Hailey Merkt, who vied for Nick Viall’s heart during season 21 of The Bachelor, has died from leukemia. She was 31.
Merkt’s family confirmed her death with a statement shared on the model’s personal Instagram page on Tuesday. “It is with broken hearts we share that our beloved Hailey has passed away after a courageous fight for her life,” it read. “Hailey faced this journey with unimaginable strength, grace and selflessness. 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.”
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The former reality TV star was 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.”
At the end of the post, it was noted that the GoFundMe set up to help Merkt with the costs of her cancer treatment will be kept open “for anyone wishing to offer support in lieu of flowers until August 10 2024 at 12:01 a.m.”
The GoFundMe page now states that 100 percent of funds raised will be donated to Merkt’s mother, Michele, used to “afford remaining costs that have overwhelmed Hailey’s mother and family.”
The Bachelor alum had chronicled her cancer diagnosis on Instagram, giving followers glimpses at her treatment and life at home. Back in April, Merkt announced on the GoFundMe that she was “leukemia free” after undergoing an experimental stem cell transplant treatment. However, as the fundraiser organizer Christopher Bennett wrote, Merkt received the news six weeks later that her leukemia cells had returned and were “moving fast.”
“Her first reaction was to say, ‘I don’t care about myself anymore, but I can’t bear being the cause of so much pain for the people I love,'” Bennett recalled. He added that his late friend wanted to “live every last minute she had to the fullest: being with the people she loved and doing the things she loved, and she loved doing so many simple things. A drink on a patio. Being in the sun. Her family and friends. Her dog, Snuggles. Swimming. An organized cupboard. A checklist of tasks all ticked off. Hanging out in a favorite park. Looking beautiful, with all the creativity that entails. Being beautiful. A beautiful soul.”
During the Thursday episode of his podcast The Viall Files, Viall paid tribute to Merkt. “Hailey was on my season of The Bachelor. She left week 2. I didn’t really get to know her very well at all, but I very much vividly remember her, and I remember her to be very sweet and kind,” he shared.
“She struggled with a very tough battle of leukemia it sounds like, and recently passed away, so our love and hearts go out to her family, who are obviously going through it,” the former Bachelor continued. “It sounds like she really put up a very courageous fight, and, unfortunately, she is with us no more. But very sad to see that she passed, and we’re definitely praying for her and her family.”
Aug. 1, 11:38 a.m.: This story has been updated with Nick Viall’s comments about Merkt’s death.
