7 Shocking Ways Bella Hadid’s Chronic Lyme Disease Battle Changed Her Career And Life

Contents
Supermodel Bella Hadid’s decade-long, often invisible, battle with chronic neurological Lyme disease continues to be one of the most compelling and raw health stories in the celebrity world. As of late 2025, the 28-year-old has shared a powerful new chapter in her journey, confirming that she is "finally healthy" after completing an intense, multi-month treatment protocol that included over 100 days of therapy and recent hospital stays. Her candidness about the "aggressive" symptoms and the profound impact on her life has transformed her from a fashion icon into a global advocate for chronic illness awareness, inspiring her to launch her own wellness brand, Orebella. This is the definitive, up-to-date look at Bella Hadid’s health journey, detailing the specific symptoms she has faced, the intense treatment she underwent, and the powerful way her struggle has shaped her career and life in the spotlight.

Bella Hadid: A Brief Biography and Health Profile

Bella Hadid, born Isabella Khair Hadid, has maintained a high-profile career as one of the world's most recognizable supermodels, but her professional life has often been punctuated by private health struggles. Her transparency about her chronic illness has given a face to the often-misunderstood condition known as Lyme disease.

  • Full Name: Isabella Khair Hadid
  • Date of Birth: October 9, 1996
  • Age (as of late 2025): 29
  • Place of Birth: Washington D.C., U.S.
  • Nationality: American, Palestinian-Dutch
  • Occupation: Supermodel, Entrepreneur (Orebella Founder)
  • Lyme Disease Diagnosis: 2012 (at age 16)
  • Family Members with Lyme: Mother (Yolanda Hadid) and younger brother (Anwar Hadid)
  • Recent Health Status: Declared "finally healthy" in 2023 after intense treatment; shared photos of IV treatments and hospital stays in 2025 following a flare-up.

The Invisible War: Bella’s Aggressive Lyme Disease Symptoms

Lyme disease is a tick-borne infectious disease caused by the bacterium *Borrelia burgdorferi*. When it progresses to chronic neurological Lyme disease, the bacteria invade the central and peripheral nervous systems, leading to a debilitating array of symptoms. Bella Hadid has been vocal about the "15 years of invisible suffering" she has endured, detailing the aggressive and varied ways the illness has manifested daily.

The severity of her condition necessitated taking significant time away from modeling, including a lengthy period of intense treatment. Her public sharing of these symptoms has been crucial in raising awareness for a disease that is often difficult to diagnose and treat.

A list of the specific, debilitating symptoms Bella Hadid has publicly shared includes:

  • Neurological & Cognitive Issues: Headaches, memory loss, difficulty with concentration ("brain fog"), and light sensitivity.
  • Physical Pain: Joint pain, muscle aches, and general chronic fatigue that makes "difficulty walking" a daily challenge.
  • Cardiovascular & Respiratory: Irregular heartbeat and difficulty with breathing.
  • Mental Health: Severe anxiety and depression, which she has referred to as "medical anxiety."
  • Gastrointestinal: Persistent nausea.
  • Sleep Disturbances: Chronic insomnia.

One particularly shocking revelation was that a 2023 flare-up of her symptoms was triggered by a tooth infection that required a root canal, illustrating how seemingly minor health issues can have a massive impact on those with chronic Lyme.

The Intense Treatment Protocol and Recent Triumphant Return

Bella Hadid’s treatment journey is a testament to the costly and intense reality of managing chronic Lyme disease, especially the neurological form. The model has shared numerous photos of herself hooked up to IVs and in hospital settings, providing a raw glimpse into her life off the runway.

In 2023, she completed a significant milestone: over 100 days of what her sister, Gigi Hadid, called "intense" treatment. This treatment often involves various forms of intravenous therapies, which can cost up to $10,000 a week for the average person, highlighting the immense financial burden of the illness.

The latest updates from 2025 confirm that even after this major treatment, her journey continues, with recent hospitalizations and ongoing protocols. However, her public sentiment is one of victory and gratitude, stating in a heartfelt social media post that she is "finally healthy" and grateful for the support of her family and medical team.

Her return to the runway and professional life, including a powerful appearance at Paris Fashion Week just days after completing her latest round of treatment, symbolizes a major triumph over her chronic illness.

How Lyme Disease Inspired the Orebella Wellness Empire

Beyond her personal health, Bella Hadid’s experience with chronic illness has directly influenced her professional pivot into the wellness space. In 2024, she launched her highly anticipated wellness fragrance brand, Orebella.

This venture is not merely a celebrity side project; it is deeply rooted in her health journey. Hadid revealed that her obsession with using essential oils for her own health and wellness was the core inspiration for Orebella. The brand focuses on "wellness fragrances," marrying the world of beauty with holistic living and transcendental scents.

This move positions her as a true entrepreneur in the wellness sector, using her personal story of survival and holistic healing to connect with a wider audience. Orebella, therefore, stands as a tangible entity born from her fight against chronic Lyme, turning a decade of suffering into a platform for healing and self-care.

The Hadid Family’s Role in Lyme Disease Awareness

Bella's journey is inextricably linked to her family’s experience. Her mother, former model and *Real Housewives of Beverly Hills* star Yolanda Hadid, and her younger brother, Anwar Hadid, were also diagnosed with Lyme disease around the same time as Bella in 2012.

The family has become one of the most visible advocates for chronic Lyme disease awareness, using their platform to shed light on its devastating effects. Yolanda, in particular, has been a fierce supporter of Bella, sharing heart-wrenching posts about her daughter's hospitalizations and praising her resilience. The collective experience of the Hadid family has significantly amplified the conversation around this complex and often-controversial diagnosis.

bella hadid lyme disease
bella hadid lyme disease

Detail Author:

  • Name : Destiney McClure
  • Username : kamille.bahringer
  • Email : halle.fritsch@rice.com
  • Birthdate : 1993-02-05
  • Address : 5126 Powlowski Valley Suite 464 Brownmouth, CA 42234-3722
  • Phone : +1 (223) 300-7794
  • Company : Kovacek-Schumm
  • Job : Medical Sales Representative
  • Bio : Tenetur cum excepturi alias tempore facere. Ratione optio omnis quis autem. Et excepturi eius temporibus possimus assumenda et.

Socials

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/cortez_cummings
  • username : cortez_cummings
  • bio : Blanditiis sit molestiae sunt exercitationem minima. Minus et dolores dolor accusantium sit harum. Odio aspernatur molestiae modi.
  • followers : 305
  • following : 1449

tiktok:

facebook:

linkedin:

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/cummings2005
  • username : cummings2005
  • bio : Adipisci eos dolores eum harum. Eos sapiente et aut necessitatibus et omnis.
  • followers : 3589
  • following : 49