Bella Hadid, daughter of Yolanda Hadid, is getting candid about how her ongoing battle with Lyme disease has reshaped the way she sees her career and herself.
In a new conversation with sister Gigi Hadid for Vogue Italia, published Feb. 23, the 29-year-old model revealed that she had to turn down “every job for almost a year” while undergoing treatment for the tick-borne illness. The pause came at a pivotal time in her career and forced her to step away from modeling and acting commitments.
“It was emotional because you feel disposable,” Bella admitted, describing how difficult it was to reject opportunities while focusing on her health.
Bella was diagnosed with Lyme disease at 16 and has been in and out of treatment for years. The illness can cause joint pain, brain fog, anxiety and extreme fatigue. Her mother, Yolanda Hadid, and brother, Anwar Hadid, have also been diagnosed with the condition.
Learning to Say No After Years of Saying Yes
During the Vogue Italia interview, Bella reflected on how her relationship with work had become unsustainable. She said therapy helped her separate her personal value from her professional success.
“For so long, saying no to a job was like who was I to say no to anything?” she said. Over time, she realized she could be more selective about the projects she takes on and prioritize working with people she trusts and respects. “And that’s good enough. And I’m good enough,” she added.
Ahead of her return to Paris Fashion Week and the 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, Bella underwent treatment last September. She later walked in Saint Laurent’s Spring/Summer 2026 show, marking a major runway comeback after missing New York Fashion Week.She has also shared pieces of her health journey on social media. In September 2025, Bella posted photos from a hospital bed, apologizing to fans for going “MIA” while receiving care. According to Page Six, she has previously described experiencing “medical anxiety” related to managing her chronic illness and reposted messages about the realities of living with a condition that is often misunderstood.
Finding Balance Beyond the Runway
Bella told Vogue Italia that spending time in Texas with her horses and her dog has helped her build what she calls “a real life” outside of fashion. Returning to work after taking that space now feels more fulfilling.
In August 2023, she wrote on Instagram that trying to keep up with expectations while feeling unwell had “taken a toll” in ways she “can’t really explain.” Her mother Yolanda has publicly supported her throughout the journey, previously calling her a “survivor” and a “warrior” amid treatment updates.
While turning down nearly a year’s worth of work left her feeling vulnerable, Bella said the experience ultimately shifted her perspective. Stepping back allowed her to reassess boundaries and redefine success on her own terms.
As she told Gigi in the interview, learning to say no helped her embrace a belief she once struggled with: “I’m good enough.”
