Popular South African TikToker, Beandri Booysen who was battling with a rare disorder, progeria, which caused her to age eight years for every one year of her life, is dead.
She was 19 years old at the time of her passing.
The content creator’s mother, Bea Booysen confirmed her passing in a Facebook group dedicated to her daughter.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Beandri Booysen, one of South Africa’s most beloved and inspirational young women,” the bereaved parent wrote.
“Beandri was not only known for her vibrant personality and infectious laugh but also as the last surviving individual in South Africa living with the rare genetic condition progeria.”
Bea added, “She became a symbol of awareness for progeria and other special needs children using her unique spirit to inspire thousands of people worldwide. She never stopped fighting.”
Several months before her passing, the teen — who weighed just 26 pounds — had undergone a successful open heart surgery and was looking forward to spending the holidays with her parents.
Before she d!ed, Beandri had amassed over 269,200 followers on TikTok, where she frequently shared uplifting videos. Some of her more popular clips showed her lip-syncing along to various pop hits while sporting a blonde wig.
Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome is a genetic condition characterized by rapid, dramatic aging and osteoporosis, which makes bones brittle and prone to breaking.
Beandri was one of just 200 progeria sufferers in the world and the last person to die in the Rainbow Nation from the condition.
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