Bella Hadid: Biography, Lyme Disease, Net Worth & Relationships

Most people know Bella Hadid as one of the most recognizable faces in fashion, walking runways for Dior and Versace. But behind the glamour lies a decade-long health battle that has quietly redirected her career and priorities. This article traces how Lyme disease influenced her professional decisions, from stepping back from high-profile campaigns to focusing on her own ventures.

Diagnosis: Lyme disease ·
Age: 28 (born Oct 9, 1996) ·
Net worth: Estimated $25 million ·
Social media followers: 59M (Instagram)

Six key facts about Bella Hadid, drawn from verified sources.

What is Bella Hadid’s diagnosis?

Bella Hadid was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2012, a bacterial infection transmitted through tick bites (Biography.com (celebrity biography database)). She has spoken openly about living with the condition since her early teens, noting that symptoms worsened when she turned 18 (Biography.com (celebrity biography database)). Her mother Yolanda Hadid and brother Anwar were also diagnosed, according to multiple reports (Biography.com (celebrity biography database)).

In a 2022 interview with Forbes, Hadid stated: “I have had Lyme disease my whole life and also had ADHD and immune problems” (Forbes (business publication)). Vogue magazine similarly reported that she has lived with depression, anxiety, and Lyme disease since early adolescence (Vogue (fashion authority)).

Was Bella Hadid bitten by a tick?

Lyme disease is caused by the bite of an infected black-legged tick (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)). Bella Hadid has not publicly disclosed the specific circumstances of her infection, but her diagnosis aligns with the typical transmission route.

Can Lyme disease be 100% cured?

According to medical sources, most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a course of antibiotics (CDC (U.S. public health agency)). However, a subset of patients experience lingering symptoms such as fatigue and joint pain — often called post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome. Hadid has described ongoing struggles with these symptoms.

“I have had Lyme disease my whole life and also had ADHD and immune problems.” — Bella Hadid, in Forbes interview

Forbes (business publication)

Is Bella Hadid in a relationship now?

As of early 2025, Bella Hadid is reportedly single (Cosmopolitan (lifestyle magazine)). She had a highly publicized on-again, off-again relationship with musician The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) from 2015 until 2021 (Cosmopolitan (lifestyle magazine)).

Why did Abel and Bella split?

Reports indicate the couple ended their relationship due to conflicting schedules and personal growth (Cosmopolitan (lifestyle magazine)). The split was mutual, and both have moved forward amicably.

Why did Bella quit modeling?

Bella Hadid has not fully retired from modeling, but she has significantly reduced her workload. Health issues, particularly Lyme disease flare-ups, have been the primary driver. Vogue’s 2022 profile highlighted that she lives with chronic symptoms that make the demands of high-fashion shoots difficult (Vogue (fashion authority)).

In recent years she has stepped back from major campaigns to focus on recovery and personal projects. Forbes noted in 2022 that she was exploring entrepreneurship through Kin Euphorics (Forbes (business publication)).

The implication: for Hadid, scaling back is not a loss of ambition but a strategic adaptation. By investing in ventures that allow more control over her schedule, she maintains a public presence without compromising her health.

Who is richer, Gigi or Bella Hadid?

A look at net worth estimates shows Bella’s fortune trails her sister Gigi’s, reflecting differences in career length and brand portfolio breadth. Based on available estimates, Bella Hadid’s net worth is around $25–30 million. HotNewHipHop reported a $25 million figure (HotNewHipHop (entertainment news)), while Social Life Magazine estimated $30 million (Social Life Magazine (lifestyle publication)). Wikipedia listed her 2023 earnings at $19 million (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).

Her sister Gigi Hadid is commonly reported to have a higher net worth, though independent confirmation of that figure is not available from the sources examined here. Both sisters have earned through modeling, endorsements, and business ventures, but Gigi’s longer career and broader brand portfolio likely give her the financial edge.

Net worth estimates for Bella Hadid across multiple publications show a range of $19–30 million, depending on the source and year of assessment.

What this means: Gigi Hadid’s head start in the industry — she signed with IMG two years before Bella — and her broader endorsement portfolio give her the financial advantage, but Bella’s business ventures are closing the gap.

What nationality is Bella Hadid from?

Bella Hadid is American, born in Washington, D.C., in 1996 (Scribd (document repository)). Her father, Mohamed Hadid, is Palestinian; her mother, Yolanda Hadid, is Dutch (Biography.com (celebrity biography database)). She holds dual cultural heritage and was raised in Los Angeles.

How old is Bella Hadid?

She was born on October 9, 1996, making her 28 as of 2025 (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).

Who are Bella Hadid’s siblings?

Bella has an older sister, Gigi Hadid, and a younger brother, Anwar Hadid (Biography.com (celebrity biography database)). Both are also models and public figures.

What is Bella Hadid’s religion?

Bella has described herself as spiritual and was raised Muslim by her father (Cosmopolitan (lifestyle magazine)). She has said she explores different beliefs and does not identify with a single organized religion.

For a deeper look into how chronic illness reshaped her life and work, Bella Hadids Lyme disease journey offers a thorough exploration of her decade-long struggle.

Frequently asked questions

For Bella Hadid, the balancing act between chronic illness and a high-profile career has defined her twenties. The pattern is clear: Lyme disease is a permanent factor in her life, one that has forced her to make choices that prioritize health over the relentless demands of the fashion industry. For readers managing similar health challenges, her story offers a real-world example of adapting without giving up.