Current:Home > MyHailey Merkt, former 'The Bachelor' contestant, dies at 31 -NextFrontier Capital
Hailey Merkt, former 'The Bachelor' contestant, dies at 31
View
Date:2025-04-15 10:45:06
Hailey Merkt, a former contestant on "The Bachelor," has died after a battle with cancer. She was 31.
News of Merkt's death was shared in a post on her Instagram page on Tuesday, which said she died "after a courageous fight for her life." According to a GoFundMe page for Merkt, she had been suffering from leukemia.
"Hailey faced this journey with unimaginable strength, grace, and selflessness," the post on Merkt's Instagram page said. "Her determination, courage, and will to live surpassed every timeline the doctors gave her, and she chose to spend her final moments surrounded by loved ones and doing what she cherished most with no regrets."
The post added, "She will forever be remembered as anything but boring, always hysterically funny, and as someone who lived fully in the present moment. Hailey embraced life with an unmatched zest; her beautiful spirit has touched countless lives. Hailey will be profoundly missed by all who knew her. Her laughter, her love, and her vibrant spirit have left an undeniable mark on our hearts."
Merkt was a contestant on the Nick Viall-led 21st season of "The Bachelor," which aired on ABC in 2017. She was eliminated during the second week.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Merkt had been documenting her battle with cancer on Instagram and in October shared a photo of herself undergoing treatment. "A rare moment caught smiling during treatment," she captioned the picture.
'The Bachelor's'surprising revelation about the science of finding a soulmate
According to the GoFundMe page linked on her Instagram, Merkt "was told she had nine months to not even think about cancer" after a bone marrow transplant but subsequently learned "leukemia cells were back and moving fast."
A previous update on the GoFundMe from April was signed by Merkt, who said she was leukemia-free.
'Bachelor' and 'Bachelorette' couples:Which are success stories — and who's broken up?
"Thank you to everyone who supported Hailey during this difficult journey," the Instagram post announcing Merkt's death said. "We invite you to share your favourite memories of our dear Hailey, whether through a direct message or by posting them. Your stories and moments mean the world."
Vanessa Grimaldi, the winner of "The Bachelor" Season 21, paid tribute to Merkt in an Instagram comment.
"Our beautiful girl!! 💔" she wrote. "This news broke me. You are such a light, your beautiful big smile will always be something I remember. Always. Rest easy, friend! 🤍🕊️ Sending big hugs to your loved ones xoxo."
veryGood! (57418)
Related
- The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
- Footage for Simone Biles' Netflix doc could be smoking gun in Jordan Chiles' medal appeal
- Tate Ratledge injury update: Georgia OL reportedly expected to be out several weeks
- 23andMe agrees to $30 million settlement over data breach that affected 6.9 million users
- Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
- Wisconsin QB Tyler Van Dyke to miss rest of season with knee injury, per reports
- A man accused of stalking UConn star Paige Bueckers is found with an engagement ring near airport
- Trump will soon be able to sell shares in Truth Social’s parent company. What’s at stake?
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- Election officials prepare for threats with panic buttons, bulletproof glass
Ranking
- How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
- Brackish water creeping up the Mississippi River may threaten Louisiana’s drinking supply
- Radio Nikki: Haley launching a weekly SiriusXM radio talk show at least through January
- Olympic Gymnast Jordan Chiles Files Appeal Over Bronze Medal Ruling
- See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
- Major companies abandon an LGBTQ+ rights report card after facing anti-diversity backlash
- Volkswagen, Porsche, Mazda among 100,000 vehicles recalled: Check car recalls here
- Jalen Hurts rushing yards: Eagles QB dominates with legs in 'Monday Night Football' loss
Recommendation
Sam Taylor
Boar's Head listeria outbreak timeline: When it started, deaths, lawsuits, factory closure
Tennessee increases 2025 football ticket prices to help pay players
Not-so-great expectations: Students are reading fewer books in English class
How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
If WNBA playoffs started now, who would Caitlin Clark and Fever face?
Sean Diddy Combs Arrested in New York
Gilmore Girls' Kelly Bishop Reacts to Criticism of Rory Gilmore's Adult Storyline