Australian model and swimwear designer Sahara Ray, who gained international attention through her fashion career and rumored romance with pop superstar Justin Bieber, has died at the age of 34.
Ray passed away Sunday night, October 18, at a hospital surrounded by members of her family, according to a statement provided to TMZ.
“She passed away last night surrounded by family at the hospital. She was so loved,” her family said.
The circumstances surrounding her death have not been publicly disclosed, and an official cause of death has not been confirmed.
Ray was widely recognized for her modeling career, growing social media presence and successful transition into the fashion industry through her swimwear company, Sahara Ray Swim.
Over the years, she developed a substantial following on Instagram, where she shared photographs from modeling campaigns, tropical destinations and her personal life.
Her popularity extended beyond the fashion world in 2016 when photographs emerged showing her vacationing with Justin Bieber in Hawaii.
The images sparked widespread speculation about a possible romantic relationship between the two, making Ray a familiar name in celebrity entertainment coverage.
She was also previously romantically linked to Australian singer Cody Simpson.
However, Ray had established her own identity in the fashion industry long before those relationships attracted public attention.
Born into a family closely connected to surfing, Ray was the daughter of legendary Australian surfer Tony Ray.
Her childhood was spent traveling between Australia, California and Hawaii, exposing her to the beach culture that would eventually influence her professional career.
That upbringing helped shape her interest in swimwear design and the lifestyle associated with coastal fashion.
She later launched Sahara Ray Swim, establishing a brand that reflected her personal style and passion for beachwear.
Through modeling, entrepreneurship and social media, Ray developed an international audience that followed both her professional projects and personal experiences.
In recent years, however, she had also spoken publicly about serious health challenges.
In 2024, Ray revealed that she had been battling Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare neurological disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks peripheral nerves.
The condition can cause muscle weakness, numbness and, in severe cases, paralysis.
Ray disclosed that she experienced partial paralysis following a serious car accident and discussed the physical difficulties associated with her medical condition.
Her decision to speak openly about the experience offered followers a glimpse into challenges that were largely separate from the glamorous modeling photographs for which she had become known, per TMZ.
Despite her previously disclosed health struggles, there has been no official indication that Guillain-Barré syndrome contributed to her death.
Her family has not announced a cause, and the circumstances surrounding her hospitalization remain unclear.
News of Ray’s passing comes nearly a decade after her widely publicized appearances with Bieber helped introduce her to a larger international audience.
While those celebrity connections brought additional attention, her career encompassed modeling, fashion design and entrepreneurship.
Ray’s swimwear business and online presence allowed her to develop a recognizable brand associated with beach fashion and Australian surf culture.
Her death at just 34 brings an unexpected end to that career.
For now, her family’s statement remains the principal public confirmation of her passing, emphasizing that she spent her final moments surrounded by loved ones.
