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Sahara Ray, the Australian‑American swimsuit model and designer, has died at the age of 34, her family has confirmed. In a statement to TMZ they said: “She passed away last night surrounded by family at the hospital. She was so loved.” The cause of death has not been disclosed.
From surf upbringing to a fashion career
Born into a surfing family, Sahara Ray was the daughter of well‑known surfer Tony Ray. She learned to surf as a child but shifted her focus to modelling and fashion in her teens.
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Model Sahara Ray, once linked to Justin Bieber, dies aged 34
Ray later relocated to Los Angeles to study at The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM). She went on to build a modelling career and launched her own label, Sahara Ray Swim, establishing a presence in swimwear design as well as in front of the camera.
New mother
Less than a year before her death, Ray became a mother for the first time. In January she announced the arrival of her daughter, writing on Instagram that Snow Ray was born on 27/1/2026.
She posted a series of photos and wrote: “Snow Ray 27/1/2026. I can’t believe I made this little miracle with my body. I’m so proud and so in love.”
Health battles in recent years
Ray publicly disclosed a diagnosis of Guillain‑Barré syndrome in May 2024. The disorder, she said, had left her with significant weakness and paralysis from her upper thighs to her feet, and she was using a wheelchair and a walker.
Explaining how the illness began, Ray told followers she had been “hit by a drunk driver,” and that the episode had precipitated a severe bout of sickness. “I got really really sick for like a week and a half to two weeks,” she wrote, saying the illness left her unable to eat and severely weakened.
She also shared the emotional strain of the recovery, adding that she was trying to maintain hope and patience as she worked to regain sensation and strength.
Public profile and past headlines
Ray attracted tabloid attention in 2016 when she was linked to Justin Bieber; paparazzi images from that year showed the pair together on a beach. The reported association remained a recurring point of public interest.
At this time the family has not provided further details about the circumstances of her death. They asked in their brief statement that her memory be cherished by those who knew her.
