Former Bachelor Contestant Hailey Merkt Passes Away at 31 After Battle with Leukemia
Hailey Merkt, a former contestant on The Bachelor, has tragically passed away at the age of 31 following a long and courageous battle with leukemia.
Her passing was confirmed in a heartfelt social media post shared on her personal Instagram page. The post included a picture of Hailey and a touching message that read, “It is with broken hearts we share that our beloved Hailey has passed away after a courageous fight for her life.”
The tribute highlighted Hailey’s bravery and resilience throughout her illness, stating, “Hailey faced her journey with unimaginable bravery, kindness, and selflessness. Despite every medical setback, she remained determined and chose to spend her final days surrounded by family and friends, doing what she loved most, with no regrets.”
The post went on to describe Hailey as “highly entertaining, never dull, and fully present in each moment.” Her vibrant spirit and love for life touched many, and the caption added, “Hailey embraced life with an unmatched zest; her beautiful spirit has impacted countless lives.”
The post also expressed the deep loss felt by those close to her, saying, “Hailey will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her love, laughter, and energetic spirit will always be remembered. Though we mourn her loss, we find comfort in knowing her spirit lives on in everyone she inspired.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up by Hailey’s grieving family to help them through this difficult time. The campaign, which will remain open until August 10, has raised over 112,000 Canadian dollars.
Hailey made her television debut in 2017 during Season 21 of The Bachelor, where she competed for Nick Viall’s affection. She was eliminated in the second week of the competition, but left a lasting impression on her fellow contestants and viewers.
Several Bachelor alums shared their memories of Hailey in the comments section of her tribute post. Danielle Maltby, a fellow contestant from the same season, wrote, “I feel so lucky to know your laugh and thankful to have met the kindest, most delightful person in the strangest places. So much love to all your people.” Raven Gates added, “Oh my goodness! This makes me so sad. Rest easy, Hailey. You will always be remembered.”
Ashley Stern also shared her grief, saying, “I feel lucky to have known such a beautiful, solid soul. I’ll never forget you, Hailey,” while Dominique Alexis wrote, “I hope you’re in a peaceful place, my love. I can’t believe I won’t see you again, but I’ll cherish every memory.”
Hailey had been open about her battle with leukemia, sharing her journey with fans on social media. In April, she celebrated being “leukemia-free,” giving hope to many. However, just three months later, her health took a turn for the worse. According to the GoFundMe page, after her bone marrow transplant, Hailey was initially told she had nine months to focus on healing, but tragically, leukemia cells returned after only six weeks.
Throughout her fight, Hailey continued to document her experiences, posting updates about her treatment and moments of joy, like a photo of her smiling during treatment in October 2023, which she called a “rare moment.” Her social media had previously been filled with selfies, dog pictures, and glimpses into her modeling career and everyday life.
Despite her struggles, Hailey’s positivity and spirit remained strong, and her legacy of love and strength will live on in the hearts of those who knew her. Rest in peace, Hailey.
Demi Moore, 60, Shines in Bikini Snaps and Reveals How She Keeps the Clock From Ticking
Even at the age of 60, Demi Moore, still looks stunning in swimsuits. While her appearance may seem like a mystery, Moore reveals her secrets lie in the power of self-care and cultivating a positive mindset. By placing a high value on her physical and mental well-being, the actress continues to radiate confidence and beauty.
She works out at home.
Many people choose to exercise at home instead of going to the gym, saving themselves the hassle of long commutes. It seems that Moore’s usual fitness routine isn’t as gym-centric as we thought.
In 2019, she admitted that she hadn’t been to the gym in over four years. On her Instagram, she shared her experience with The Mirror, a fitness system, and started her fitness journey with a short 15-minute dance-cardio session. “I haven’t exercised in, like, over four years. So, this is gonna be my next jam,” she shared.
She swims a lot.
Moore is often seen enjoying her time near the water, as evidenced by the numerous photos she shares on Instagram. “Cooling off in the Tropez suit,” she captioned some pictures of herself in a pool.
Swimming is widely recognized as an excellent form of exercise that not only helps tone muscles but also enhances strength and endurance. It’s no wonder Moore chooses to incorporate swimming into her fitness routine.
She spends a lot of time with her dog.
Moore has an adorable dog named Pilaf, and she loves sharing pictures and videos of him on Instagram. They do lots of fun things together, and recently, she posted a heartwarming video of them having a great time at the beach. The caption said, “Swimming lessons with Pilaf!”
Numerous studies have shown that owning a dog has many health benefits, like getting you more active and even helping to lower your blood pressure.
She believes beauty starts from within.
During a Goop panel discussion alongside fellow celebrity Gwyneth Paltrow, Moore shared her top skincare advice, emphasizing the importance of self-care from within.
“Look, I don’t have any super big secret. But I definitely think beauty starts on the inside. You can do anything you want to the outside, but if the inside isn’t looking or feeling good, then I don’t know if anything you do on the outside is going to be good enough,” she said.
After going through a string of challenging relationships and marriages, Demi Moore has reached a significant realization: before she can genuinely love someone else, she must prioritize loving herself completely and honoring her own desires. Now, at the age of 60, love has once again found its way into Moore’s life, and this time around, she is resolute in approaching it with a renewed outlook and making alternative decisions.
Preview photo credit demimoore / Instagram
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