showed off her favorite merch with Ice Spice‘s audio, “Shout out to Taylor motherf–king Swift. I love you!”
She wrote on the screen, “me cuz taylor announced a new album.”
