Hailey Merkt, who appeared on Season 21 of *The Bachelor*, has died at the age of 31 after a fight with cancer, her family announced.
“We are heartbroken to share that our dear Hailey has passed away after a brave battle with cancer,” her family wrote on Instagram. “Hailey faced this challenge with incredible strength, grace, and selflessness.”
Hailey was known for her humor and lively personality, and her passing has deeply affected everyone who knew her.
Her family added that Hailey’s determination and will to live went beyond what doctors expected. In her final moments, she was surrounded by loved ones and did what she loved most, with no regrets. Hailey died on July 26.
Hailey’s family described her as someone who truly lived life to the fullest and made a lasting impression on everyone she met. “She will be remembered as anything but boring—always hysterically funny and fully present in every moment,” they said.
Her family added, “Hailey will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her. Her laughter, love, and vibrant spirit have left a lasting mark on our hearts.”
Amid the many heartfelt tributes, Hailey’s family took comfort in the impact she made on others. “Even as we grieve her loss, we find solace in knowing her spirit will live on in the lives she touched. Rest in peace, Hailey,” they concluded in their emotional message.
Hailey had been open about her fight with leukemia, sharing her journey and reflections with her social media followers.
Her family started a GoFundMe page to support her, where they mentioned that she had undergone a bone marrow transplant earlier this year. This procedure initially gave her hope, with doctors predicting she had nine months to live without cancer concerns. Unfortunately, just six weeks later, she discovered that leukemia cells had returned aggressively.
Throughout her battle with cancer, Hailey stayed positive, sharing her treatment experiences on Instagram along with fashion and lifestyle inspiration. In an October post, she even shared a rare smile from during her treatment, captioning it: “A rare moment caught smiling during treatment :).”
Her family has been deeply grateful for the support they received during her illness and encouraged people who knew Hailey to share their memories of her.
Several of Hailey’s fellow contestants from Nick Viall’s season of *The Bachelor* have paid tribute to her, expressing their heartbreak over the loss of their friend.
Vanessa Grimaldi, who won Nick Viall’s season of *The Bachelor*, wrote: “Our beautiful girl!! This news broke me. You are such a light, and your beautiful big smile will always be something I remember. Always. Rest easy, friend! Sending big hugs to your loved ones xoxo.”
Danielle Maltby shared a touching message: “I feel so lucky to have known your laugh and to have met and loved the warmest, most beautiful soul in the strangest of places Forever grateful for your friendship both there and in the real world… What a force, my girl. Rest easy Sending so much love to all your people.”
Dominique Alexis expressed similar feelings, saying: “My love, I hope you are in the most beautiful, peaceful place. I can’t imagine not seeing you again, but I’ll cherish every memory we shared. Love you .”
Raven Gates added: “Oh my gosh!!! I’m so, so sad to hear this I was hoping for her recovery. Rest easy, Hailey You’ll never be forgotten.”
In accordance with Hailey’s wishes, there will be no official funeral. Her family hopes that those who knew her will keep her memory alive by cherishing the moments they shared with her, as noted on the GoFundMe page.
Jennifer Garner trying to save ex-husband Ben Affleck’s marriage to Jennifer Lopez – wants to ‘keep them together,’ says source
According to a source who spoke to Us Weekly, Ben Affleck’s ex-wife and mother of his children, Jennifer Garner, is “encouraging Ben to work on his marriage to Jen” amid persistent accusations that the couple is having marital problems.
“[Garner] fully supports their relationship and wants nothing more than for him to be happy,” the insider continued. The reason for this is that, despite the fact that Garner views Afflek as “a complicated guy” and that their marriage failed, the two have always been quite cooperative with regard to their children, Violet, 18, Fin, 15, and Samuel, 12.
Furthermore, according to certain media sources, Lopez approached Garner on her own because she believed that the actress was “one of the only people in the world who would understand what she is going through.”
In a 2020 New York Times interview, Affleck said that his drinking had made his “marital problems” with Garner worse.
He added at the time, “People with compulsive behavior—me included—have this kind of constant, basic discomfort that they’re trying to get rid of.” “You’re attempting to use food, booze, sex, gambling, shopping, or any other activity to help yourself feel better. However, that only makes everything worse in the end. Then, in an attempt to ease the ache, you continue doing it. Then the really suffering begins.
“It turns into an unbreakable vicious cycle,” he went on. “It’s the least that occurred to me.”
Affleck did not attend the premiere of his wife’s new film, Atlas, earlier this week.
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