Beandri Booysen, a 19-year-old TikTok star from South Africa who lived with the rare condition Progeria, has passed away. Her mother, Bea Booysen, shared the heartbreaking news on December 18 in a moving Facebook post, calling Beandri “one of South Africa’s most beloved and inspirational young women.”
Despite her health challenges, Beandri radiated joy and used her platform—followed by over 278,000 people—to spread love, awareness, and positivity. Her passing, just months after undergoing heart surgery, sparked an outpouring of grief online. A tribute video shared to TikTok garnered over 300,000 views in a single day.
Beandri was the last known person in South Africa living with Progeria, a rare genetic disorder that causes premature aging in children. While the condition is often fatal in the teenage years, Beandri lived beyond expectations and became a powerful voice for awareness.
“She made a big impact,” one follower wrote. “What an inspiration she was.”
Though she is gone, her spirit continues to inspire thousands across the globe.
