Yolanda Hadid Battles Chronic Lyme Disease for Over a Decade While Spending Hundreds of Thousands on Global Treatments in Her Pursuit of a Cure

Yolanda Hadid, a Dutch-American model and TV personality, has spent a staggering $200,000 traveling the globe in search of relief from her debilitating symptoms.

It wasn’t until 2012, after extensive testing at a Belgian clinic, that Yolanda was finally diagnosed with chronic neurological Lyme disease.

Initially, she hoped that a 90-day course of IV antibiotics would provide a cure. Unfortunately, for those in the late stages of chronic Lyme, this was merely a hopeful but ultimately unfulfilled promise.

The following years were incredibly challenging for Yolanda.

Supported by her children—Gigi, 29, Bella, 27, and Anwar, 25—she decided to go public with her struggle.

Her aim was to help others who couldn’t afford the expensive and exotic treatments she had pursued.

Bella and Anwar also suffer from the same illness, which has affected many celebrities in recent years, including Justin Bieber, Shania Twain, Avril Lavigne, Ben Stiller, Alec Baldwin, Amy Schumer, and recently, Serena Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian.

Yolanda’s battle began in 2012 when her symptoms became too severe to manage.

She checked into Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles for a thorough series of tests, including endoscopies, PET scans, MRIs, and more.

Despite these exhaustive efforts, no one could pinpoint the cause of her suffering.

Yolanda wrote in her memoir about the frustration of having access to top medical minds but still lacking a proper diagnosis. An infectious disease doctor suggested Lyme disease, but the tests came back negative.

A Global Search for Answers

Determined to find a cure, Yolanda embarked on a global search.

Her first stop was Belgium, where doctors detected high levels of heavy metals and an active infection in her brain. She underwent a 90-day course of IV antibiotics.

Next, she visited the Sponaugle Wellness Institute in Florida, where treatments included ozone therapy and colonics.

She later sought help in Switzerland, Korea, Singapore, Mexico, and even Peru. Each location offered different treatments, from ozone therapy to stem cell procedures and holistic remedies.

The Celebrity Struggle with Lyme Disease

Many celebrities have shared their battles with Lyme disease.

Justin Bieber revealed his diagnosis in early 2020, attributing his 2019 struggles to the disease.

Shania Twain retrained her voice after developing Lyme-related dysphonia during her 2003 tour. Avril Lavigne spent five months bedridden in 2015, describing the experience as a “battle of a lifetime.” Yolanda Hadid and her daughter Bella have also been vocal about their ongoing fight with the illness.

Symptoms to Watch For

Lyme disease can manifest in various ways.

Early signs include a characteristic bull’s-eye rash, though it doesn’t always appear.

Flu-like symptoms such as headaches, muscle pain, and fatigue are common. If untreated, more serious symptoms like joint pain, facial paralysis, memory problems, and eye issues can develop.

Yolanda’s Continued Advocacy

Throughout her journey, Yolanda has remained committed to raising awareness and advocating for others suffering from Lyme disease.

Despite the many treatments and setbacks, she continues to share her experiences in hopes of improving medical recognition and accessibility for all those affected.