Sahara Ray, the model and swimwear designer who first became a household name online in 2016, has died at the age of 34. Her family confirmed to TMZ that she passed away Sunday, October 18, at the hospital, surrounded by loved ones. No official cause of death has been released.
Ray, the daughter of Australian pro surfer Tony Ray, built a loyal following and launched her own line, Sahara Ray Swim. In 2024, she revealed she had been diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that left her paralyzed from the upper thighs down and requiring a wheelchair.“My whole life changed in an instant,”she said at the time. It’s unclear whether the diagnosis was connected to her death.
The end of her story came during what should have been her happiest chapter. She announced her pregnancy in August 2025 and welcomed a baby girl named Snow earlier this year. Her final Instagram post, shared in July, celebrated the joy of being a mother. Her family’s statement said it plainly:“She was so loved.”
What’s your favorite memory of that 2016 era of the internet? Let us know in the comments.
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.