Bella Hadid Breaks Down as She Reveals the Brutal Reality of Living With Chronic Lyme Disease

Bella Hadid has once again opened up about her ongoing battle with chronic Lyme disease, sharing an emotional series of Instagram Stories on June 25. The 29-year-old supermodel revealed that she is currently experiencing another severe flare-up, bringing with it a wide range of physical and psychological symptoms, including pain, exhaustion, chronic fatigue, anxiety, brain fog, infections and emotional trauma. According to Hadid, living with these symptoms for extended periods has often left her feeling isolated and deeply depressed.

In her first message, Bella admitted that one of the most difficult aspects of living with chronic illness is trying to explain what she is actually going through. She said she has tried everything she can, from reading books and learning about other people’s experiences to researching symptoms and treatments in hopes of finding answers. Despite all her efforts, however, setbacks continue to happen.

“Especially when you try anything you can. You demand answers that no one can find. You fight. You finally have a few good days. You think you’ve found the right protocol, the right routine, the right treatment… and then a flare up comes back and all of a sudden nothing feels certain again.”

According to Bella, every flare-up feels like watching hope disappear all over again. She explained that she often has to cancel plans because she never knows how she will feel from one day to the next. That uncertainty makes it difficult even to make simple everyday decisions.

“You wake up with anxiety already living in your body. Physical pain before your feet even touch the floor….And somehow, still have to find the strength to move through another day in a body and mind that are completely exhausted.”

The model also admitted that she has learned to hide much of what she is feeling. Bella believes that unless someone has experienced chronic illness firsthand—or has loved someone who has—it is nearly impossible to truly understand what patients endure.

“Sometimes it feels like unless you’ve lived something like this, or loved someone who has, it’s impossible to fully understand.”

Despite everything, Bella offered words of encouragement to others facing illness or difficult circumstances. She emphasized that hope still exists, even when it feels impossible to see, while reminding herself that healing is never a straight path.

“As so many have said… I have to remind myself that healing isn’t linear… I believe God puts before us, somehow, only what we are capable of carrying, even when we don’t understand why at the time.”

Bella believes every hardship ultimately leaves behind a lesson, greater compassion, or a strength that people never knew they possessed.

“It leads us to the places and people and experience we have now… I have so much gratitude for life, but without living in a body that has more rough days than good. It’s hard to find joy or purpose or reason to even go outside… but we will keep trying! always!”

She concluded her lengthy message with words of support for anyone going through a difficult time.

“You are loved. You are needed. Your life has purpose. And you will make it through every season life puts you through… love you and hold you deeply.”

Bella later shared a photo of herself wearing a Star Wars-themed robe, joking that even small comforts can make difficult days feel a little easier.

“Although this Barefoot Dreams kids poncho does make everything a li better.”

She also reposted a friend’s Instagram Story promoting her fragrance brand, Orebella, while expressing gratitude to the team that has continued supporting her.

“It makes me emotional…. Thank you to my tribe for keeping me afloat.”

In another Story, Bella appeared with tear-filled eyes, revealing that the latest flare-up has been especially difficult. She said she had slept for 11 hours but continued taking naps throughout the day because she simply could not shake the exhaustion.

“I can’t shake off this flare-up. Took every protocol from any and every doctor I’ve seen. Still nothing helping.”

Trying to inject a bit of humor into the situation, the supermodel joked that she had “diagnosed” herself with 12 additional illnesses. She also revealed that simply walking from her bedroom to the kitchen left her short of breath.

“I don’t think there’s a singular brain cell in there working and my last two are beefing with each other. I took a shower without fainting tho… so again, if you know you know….that felt like a really big accomplishment for me today.”

Bella wrapped up the series by sharing two videos from content creator Oliver George, who also lives with chronic illness. The humorous clips portray the constant exhaustion and daily struggles of managing long-term symptoms—an experience Bella said resonated deeply with her.

Bella Hadid first went public with her Lyme disease diagnosis several years ago. The tick-borne illness has not only affected her physical health but has also forced her to step away from work multiple times for treatment. In 2023, she revealed that she had undergone more than 100 consecutive days of medical treatment while spending months recovering after years of living with the disease. In previous interviews, Bella admitted she had to turn down numerous major fashion opportunities because of her health and confessed that she sometimes felt “disposable” after being forced to withdraw from projects.

Even so, Bella eventually returned to the runway and major advertising campaigns as her condition became more manageable. Beyond modeling, she has also expanded into business with the launch of her fragrance brand, Orebella. Introduced in 2024, the label quickly became one of her most personal projects. Bella has said on multiple occasions that building the brand has given her a renewed sense of purpose and motivation, even during periods when her health has deteriorated.

Away from the spotlight, Bella Hadid has maintained a relatively private relationship with professional equestrian Adan Banuelos. After several high-profile romances—including her on-again, off-again relationship with singer The Weeknd—she has embraced a quieter lifestyle, spending much of her time in Texas with Banuelos while focusing on her health, family and business ventures. The model has explained that her biggest priority today is no longer appearing at every fashion event, but rather finding a healthier balance between work and her personal life.

Throughout her career, Bella Hadid has established herself as one of the defining supermodels of her generation. Yet behind her professional success has been a long and often painful battle with chronic illness. By candidly documenting both her strongest moments and her most vulnerable ones, she has become an influential voice for people living with chronic health conditions. Rather than maintaining the image of an untouchable fashion icon, Bella has chosen to reveal the realities of healing, helping raise awareness of Lyme disease and offering comfort to others facing similar challenges.