Cristina Sanz, known for her role on the A&E reality series "Born This Way," has died at the age of 36. Her family confirmed her passing on Instagram, stating she suffered from sudden cardiac arrest.
Sanz was at her day program when the medical emergency occurred. She was transported to a nearby hospital, where she died despite resuscitation efforts, according to her parents. "It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that our daughter, Cristina, passed away Monday morning," her family wrote in a tribute. "She suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while at her Day Program and was rushed to the hospital. Despite the doctors' best efforts to stabilize her heart, she did not survive. We are grateful that we were able to be by her side at the end."
The family described her death as a "total shock" and "unexpected." They added, "We will forever treasure the gift of her life. We will all carry in our hearts the wonderful 'Cristina moments' that she gave us."
"Born This Way" premiered in 2015 and followed the lives of seven young adults born with Down syndrome. Sanz appeared in all four seasons of the show, which concluded in 2019. The series documented her life, including her relationship with her then-husband, Angel, and featured her parents, Mariano and Beatriz.
Fans of the show shared their condolences online, recalling Sanz's impact. Many expressed sadness and offered prayers for her family. Sanz and her husband divorced in 2021, with the COVID-19 pandemic cited as a factor that strained their relationship.