Sahara Ray, Swimwear Designer and Model, Dies at 34
The Australian-American model, known for her swimwear line and past relationship with Justin Bieber, passed away just months after welcoming her first child.
Sahara Ray, an Australian-American swimsuit model and designer, has died at the age of 34. Her family confirmed her passing to TMZ, stating, "She passed away last night surrounded by family at the hospital. She was so loved."
A cause of death has not yet been publicly disclosed. The news comes less than a year after Ray welcomed her first child, a daughter named Snow, in January.
Ray, daughter of big wave surfer Tony Ray, gained public attention in 2016 when she was romantically linked to singer Justin Bieber. The pair were notably photographed during a skinny dipping session that August.
Ray pursued a career in modeling and fashion, moving to Los Angeles to attend The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM). She launched her own swimwear line, Sahara Ray Swim, and was also known for her friendships within the fashion industry, including with Lottie Moss.
In January, Ray shared the birth of her daughter, Snow, expressing her profound love and pride in a social media post. "I can’t believe I made this little miracle with my body. I’m so proud and so in love," she wrote.
Ray had previously shared her struggles with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a condition diagnosed in May 2024, which caused temporary paralysis in her legs. She had revealed that the condition was triggered after being hit by a drunk driver traveling at high speed. At the time, she described the diagnosis as life-altering, detailing her reliance on a wheelchair and walker and her hope for recovery.
In December 2021, Ray also announced that she had entered a 30-day treatment program for drug and alcohol abuse.