Content creator Zuza Beine died after a more than decade battling cancer, a statement posted to her Instagram account on Tuesday confirmed. She was 14.
“It is with broken hearts that we share that Zuza died yesterday morning,” the statement began. The post also included a photo of Zuza 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.”
The post noted that Zuza’s last video was about things she was grateful for, which the caption called “a testament to a life filled with both beauty and suffering.”
“More than anything, she wanted to be a normal, healthy kid,” the statement continued. “But what made her life so beautiful was how she learned to face the hardest circumstances, like her disease, and still live fully.”
zuzas_way_to_healing/Instagram
The post concluded with a call to donate via GoFundMe to the family of Zuza’s recently deceased uncle.
Zuza was a member of content creator organization Glow House, and had more than 2 million followers on TikTok and 1.9 million on Instagram. Zuza, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at the age of 3 and had three bone marrow transplants, according to her Instagram bio, regularly shared her cancer journey online as well as dance videos and content about her everyday life.
Earlier in September, Zuza shared a “get ready with me” video prior to a procedure she was having at the hospital. While her content was largely positive, she also confronted the reality of cancer, such as in a Sept. 5 post in which she shared how cancer affected everything from her friendships to her mental health to her ability to attend school.
zuzas_way_to_healing/Instagram
Commenters shared their condolences in response to Zuza’s post. One wrote, “There are no words to express how Zuza changed my perspective on life. Although I did not know her, she was a friend. I’m sending you prayers and hugs and my deepest condolences. I know I join others when I say she will truly be missed. We love you Zuza.”
Another said that their heart “sank in disbelief reading this,” calling Zuza’s presence “so warm and welcoming.” “I will miss you popping up on my feed,” the follower continued. “I can’t imagine the loss those that knew you most must feel, I hope their memories of you will bring them comfort.”
Zuza was famously a big fan of Taylor Swift, and on Aug. 12 she posted a video about her excitement over the release of Swift’s upcoming album The Life of a Showgirl, out Oct. 3. In November 2024, Zuza and her family attended the Eras tour.
Leave feedback about this