Yolanda Hadid is by her daughter Bella Hadid’s side as the model battles a flare-up of her chronic neurological Lyme disease.
Yolanda, 61, shared a touching message about Bella’s “courageous” fight and posted photos from her daughter’s recent hospital stay via Instagram on Thursday, September 18.
“Watching my Bella struggle in silence cuts the deepest core of hopelessness inside me,” Yolanda, who was also diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2012, began her lengthy post. “The invisible disability of chronic neurological Lyme disease is hard to explain; I try to lead by example on our Lyme journey, but my own pain cannot compare to watching my baby suffer.”
Yolanda went on to say that, in recent years, she has stopped sharing details of her personal journey with Lyme as she “needed an energetic shift” and time to focus on healing rather than judgement. But, behind closed doors, she has continued to search for a cure in the hope of ending her 15-year battle with the tick-borne illness.
“Hopefully soon I will share whatever we have learned and the places we have been with our Lyme community as soon as lab results reflect our victory,” Yolanda continued before speaking directly to Bella, 28, who was also diagnosed with Lyme in 2013 at the age of 16.
“To my beautiful Bellita: You are relentless and courageous. No child is suppose[d] to suffer in their body with an incurable chronic disease,” Yolanda wrote. “I admire your bravery and your willingness to keep fighting for health despite the failing protocols and countless setbacks you have faced.”
She continued: “There simply aren’t words big enough for the darkness, the pain, and the unknown hell you’ve lived through since your diagnosis in 2013. You didn’t really live, you learned how to exist inside the jail of your own paralyzed brain. I am so proud of the fighter that you are. You are not alone, I promise to have your back every step of the way, no matter how long this takes.”
Yolanda concluded her post by praising her daughter for being “my badass Warrior,” and for fighting through “another month of treatment.”
“This disease has brought us to our knees, but we always get back up. We will continue to fight for better days, together,” Yolanda shared.
Her post comes a day after Bella first shared pictures from a hospital bed on Wednesday. “I’m sorry I always go MIA I love you guys,” she wrote alongside the photos.
The Instagram post featured images of Bella hooked up to IVs, as well as snaps of a beautiful pastoral landscape, a sky with a double rainbow and a pizza she ate in her hospital room.
Bella’s sister Gigi Hadid commented on the post, writing, “I love you! I hope [you] feel as strong and good as u deserve, soon!!!!!!”
Gigi, 30, doesn’t have Lyme disease, but her and Bella’s brother, Anwar Hadid, was also diagnosed with the chronic illness in 2013. (Yolanda shares Gigi, Bella and Anwar, 26, with ex-husband Mohamed Hadid.)
Bella has been open about her journey with Lyme over the years and the debilitating side effects she experiences daily.
In 2023, she shared a snapshot via Instagram of herself receiving IV treatments.
“The universe works in the most painful and beautiful ways but I need to say that if you are struggling — it will get better, I promise,” Bella wrote at the time, offering words of encouragement for facing health setbacks. “Take a step away, stay strong, have faith in your path, walk in your truth and the clouds will start to clear up.”
She added, “Almost 15 years of invisible suffering, was all worth it if I’m able to, God willing, have a lifetime of spreading love from a full cup, and being able to truly be myself for the first time ever. … I’ll be back when I’m ready. I miss you all so much. I love you all so much.”
