The online world is mourning the untimely death of Zuza Beine, a 14-year-old social media sensation who captured hearts with her unyielding positivity and raw honesty during an 11-year battle against acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Zuza, a Wisconsin native and member of the Gen Z content collective Glow House, died on Monday, September 22, her family announced on her Instagram account the following day, leaving millions of followers devastated and reflecting on her extraordinary legacy of resilience.
Diagnosed at just 3 years old with AML—a rare and aggressive blood and bone marrow cancer—Zuza spent over three-quarters of her young life in treatment, enduring multiple bone marrow transplants and countless hospital stays. Yet, she transformed her pain into purpose, amassing nearly 2 million followers across Instagram (@zuzas_way_to_healing) and TikTok, where she shared GRWM (get ready with me) videos, daily updates on her health, and glimpses of joy amid the struggle. “She lived 11 of her 14 years with a relentless cancer, yet lived more fully and gratefully than most,” her family wrote in a poignant tribute, emphasizing her deep empathy and refusal to let physical agony dim her spirit. In one of her final posts, shared just days before her passing during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Zuza tearfully described excruciating leg pain that left her unable to walk without assistance, even as recent scans showed her cancer levels dropping—a bittersweet glimmer of hope.
Zuza’s journey wasn’t just about survival; it was a beacon for others facing similar battles. As a five-time cancer survivor, she openly discussed the highs of remission and the lows of relapse, including her three bone marrow transplants, while advocating for awareness and support. Her content blended teenage normalcy—outfit hauls, makeup tutorials, and lighthearted chats—with vulnerable moments, like explaining medication side effects or expressing her longing to be a “normal, healthy kid.” Glow House, the influencer group she joined earlier this year, celebrated her as a “force of nature,” noting that surviving AML for so long was “virtually unprecedented.”
The tragedy deepened when Zuza’s uncle, Olaf Stieber, unexpectedly passed away just a week before her, leaving his wife and two young children behind—a double blow that her family said “devastated” the young girl in her final days. In lieu of flowers, the family directed condolences to a GoFundMe for Lauren Stieber and her children, a cause Zuza would have championed. Tributes poured in from celebrities and fans alike, with Little House on the Prairie star Melissa Gilbert among those sharing, “Zuza was and will always be such an inspiration to me personally.” Online, the outpouring was overwhelming: “Zuza, you are a one-of-a-kind angel. I will never stop thinking about you and the joy you spread,” one follower wrote, while another added, “This is absolutely heartbreaking… I hope your first two days in heaven have been the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen.”
Zuza’s story has amplified calls for increased funding into childhood cancer research, with organizations like the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society noting her impact in raising visibility for AML, which affects about 500 children annually in the U.S. alone. As fans continue to share her videos—now viewed millions of times posthumously—her message endures: gratitude in suffering, strength in vulnerability, and a fierce zest for life, no matter how brief.
In a world often numbed by filters, Zuza’s unvarnished courage reminds us all to live fully, gratefully, and without apology. Rest in peace, Zuza—your light will heal many more.