Zuza Beine, 14-year-old cancer influencer, dies after 11-year battle
Family says she lived 11 of her 14 years with leukemia and inspired millions online
Zuza Beine, a Wisconsin native who documented her near-lifelong battle with leukemia on Instagram and TikTok, has died. The 14-year-old died Monday morning after an 11-year fight with acute myeloid leukemia, a cancer that stems from bone marrow. Her family announced the death on her social media pages, posting a photo and saying she lived with courage and gratitude.
Diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at age 3, Zuza appeared to have beaten the cancer five times before it returned. She battled leukemia for 11 years and underwent three bone marrow transplants and rounds of chemotherapy. The teenager amassed millions of followers on social platforms by sharing her journey, often showing sobbing through the pain and resilience in the face of ongoing treatment. Her Instagram profile, @zuzas_way_to_healing, served as a central hub for updates and reflections as she navigated hospital stays and recoveries.
In a message posted by her family, they reflected on her attitude and impact: "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," according to the posts on her accounts. They added, "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."
As Zuza’s illness progressed, she shared updates about the toll of treatment and her search for normalcy. Just days before her death, she wrote about feeling particularly ill after a two-day hospital stay, noting that she was in substantial physical and mental pain and relied on medicine to cope. In her final social media messages, she expressed gratitude for everyday moments that many people take for granted: "Being diagnosed with cancer has made me deeply grateful for the everyday things that many people often take for granted." The family has not released additional details about the exact cause of death.
The teen’s passing highlights the growing role of young, health-focused creators in the broader influencer economy. Her story underscores how platforms such as Instagram and TikTok have become formative channels for sharing personal health journeys, raising awareness about pediatric cancer, and mobilizing philanthropic support. Brands, charities, and advocacy groups increasingly monitor and engage with youth voices who can translate intimate experiences into widespread awareness and community action, even as the content sometimes involves difficult, emotionally charged moments. While Zuza’s posts focused on her battle, the reach of her story exemplifies how a single individual can influence conversations around illness, resilience, and gratitude in the digital age.
Her family’s public notes confirm the depth of their loss and gratitude for the years she lived with a fighting spirit. They said she touched countless people and inspired others to approach life with courage, optimism, and a willingness to face hardship head-on. The posts and public tributes reflect a broader conversation about pediatric cancer and the ways families use social media to document medical journeys, advocate for research, and provide support to others in similar circumstances.
The obituary-like confirmation of Zuza Beine’s death closes a chapter on a medical battle that drew international attention and highlighted how a teenager could turn personal suffering into a communal platform for empathy and awareness. As the family continues to process their loss, her online legacy endures in the millions of followers who connected with her honesty and perseverance, a reminder of the human stories behind the numbers in the health and life sciences sphere.
