It’s heart-wrenching to share that beloved former Bachelor contestant Hailey Merkt has passed away at the young age of 31 after a valiant fight with leukemia. Her personal Instagram account announced her passing, capturing the essence of her spirit and the deep impact she left on those who knew her.
“It is with broken hearts we share that our beloved Hailey has passed away after a courageous fight for her life,” said the heartfelt message.
Hailey braved her battle with the utmost bravery, kindness, and selflessness. Her courage, determination, and will to live shone brilliantly in the face of every deadline given by her doctors. She spent her final days doing what she loved most, surrounded by family and friends, without a single regret.
Described as “highly entertaining, never dull, and fully present in the moment,” Hailey’s zest for life touched countless lives.
“Hailey embraced life with an unmatched zest; her beautiful spirit has touched countless lives,” read the caption on the post announcing her passing. “Hailey will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her love, laughter, and energetic spirit will always be remembered in our hearts. We are heartbroken over her death, but we find comfort in the knowledge that her spirit will live on in everyone she inspired.”
“Rest in peace, Hailey,” the post concluded.
Hailey’s family, dealing with this profound loss, has set up a GoFundMe to support them during this hard time. The campaign, which will remain open until August 10, has already raised over 112,208 Canadian dollars.
Hailey first graced our screens on Season 21 of The Bachelor in 2017, vying for Nick Viall’s heart. Sadly, she was eliminated in the second week of the competition. But even in her brief appearance, she left a lasting impression on fellow contestants and viewers alike.
Reflecting on Hailey
“I feel so lucky to know your laugh and thankful to have met the kindest, most delightful person in the strangest places,” wrote her friend and fellow Bachelor contestant, Danielle Maltby. “So much love to all your people.”
Raven Gates shared her sorrow, “Oh my goodness! That makes me so sad to hear this. I was really hoping she would get better shortly. You can relax, Hailey. You’ll be remembered always.”
Ashley Stern expressed her heartfelt sentiment, “I feel lucky to have known such a beautiful solid soul and had such lovely conversations with her. I’ll never forget you, Hailey.”
Dominique Alexis summed up the depth of their connection, “I hope you are in a beautiful, peaceful place, my love. I can’t believe I won’t see you again, but I’ll treasure every memory.”
Hailey’s Fight with Leukemia
Hailey candidly shared her battle with leukemia online, garnering support and hope from her followers. In April, she celebrated being “leukemia free,” a beacon of hope for everyone who followed her journey.
But life, as it often does, threw another curveball. Three months later, she faced a significant setback.
“After the bone marrow transplant had taken, she was told she had nine months to not even think about cancer. But, in truth, she only had six weeks before getting the devastating news that leukemia cells were back and moving fast,” read the poignant message on her GoFundMe page.
“Her first reaction was to say, ‘I don’t care about myself anymore, but I can’t bear being the cause of so much pain for the people I love.”
Throughout her fight, Hailey shared pictures and videos of her progress and challenges. A photo from October 2023 showed her smiling during treatment, labeled as a “rare moment.”
Before her illness took center stage, Hailey’s social media was a testament to her vibrant life, filled with selfies, photos of her beloved dog, modeling shots, and glimpses of her daily adventures.
In conclusion, Hailey’s spirit, bravery, and unyielding zest for life have left an indelible mark on all who knew her. Rest in peace, Hailey. Your light will continue to shine in the hearts of many.
