Australian model Sahara Ray has passed away at 34, her family has confirmed. The heartbreaking announcement comes only a few months after she revealed the birth of her first child.
Sahara Ray’s family confirmed her death to TMZ. The Australian model and swimwear designer attracted widespread attention years ago because of her rumored romance with Justin Bieber.
“She passed away last night surrounded by family at the hospital. She was so loved,” her family told TMZ.
Ray welcomed a daughter named Snow in January 2026. She was widely recognized for her modeling career and strong social media presence, where she built a large following. She also established her own swimwear label, Sahara Ray Swim.
No official cause of death has been disclosed. However, Ray had previously spoken publicly about her health struggles. In 2024, she revealed that she had been diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome.
“I honestly don’t even know how to start this video, I’m so overwhelmed with what’s going on with me,” Ray said in a TikTok video in 2024. “So basically, right now I’m paralyzed from the tops of my upper thighs all the way down to my feet. I can’t walk at all.”
The model also explained that she was “primarily in a wheelchair” and could “barely walk” after being struck by a drunk driver that same year.
Model Sahara Ray dies at 34 months after giving birth to baby girl
“It basically sent my body into shock, which sent my body into this crazy sickness, and I got really, really sick for a week-and-a-half to two weeks,” Ray continued.
In an interview with the NY Post, Dr. David Langer, chair of neurosurgery at Lenox Hill Hospital, described Guillain-Barré syndrome as “basically a neurological illness that involves the peripheral nerves in the body.” He explained that these nerves are surrounded by a protective covering known as myelin.
Dr. Langer also noted that the condition is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues. According to Live Science, antibodies generally help the body defend itself against foreign invaders, including viruses.
Credit: Instagram/sahara_ray
“Myelin is like an insulator for an electric cable. If you don’t have insulation on your wires, the electricity doesn’t pass through, so the insulation basically allows nerves to conduct very quickly,” he explained. “The myelin gets degraded and your nerves can’t transmit as easily, so you start slowing down in whatever muscle areas that are fed by these nerves.”
The late Andy Griffith was another well-known figure who was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Rest in peace, Sahara Ray. Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with her family and everyone who loved her.