Bachelor Nation is mourning one of its own. Former contestant on The Bachelor Season 21, Hailey Merkt, lost her battle with cancer on July 26. She was 31.
Hailey’s family announced her passing from leukemia on her Instagram page. Hailey had publicly revealed in 2023 that she was battling the disease of the body’s blood-forming tissues.
Her loved ones wrote, “It is with broken hearts we share that our beloved Hailey has passed away after a courageous fight for her life.”
“Strength, grace, and selflessness”
Her loved ones wrote that Hailey tackled her illness with “strength, grace, and selflessness. Her determination catapulted her past every timeline doctors gave her.”
Choosing to surround herself with friends and family, Hailey spent her final days “doing what she cherished most.” She is remembered as someone who “lived fully in the present moment,” while being “hysterically funny.”
The message was accompanied by a carousel of photos showing Hailey in happier times with her dog.
When she appeared on The Bachelor in 2017, Hailey competed for Nick Viall’s affections. She was eliminated in week two.
Following the news of her diagnosis with acute myeloid leukemia, Hailey kept her friends and fans informed about her medical treatments by posting online updates. In October 2023, she posted a photo of herself appearing sick and gaunt, but she still managed a smile.
On November 28, 2023, she announced that she was in remission and posted happily to her Instagram Story. “There was a 2% chance of this treatment working,” she said, “and it f*cking did! I am in remission!!!”
Sadly, months after announcing she was “leukemia free,” her doctors broke the news that the cancer had aggressively returned. She passed away last Friday.
Our hearts and condolences go out to Hailey’s friends and family.
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