Teen influencer Zuza Beine dies after 11-year battle with leukemia

Zuza Beine, a Wisconsin-based teen influencer, has died after an 11-year battle with acute myeloid leukemia. She was 14. The family announced her death on social media on Sept. 24, 2025, saying she died that morning after a long illness.

Diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at age three, Beine underwent three bone marrow transplants and multiple rounds of chemotherapy. Acute myeloid leukemia starts in the bone marrow and moves quickly into the blood, according to Cancer.org. She documented her life and treatment on Instagram and TikTok, beginning the Instagram account @Zuzas_Way_To_Healing in 2020, and built an audience that surpassed two million followers. Her posts ranged from health updates to get-ready-with-me videos and dances with friends. She was also part of TikTok’s Glow House, a group for young women who focus on positive messaging.

In the final weeks, Beine spoke candidly about pain and a seizure, and she acknowledged the toll of treatment on both body and mind. Her last videos emphasized gratitude for everyday things — food, friendships, family, animals, and the different hairstyles she could try because of chemotherapy.

Her family posted messages on social media to thank supporters and to share that she had hoped to be a normal, healthy kid. They also noted that the GoFundMe page set up to help the family of her recently deceased uncle had raised roughly $80,000.