Former Bachelor Contestant Hailey Merkt Passes Away at 31 After Battle with Leukemia
Hailey Merkt, a former contestant on The Bachelor, has tragically passed away at the age of 31 following a long and courageous battle with leukemia.
Her passing was confirmed in a heartfelt social media post shared on her personal Instagram page. The post included a picture of Hailey and a touching message that read, “It is with broken hearts we share that our beloved Hailey has passed away after a courageous fight for her life.”
The tribute highlighted Hailey’s bravery and resilience throughout her illness, stating, “Hailey faced her journey with unimaginable bravery, kindness, and selflessness. Despite every medical setback, she remained determined and chose to spend her final days surrounded by family and friends, doing what she loved most, with no regrets.”
The post went on to describe Hailey as “highly entertaining, never dull, and fully present in each moment.” Her vibrant spirit and love for life touched many, and the caption added, “Hailey embraced life with an unmatched zest; her beautiful spirit has impacted countless lives.”
The post also expressed the deep loss felt by those close to her, saying, “Hailey will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her love, laughter, and energetic spirit will always be remembered. Though we mourn her loss, we find comfort in knowing her spirit lives on in everyone she inspired.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up by Hailey’s grieving family to help them through this difficult time. The campaign, which will remain open until August 10, has raised over 112,000 Canadian dollars.
Hailey made her television debut in 2017 during Season 21 of The Bachelor, where she competed for Nick Viall’s affection. She was eliminated in the second week of the competition, but left a lasting impression on her fellow contestants and viewers.
Several Bachelor alums shared their memories of Hailey in the comments section of her tribute post. Danielle Maltby, a fellow contestant from the same season, wrote, “I feel so lucky to know your laugh and thankful to have met the kindest, most delightful person in the strangest places. So much love to all your people.” Raven Gates added, “Oh my goodness! This makes me so sad. Rest easy, Hailey. You will always be remembered.”
Ashley Stern also shared her grief, saying, “I feel lucky to have known such a beautiful, solid soul. I’ll never forget you, Hailey,” while Dominique Alexis wrote, “I hope you’re in a peaceful place, my love. I can’t believe I won’t see you again, but I’ll cherish every memory.”
Hailey had been open about her battle with leukemia, sharing her journey with fans on social media. In April, she celebrated being “leukemia-free,” giving hope to many. However, just three months later, her health took a turn for the worse. According to the GoFundMe page, after her bone marrow transplant, Hailey was initially told she had nine months to focus on healing, but tragically, leukemia cells returned after only six weeks.
Throughout her fight, Hailey continued to document her experiences, posting updates about her treatment and moments of joy, like a photo of her smiling during treatment in October 2023, which she called a “rare moment.” Her social media had previously been filled with selfies, dog pictures, and glimpses into her modeling career and everyday life.
Despite her struggles, Hailey’s positivity and spirit remained strong, and her legacy of love and strength will live on in the hearts of those who knew her. Rest in peace, Hailey.
George W. Bush celebrates the arrival of his grandson, named in tribute to his great-grandfathers
Former U.S. President George W. Bush, now 78, joyfully announced the birth of his new grandson on social media.
On Tuesday, August 6, Bush shared a heartfelt photo on Instagram to celebrate the arrival of his daughter Barbara Pierce Bush’s second child with husband Craig Coyne. The couple, who already have a 2-year-old daughter, Cora Georgia, welcomed their son, Edward Finn, just days earlier.
In the sweet photo, Barbara and Craig are seen in a hospital bed, tenderly holding their newborn as they gaze at him with joy. “Welcome to the world, Edward Finn Coyne. @laurawbush and I are proud grandparents of our newest blessing, born on August 4 and lovingly named in honor of his great-grandfathers,” Bush captioned the post. He added, “Congratulations to Barbara, Craig, and big sister Cora Georgia.”
Barbara’s twin sister, Jenna Bush Hager, was the first to share the happy news on Monday, August 5. Jenna, co-anchor of the Today show, expressed her excitement about becoming an aunt again on Instagram, writing, “My sissy had a little mister and I fell madly in love with Edward Finn! ❤️💗👼.”
Jenna’s post included a series of photos from the family’s special moments after Edward’s birth. In one, Jenna is seen feeding her new nephew, while another shows Barbara cradling Edward with Jenna admiring the scene. A third photo captures Edward peacefully resting in his mother’s arms.
Though Jenna didn’t share specific birth details, one of the photos shows Edward wearing a hat from NYU Langone Health, suggesting Barbara may have given birth at the prestigious New York City hospital.
This is not the first time George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, have expressed their joy over becoming grandparents. When Barbara and Craig welcomed their daughter Cora in September 2021, the Bushes released a statement to announce the news.
“With full hearts, @laurawbush and I are delighted to announce the birth of our new granddaughter. Barbara gave birth to Cora Georgia Coyne on September 27, 2021, in Maine – not far from our family home where Barbara and Craig were married,” the couple shared at the time. “Cora is healthy and adorable, and we are proud and grateful.”
Now, with the addition of Edward Finn, the Bush family has even more to celebrate!
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