Beandri Booysen: Girl in South Africa with progeria dies

Beandri’s light dimmed far too soon at just 19, but her story burns brightly, touching hearts and inspiring countless souls who come across it.

Born in South Africa, Beandri was only seven months old when doctors discovered she had Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that speeds up aging, making her body grow old eight times faster than most.

It’s the kind of diagnosis that could break anyone—only 1 in 4 million are born with it, and fewer than 400 kids and young adults worldwide live with progeria at any given time. Doctors gently warned that Beandri might not make it past her early teens. But Beandri? She had her own plans, and they were big.

A Heart That Refused to Be Boxed In

Weighing just 12 kilograms (26 pounds), Beandri carried the physical weight of her condition, but her spirit? That was boundless, like a wide-open sky. From the time she could string words together, she made it clear she wasn’t going to let progeria write her story. She went to school, laughed with friends, and dreamed of standing in front of a classroom one day as a teacher. She even pictured a future where she’d get married and raise twins—two little lives she’d love fiercely. Beandri didn’t just live; she soaked up every moment, determined to make them hers.

On TikTok, she found a megaphone for her heart. With nearly 300,000 followers, she shared snippets of her life—some funny, some raw, all real. Her videos weren’t just about her; they were a rallying cry: “Be yourself. Love yourself. Believe in yourself.” Those words became a lifeline for people across the globe. Through her openness, she showed the world what progeria was, not as a textbook definition, but as a part of her life—one she faced with courage and grace. She wasn’t just raising awareness; she was building a community of compassion.

A Mother’s Love, A World’s Loss

Beandri’s 19th birthday came and went, a milestone no one thought she’d reach. But just weeks later, her health took a sudden turn. “Please pray,” her mother, Bea, wrote in a post that carried the weight of every parent’s worst fear. “Beandri’s heart stopped. They’re trying to get it beating again.” The plea went out into the world, and people held their breath, praying for a miracle.

On December 18, Bea shared the news no one wanted to hear: Beandri was gone. In a message woven with grief and pride, Bea called her daughter a “vibrant personality” and the last person in South Africa living with progeria. “She was a voice, a beacon for progeria and for everyone who felt different,” Bea wrote. “She never stopped fighting, not for a single day.”

As word of Beandri’s passing spread, TikTok became a canvas of love and loss. “Rest in peace, my sweet friend. I’ll miss you so much,” one person wrote, their words echoing the ache of so many. Strangers and friends alike poured out their hearts, sending love to Beandri’s family and marveling at the impact of a life so brief yet so full.

A Legacy That Lingers

Beandri’s time here was short, but oh, what she did with it. She showed us how to live with every fiber of our being, to love without holding back, and to find joy in the smallest moments. Her laugh could light up a room, her optimism could move mountains, and her determination to lift others up will echo long after her voice has faded.

Her family has asked for quiet as they navigate this unbearable loss, but Beandri’s spirit isn’t something that can be contained. It lives on in every person who heard her story, who watched her videos, who felt her warmth through a screen. She reminded us to hold tight to the time we have, to face every day with courage, and to love with the kind of abandon that makes the world a little brighter.

Beandri’s light hasn’t gone out—it’s just shining somewhere new. And as we carry her story with us, let’s live a little more like she did: bravely, joyfully, and with hearts wide open.