Updated October 19, 2026, 4:47 p.m. ET
Model Sahara Ray has died at the age of 34.
The Australian native, who was once romantically involved with celebrities like Justin Bieber and Cody Simpson, died over the weekend, her family told TMZ in a statement released Monday (Oct. 19). The cause of death has not been revealed.
“She died last night surrounded by her family at the hospital,” the family said. “She was so loved.”
When Ray’s death was announced, tributes poured in on social media.
Model Becky Hearn remembered her late friend with several photos of the two on her Instagram Stories, writing: “I will always love you my sweet soul ❤️❤️❤️.”
Who was Sahara Ray? Model lived in rare condition
Ray was the daughter of famous Australian surfer Tony Ray and rose to fame as a model and influencer. She also owned a swimwear brand, Sahara Ray Swim, which she launched over a decade ago.
In 2024, Ray revealed to her followers that she was living with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks nerves, causing symptoms such as weakness, numbness or paralysis, according to the Mayo Clinic.
“It’s really hard to deal with, and I’ve tried to keep a good attitude and hope that my feelings will come back, but there’s always a chance that it stays that way,” she said at the time, adding that she was paralyzed “from the top of my thighs to the top of my feet” and was “mostly in a wheelchair” because she couldn’t “walk at all.”
Ray said she developed the condition after being hit by a car in April 2024 and developing an infection while recovering. The Mayo Clinic states that although the exact cause of Guillain-Barré is unknown, two-thirds of people experience symptoms of infection in the six weeks before Guillain-Barré symptoms begin.
She appeared to regain her ability to walk in the months that followed, and she became pregnant with her first child – a daughter named Snow – who she welcomed in January. She has documented motherhood on her social media, with her last Instagram post in July featuring a series of photos of the baby girl.
“With all my heart 🤍 baby Snow,” Ray wrote in the caption.
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