'Have courage, and be kind': Sahara Ray's personal mantra that helped her fight back after being hit by a truck travelling at 80 miles per hour

Australian model and swimwear designer Sahara Ray, who was once linked to Justin Bieber, has died at the age of 34, months after welcoming a baby girl. Her family confirmed that she died in hospital on October 18, surrounded by loved ones. The cause of her death has not been disclosed.

Ray had built a career as a model and entrepreneur, gaining attention for her swimwear designs and social media presence. Following news of her death, an old interview in which she spoke about her personal philosophy has resurfaced online.

What was Sahara Ray's personal mantra?

In a 2015 interview with GQ, Sahara Ray was asked about the mantra she followed while navigating life's challenges. She said, "What is your mantra? Have courage, and be kind. Where there is kindness, there is goodness and where there is goodness, there is magic."




Ray built a following through her modelling photographs, swimwear designs and glimpses of her life shared on Instagram. Her account had around 899k followers. She also launched her own swimwear label, Sahara Ray Swim.

She came into the spotlight in 2016 after photographs of her spending time with Justin Bieber during a holiday in Hawaii made headlines. Ray was also previously linked to Australian singer Cody Simpson.

Sahara Ray's battle with Guillain-Barré syndrome after a serious accident

In May 2024, Ray publicly revealed that she had been diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare neurological condition in which the immune system attacks the peripheral nerves. She also spoke about the serious health challenges she experienced following a car accident involving a drunk driver.

According to UK Celebrity News, Sahara Ray said the driver had been travelling at around 80 miles per hour when the incident occurred. She described being left paralysed from her upper thighs down to her feet, making it difficult for her to move around independently. She said she needed a wheelchair and a walker to get around.

Guillain-Barré syndrome can affect movement and, in severe cases, cause significant muscle weakness or paralysis. The condition can require extensive medical care and rehabilitation, although the effects vary from person to person.

Sahara Ray welcomed a baby girl months before her death

Motherhood had become a new chapter in Sahara Ray's life in the months before her death. In what is understood to be her last known Instagram post, she shared an emotional message about her daughter, describing the little girl as “my whole heart”.

The post shared a personal glimpse into her life away from modelling and the public attention that had followed her over the years.

Sahara Ray was the daughter of Australian surfing legend Tony Ray. She spent much of her childhood moving between Australia, California and Hawaii, experiences that shaped her life across different places and cultures.

In recent years, she had largely stayed away from the public eye. Her last known public appearance was at the Ashton Michael RTW 10-Year Anniversary Show in Los Angeles in November 2023. She attended the event with musician Mod Sun, whose real name is Derek Ryan Smith.

The two were later spotted together in Malibu in June 2024 and were romantically linked, although they kept their relationship largely private.