Yolanda Hadid pens heartfelt note as Bella battles chronic neurological Lyme disease

Yolanda Hadid, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum, publicly addressed her daughter Bella Hadid’s ongoing battle with chronic neurological Lyme disease, sharing a heartfelt message and a series of hospital photos. The post, published on Thursday, underscored the emotional toll of an illness many describe as invisible, and it described the pain of watching a loved one struggle in silence. The elder Hadid urged patience and resilience while signaling that the family remains focused on Bella’s health journey.

'As you will understand watching my Bella struggle in silence, has cut the deepest core of hopelessness inside me,' the note began, before describing the disease as 'the invisible disability of chronic neurological Lyme disease' that is hard to explain. Yolanda said she has tried to lead by example on their Lyme journey but that her own pain cannot compare to Bella’s suffering. She added that after many years she stopped sharing her personal story to focus on healing, yet she remains determined to push for a cure affordable for all. In a separate line, she told Bella she is the CEO of her health and vowed to share what they have learned with the Lyme community once lab results reflect progress. A personal line to her daughter followed: 'You are relentless and courageous' and 'You didn’t really live, you learned how to exist inside the jail of your own paralyzed brain.' The note concluded with a pledge to stand by Bella through every setback and a hopeful outlook that miracles can happen every day.

The day’s messages also pointed to Bella’s ongoing medical battle. On Wednesday, she posted about the struggle to balance public life with medical treatment, sharing a montage of moments from an overseas hospital where she was seen receiving intravenous therapy and breathing with the aid of an oxygen tube. In that post, the Vogue cover girl wrote, 'I’m sorry I always go MIA I love you guys,' and asked followers for continued patience and support as she navigates treatment. The accompanying images showed Bella in a hospital room with IV lines, a blood-collection setup, and moments of emotional weight, painting a raw picture of a disease that can be both consuming and isolating.

Bella’s sister Gigi Hadid quickly offered her support in the comments, writing, 'I love you! I hope you feel as strong and good as you deserve, soon!!!!!!' The response from fans was empathetic, with many messages wishing Bella strength and recovery. Several high-profile figures also engaged with the posts by clicking like, including Kourtney Kardashian, Candice Swanepoel, Helena Christensen, and Elle Macpherson, signaling widespread attention to the family’s health journey.

Bella’s own updates have long reflected the gravity of living with Lyme disease. In the days leading up to her mother’s post, she had shared a series of photographs from a recent treatment cycle, including images of IV lines and what appeared to be a port for transfusions or blood draws. One photo showed her with an IV attached to her neck, while another captured a moment of sadness, with a crying expression and a head wrap. In the caption, she acknowledged the emotional and physical toll of the disease, writing that she hoped her followers would understand the gravity of her condition while expressing gratitude for those who remained by her side.

The public exchange comes as Bella has documented her journey for years, including personal records and medical notes that trace back to her 2013 diagnosis and earlier. In 2014, her medical records referenced fatigue, cognitive concerns, sleep disruption, and other symptoms associated with Lyme disease, with later entries suggesting bacterial involvement common to the Lyme complex. In 2023, she shared a more expansive look at her ordeal, presenting a scrapbook of medical documents, treatment notes, and reflections on resilience. The posts together portray a patient who has endured long stretches of treatment while maintaining her professional commitments and public image.

The family’s updates come against a broader backdrop of Lyme disease awareness. Lyme is caused by a bacteria transmitted through tick bites; early symptoms typically include fever, fatigue, headache, and a rash, while untreated infection can progress to more serious neurological and cardiac complications. Standard treatment often involves antibiotics, but experts caution that Lyme can become a chronic, multisystem condition for some patients, leading to long-term health challenges. The Center for Disease Control notes that prompt diagnosis and treatment reduce the risk of severe complications, though there is ongoing scientific discussion about the full spectrum of post-treatment syndromes. In the posts, Yolanda and Bella have emphasized perseverance, the importance of access to effective care, and the need for ongoing research to improve outcomes for patients with chronic Lyme disease.

As the family continues to navigate this difficult period, Yolanda’s message and Bella’s updates underscore the emotional weight carried by those living with chronic Lyme disease and their loved ones. The Hadids have long been open about their health struggles with Lyme, turning attention to the disease’s impact on daily life, work, and family. In closing, Bella signaled resilience and optimism, telling followers that she will return when she is ready and expressing gratitude for the support that has carried her through each month of treatment. The public conversation around their experience highlights the ongoing challenges of diagnosing and treating chronic Lyme disease, as well as the enduring strength of a family rallying around a loved one’s health.